Riot Games is always looking and moving forward — just look at all of the changes already being worked on for Season 4. But sometimes you need to just stop and take it all in — everything you've accomplished — and that's exactly what the company is doing. Riot Games announced today that the 2013 League of Legends World Championship was the most-watched eSports even in history.
Riot noted that over 32 million eSports fans watched Korea's SK Telecom T1 defeat China's Royal Club on October 4, which also happened to be in front of a sold-out crowd at the Los Angeles Staples Center. At peak, more than 8.5 million fans tuned in at the same time. Comparatively, the 2012 World Championship was watched by 8.2 million fans, with 1.1 million watching concurrently.
"But more important than the numbers was how it felt to be a part of this event. Sure, the fans gathered in the Staples Center had fun. But all around the world, dedicated eSports buffs crowded around televisions and monitors in dorm rooms, bars, and living rooms to experience this event as a community. Five viewing parties topped 1,000 people," Riot added.
"We’re beyond excited to share our love for competitive play with such a passionate and supportive eSports community."
Looking ahead, Riot is doing their best to improve this experience, starting with the Challenger Series. Running in tandem with the League Championship Series (LCS), the Challenger Series will support rising teams seeking entry into the NA and EU LCS. Think of it as a sort of minor leagues for pro gaming, as amateur players will compete in weekly matchups broadcasted live.
And, of course, we also have a bunch of new changes coming to the game, many of which have already been detailed. Riot recently announced that the Season 4 World Championship is going to be held in South Korea.
