Yes. The Riot MMO will be free. This was confirmed by Greg Street during a YouTube interview with Kanon and Greg himself. Keep in mind, all details about the Riot MMO are subject to change. The game is still in early development. As a result, details such as business models and in-game features are not set in stone. In this article, we analyze the interview and what monetization methods the Riot MMO might use.
Table of Contents
Who Is Greg?
This exclusive Riot MMO interview is nice and all. Nonetheless, some may not know who Greg is and why we should take his word seriously. Greg Street is the former vice president and executive producer of the Riot MMO. With the MMO’s growing team, Greg held the most senior position. He likely monitored the finances, employment, and lead the other lead producers on the team. Titles such as vice president and executive producers of AAA projects don’t come without considerable experience.
Previously, Greg was the lead gameplay designer of League of Legends. He was promoted to design director and worked on other projects such as Arcane, the Realms of Runeterra book and more.
Greg’s experience before Riot Games includes Lead System Designer on World of Warcraft and Lead Game Designer on Age of Empires.
It should be clear now that Greg Street possesses substantial experience and knowledge in game development. Therefore, as the former Vice President of the Riot MMO, his words held considerable weight.
Why Riot Decided on Free-to-Play
The Riot MMO team decided on free-to-play monetization because they believe that is the best business model for them. There are pros and cons to both free-to-play and a box price. Of course, the pros outweighed the cons.
Among many, the main reason the Riot MMORPG will be free to play is because of their target audience. Riot games traditionally aims to have a large player base. Naturally, the revenue per player is lower than a subscription model or initial box price. Still, it is offset by a much larger player base since everyone can afford free.
Riot Games will likely sell in-game cosmetics. We don’t know exactly how that will look. We imagine the Riot MMO will have an in-game shop. The shop may feature daily and weekly items on rotation. It is also possible the shop will primarily sells cosmetics available at all times. That is generally how League of Legends arranges their skins. With the exception of legacy, event, mythic skins and a few others.
The Riot MMO Target Audience
The main target audience of the Riot MMO are casual gamers. Riot will make their MMO beginner friendly. The free-to-play model will attract casuals. Typically, up front costs and monthly subscriptions are a deterrent for many. So, the free-to-play model will help retain customers. To add to this, Riot Games optimizes their games very well, as a AAA+ studio should. With this, casual gamers should not expect to require high spec PCs in order to run the upcoming Riot MMOPRG.
Let’s not forget that Riot is famous for employing an ‘easy to play, hard to master’ approach to their games. We do believe the MMO will feature challenging dungeons and raids. Hardcore video game players will also exist. Not to mention the pre-existing lore and loyalty the world of Runeterra possesses. We are confident there will plenty of room for mount collectors, skin collectors, completionists, PvP leaderboard climbers and more!
Although Greg has stated multiple times, this game isn’t for everyone, it’s potential reach will be tremendous. He also stated, the Riot MMO will not be a niche product. Therefore, we can expect the team attempt to master the tried and true fundamentals of game development. In other words, to use what has worked as industry standard and build upon that. That is what Riot Games has always done. From League of Legends, to Valorant, to Legends of Runeterra, etc. We do not expect Riot Games to reinvent the wheel here.
Benefits of a Free-To-Play Model
- The free-to-play video game business model will attract more players. This is assuming the quality of the game isn’t compromised given the free-to-play model decision. If the game is received well, its potential growth is higher than buy to play because players who cannot afford and choses not to buy will always be present.
- Another benefit of the free-to-play model is it provides players the flexibility to play as they choose. Conversely, a subscription model would be the opposite. There is a friction that exists between the player’s availability and the daily cost of the subscription. Normally, we want to maximize the value of our subscription game time. As a result, friction arises when external circumstances prevent players from maximizing the value of their subscription time. The free-to-play model in isolation does not present this issue.
- The monetization of free-to-play games relies on selling in-game features and services. Because these services do not have a shelf life, developers don’t have to worry about the box price revenue failing to cover upkeep costs over time.
Downsides of a Free-to-Play Model
- By definition, games with a free-to-play model must use monetization methods that do not include a box price or a subscription. In this case, the games will usually include an in-game shop. The shop will probably sell credits for real money. The in-game credits will remain on the account’s balance until they’re used. These credits will be used to purchase a variety of in-game items, skins, and/or services.
The downside is the complexity and controversy that can come with selling in-game items. Generally, in western gaming culture, there is an aversion to pay-to-win or pay-for-power features. It introduces an ethical dilemma, where those who have less money to spend are more likely to lose.
Furthermore, there must be a delicate balance of developers resources allocated between new gameplay content and new purchasable content. If players feel the ratio is considerably skewed in favor of purchasable content, the relationship with the community may suffer. - Developers must continually produce new and creative purchasable content in order to cover their expenses at minimum. In order to successfully sell enough the developers needs to ensure the business end of the their department is operating as efficiently as possible.
- Free-to-play game attract bots. Also known as 3rd party programs. These bots are usually coded by nefarious individuals. Their intent is to extract in-game resources to sell for real life currency. Sometimes, players use bots to accumulate in-game resources for a player’s pleasure only, although less often is the case. The presence of bots negatively impacts the enjoyment of the game. It wastes the developers resources such as increasing marginal server costs and salary costs to reduce the presence of bots. Furthermore, an imbalance in-game economy could arise from the influx of items for sale. Developers would have to combat economy instability as well.
Riot MMO Monetization
According to Greg Street, the Riot MMO plans to launch as a free-to-play game. It will be beginner friendly, and easily accessible. The MMORPG will have microtransactions (MTXs) to support their costs. In terms of in-game monetization, Greg Street only confirmed, purchasable cosmetics.
Nonetheless, we feel confident the Riot MMO will sell more than just cosmetics. The Riot MMORPG team has several options at their disposal.
“We’ve done the math, and I think there is a world that works out. You can have enough players who are willing to pay enough on cosmetics to fund a really big game“
Greg Street
Cosmetic Only Battle Pass?
You don’t often associate Riot Games with battle passes. Although, recently they have adopted versions of it in Valorant, League of Legends, and Legends of Runeterra. The Battle pass monetization model appears to be successful for game developers. Now, traditionally we have not seen Battle Passes integrated into MMORPGs. Still, there’s no reason why Riot Games could not include a battle pass, if they so desired.
If a battle pass was included, it might look something like this: A battle pass seasons might last roughly three months. Each battle pass will encompass a theme. The battle pass will contain levels. Say for example, 75 levels. Each day you log in you will be rewarded with a battle pass level. The battle pass could contain two tiers. A paid tier with its’ own unique rewards and a free tier with its own unique rewards. If so, then without a doubt the paid battle pass tier would contain considerably more rewards. In fact, the free tier might not provide any rewards for several levels.
Again, we’re not overly confident this will see the light of day. Still, Riot Games will have to sell something, if the game launches as free-to-play.
Microsoft Game Pass
Riot Games has partnered with Microsoft to integrate Riot Games rewards with Xbox Game Pass. If you sign up for the Xbox Game Pass, you will be entitled to receive rewards on all of Riot’s in-house developed games. These include
- League of Legends
- Valorant
- Legends of Runeterra
- Teamfight Tactics
If this partnership persists when the Riot MMO is released, we are pretty sure Riot Games will include the upcoming MMORPG with Xbox Game Pass.
Fortunately, the rewards are not pay to win or pay for power. Unless you consider XP boosts as pay for power. Generally, the rewards provide players with access to champions, agents, cards, or skins. As a result, we can expect skin rewards along with an Xbox Game Pass purchase for the Riot MMO.
In addition, the Xbox Game Pass rewards are incredibly generous. The rewards frequently provide players with ‘day one’ rewards. For example, you will receive particular rewards the day the content is released. Of course not all game content can be contained in the Game Pass.
For the Riot MMO to fully benefit from the current model of the Xbox Game Pass we expect to see the Riot MMO cosmetics arrange in this type of manner.
Possible Riot MMO Cosmetic Tiers
A baseline skin set might be made. It would be available at all times. They could be upgraded themed set of common gear. For example, a Dauntless Vanguard skin set made always available. Over time, the Riot MMO might occasionally add to the set before tapering off. Perhaps the skin set might contain 20 skins. Furthermore, the Riot MMO may have themed skins that come around once per year.
So if the Riot MMO offers services such as server transfers and monthly theme skins, then perhaps we’ll receive monthly theme skins. For example, Ionia’s Lunar Revels themed skins around Chinese New Year. If a player is subscribed to the Xbox Game Pass during the release of the skin availability, the player will be immediately rewarded with the skin.
On top of that, there is a good chance we will see a XP boost of some kind. If so, we imagine an upper limit would exist. For example, a limitation where the XP boost expires after 15 in-game hours, or 10 level ups.
Will the Riot MMO be Pay to Win?
Greg Street has explicitly stated the Riot MMO will not be pay to win. Additionally, pay for power will not exist either. Riot Games has strived for fair play and respect for their players’ time.
League of Legends is a great example. Skins have traditionally been only accessible with the purchase RP (Riot Points). League generosity increased dramatically after the hextech crafting update on January 13, 2016. From that point onwards, players could unlock skins with playtime, indirectly. Some limitations are imposed such as random champion rewards and time gating crafting reagents.
We expect the Riot MMORPG to treat player’s time in a fair manner. Ideally, those who wish to play without paying or those who don’t have high disposable income aren’t too likely to feel deprived.
General Thoughts on the F2P Model
Interesting takeaways include Greg Street’s statement from the Kanon Interview,
“We don’t know for sure what our business model is going to be. But yes we can launch a game with just cosmetics.”
Not to mention, players may have to put up with gear earned in-game through content that looks noticeably inferior in appearance to those in the shop.
Still, we expect the Riot MMO to have an incredibly generous free-to-play content rich experience.
Will Riot MMO Be Free?
It’s very likely the Riot MMO will be free. There are several reasons that suggest Riot MMO Free to Play will be upon us. As mentioned, the former executive producer, Greg Street stated the MMO has a good chance of being free to play based on Riot Games game model. Moreover, the Riot MMORPG will target a large audience. What’s more is Greg mentioned free to play models tend to work well in this regard.
Is Riot MMO Going to be Free, is a good question. We do not know with certainty yet. This page and others will be updated as soon as the word is out.
