League of Legends (LoL), often called League, is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game where two teams of five players compete to destroy the opposing team's base. Each player controls a "champion" with unique abilities and playstyles. During a match, champions gain strength by earning experience points and gold, which are used to purchase items. The game combines strategic team-based gameplay with fast-paced combat. It was inspired by Defense of the Ancients, a custom map for Warcraft III.
Riot Games, founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, developed and published League of Legends. The game was officially released in October 2009 and has since become free-to-play, with revenue generated through cosmetic items and optional account upgrades. League of Legends is available on Windows and macOS. The prices for champions range from 225 Blue Essence (BE) / 260 Riot Points (RP) to 3150 BE / 975 RP, depending on their difficulty and release date. Riot Points (RP) are purchased with real-world money and used for cosmetic items. As of early 2024, Riot Games has planned updates for League of Legends including new champions, skins, and game modes.