Riot Games has recently unveiled its plans for the upcoming 2023 season, which include significant changes for its esports divisions, such as League of Legends Esports (LoL Esports) and Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). To prioritize the players, Riot Games has outlined its vision to become the leading game company in the world by creating unparalleled esports and entertainment experiences firmly rooted in the gaming world.
A recent post published by Riot Games said, “We truly believe that we are building the Future of Sport at Riot Games. Our growing audience is young, connected, social, playing games, and watching tons of gaming content on streaming platforms.”
Riot Games has introduced a new esports offering known as the “Virtual Pass,” which aims to revolutionize the gaming experience. The Virtual Pass is expected to include a range of digital and physical products, such as in-game cosmetics and exclusive Worlds merchandise, that will undoubtedly enhance players’ engagement with the game.
Riot Games’ Virtual Pass
Riot Games’ Executive Vice President, Dave Needham, recently discussed the challenges of monetizing the fandom surrounding esports events, which have a global reach rather than being confined to a particular city. In response, Riot Games has developed a new virtual ticket program called the Virtual Pass, aimed at enhancing the online fan experience while generating revenue.
The upcoming Worlds 2023 will serve as a testing ground for the Virtual Pass, which seeks to connect both online and in-person fan engagement. The product aims to deliver a rich online Worlds viewing experience, provide fans with a bundle of products and services at an exceptional value, and offer more ways to express fandom and excitement. Additionally, it seeks to support esports team revenues.
The Virtual Pass for League of Legends Worlds 2023 will feature a combination of digital and physical products, including an exclusive Worlds skin variant, an in-game event pass, unique physical Worlds merchandise, and digital and physical goods from sponsors.
Future of Esports
Riot Games, a popular video game developer, has firmly believed in building the future of sports. Their primary audience consists of young, connected individuals who highly engage in gaming activities and watch streaming platforms. After a decade of experience, Riot Games strongly understands its fans’ expectations regarding sports experiences. They also have a clear vision and plan to make esports a sustainable business for all professional teams and stakeholders.
The company is heavily invested in esports. Riot Games is developing and investing in various capabilities, including their watch platform and virtual ticketing systems, with the expectation that these will provide an exceptional experience for their players, fans, and teams. With the upcoming Worlds and the VCT events this year, Riot Games aims to bring this vision to life and continue expanding it until 2024.
In conclusion, Riot Games dedicates itself to creating a sustainable and enjoyable sports experience for esports fans and invests its resources to make it a reality. With their growing audience and innovative capabilities, they are optimistic about the future of esports and the role they will play in shaping it.
