October 27, 2009
LEAGUE OF LEGENDS NOW AVAILABLE IN STORES AND
ONLINE
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Enters
Pre-Season on Windows PC with a Launch Celebration
Riot Games, an independent developer and
publisher of premium online video games, has launched the League of Legends®
"Pre-Season" for the highly anticipated multiplayer online battle arena game for
Windows PC. League of Legends is rated "T" for Teen and now available for free
via download at
www.leagueoflegends.com. A Collector’s Pack is also available for
$29.99 via download and at retail outlets nationwide through Riot’s retail
campaign partner THQ Inc.
League of Legends will operate in seasons to help
facilitate the best in competitive gaming and communities. The League of Legends
“Pre-Season” will allow time for players to learn the game, build teams, as well
as develop advanced strategies and tactics, when Season One begins in the first
half of 2010. Players can also look forward to the addition of clans, teams,
tournaments, ladders, draft mode, as well as additional content such as new
Champions and maps, between now and the start of Season One.
The League of Legends Collector’s Pack,
containing exclusive items such as 20 Champions, a selection of Runes and $10
worth of Riot Points, is now available for download at
www.leagueoflegends.com.
The retail League of Legends Collector’s Pack available at all major retail
outlets for $29.99, additionally includes an exclusive poster-size fold out map
of Valoran with detailed champion portraits and bios on the other side, a $10
pre-paid game card for in-game purchases and an exclusive champion skin.
In celebration of the launch of the game, Riot is
unlocking all 40 champions for immediate play on October 27 for a limited time.
During the launch celebration, Collector’s Pack customers will get an experience
boost, allowing them to level quickly. After the Launch Celebration ends, the
in-game store will go live and owners of the Collector’s Pack will continue to
have access to the exclusive items packaged in the collector’s edition. All
players will be able to unlock exclusive items and content through the in-game
store by using Influence points earned by playing during the Launch Celebration
and after, or by purchasing Riot Points.
"I am excited to welcome all gamers to join us in
League of Legends, which builds on the fast-paced, team based, player vs. player
gameplay pioneered in DotA-Allstars, one of the most popular mods of all time,"
Brandon Beck, co-founder and CEO, Riot Games, said. "The launch of the League of
Legends Pre-Season marks the beginning to providing our dedicated community epic
competitive online gameplay and exciting new content for years to come."
"League of Legends’ availability at all major
video game retailers is an important milestone in our strategic relationship
with Riot Games," said Wim Stocks, senior vice president of strategic
partnerships for THQ, League of Legends’ retail campaign partner. “THQ has been
a leading innovator in the bridging of online games with traditional retailers.
This unique approach to game distribution continues to offer players exclusive
in-game content that enhances their game experience.”
League of Legends, which was nominated for the
Game Critics Awards Best Strategy Game of E3, combines elements of role-playing
and strategy genres with addictive battle action. The game brings accessible,
replayable and competitive gameplay into a stylized universe that deepens with
the player’s commitment. Built by a veteran development team and the original
creators of DotA Allstars, one of the world’s most popular player-made mods,
League of Legends is a unique and genre bending experience. The game will be
operated as a live service that will be frequently updated with new features,
champions, maps and additional content as suggested by the community.
A player in League of Legends takes on the role
of a Summoner – a gifted spell caster who has the power to bring forth a
champion to fight as his or her avatar in Valoran’s Fields of Justice. As the
Summoner controls the champion in combat, it also influences the outcome of the
match through the use of spells, masteries and runes. Once a match is over, the
Summoner gains Influence Points and Riot Points that can be used to assist their
champions in future battles. Influence Points will be earned by simply playing
the game, while Riot Points will be available for purchase with real money.
League of Legends offers endless permutations of
builds, strategies and combinations that make the game extremely competitive and
interesting for those focused on competitive play.
