For over a decade, League of Legends (LoL), developed by Riot Games, has stood as a titan in the gaming world—one of the most-played, most-watched, and most-discussed games globally. Yet, despite its prominence, a surprising number of casual gamers and even some newcomers continue to ask: Is League of Legends an MMORPG?
It’s an understandable question—after all, LoL features fantasy characters, epic battles, and complex lore. But the short answer is no, League of Legends is not an MMORPG. To understand why this confusion persists, we need to unpack what defines an MMORPG and how LoL fits into the broader gaming landscape.
MMORPG vs. MOBA: What’s the Difference?
MMORPG stands for Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. Titles like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, and Elder Scrolls Online fall into this category. These games typically feature:
- Persistent online worlds shared by thousands of players
- Character progression through leveling and loot
- Open-world exploration
- A strong emphasis on role-playing and story immersion
By contrast, League of Legends is classified as a MOBA—a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game. MOBAs are defined by:
- 5v5 team-based matches on fixed maps (most notably Summoner’s Rift)
- Pre-match character selection with no persistent progression
- Fast-paced, session-based gameplay (30–45 minutes per match)
- Strategic combat and objectives like destroying enemy structures
LoL lacks the persistent, open-world environment and long-term character development that MMORPGs are built upon. Instead, it revolves around competitive matches that reset after each game.
Why the Confusion Exists
Several elements blur the lines and lead to the misconception:
- Rich Lore and World-Building:
LoL has an expansive universe known as Runeterra, with dozens of regions, factions, and champions whose stories intertwine. Riot has released comics, short stories, and even the Emmy-winning Netflix series Arcane—all of which feel like the storytelling backbone of an RPG or MMORPG. - Champion Variety and Customization:
With over 160 champions, each with unique abilities and playstyles, players often feel a deep personal connection to their mains—similar to how players identify with avatars in MMORPGs. - The Rise of Riot’s Other Titles:
Riot Games has expanded its portfolio beyond LoL with titles like Legends of Runeterra, Teamfight Tactics, and Ruined King: A League of Legends Story—the latter being a single-player RPG. With Riot also working on a true MMORPG set in Runeterra (confirmed but still in development), the brand association gets even stronger.
What About “League of Legends: Wild Rift”?
LoL’s mobile counterpart, Wild Rift, is also a MOBA, not an MMORPG. While it offers a streamlined interface and mobile-friendly controls, its core gameplay loop and structure remain consistent with the PC version.
Riot’s MMORPG is Coming—But It’s Not LoL
The good news for MMO fans is that Riot Games is indeed developing an MMORPG set in the League of Legends universe. Confirmed by Riot’s VP of IP and Entertainment Greg Street (formerly the lead systems designer for World of Warcraft), the upcoming game will explore the world of Runeterra in an entirely new, persistent way.
But this new MMORPG will be a separate title—not a reimagining of League of Legends itself. While still untitled and without a release date, this game promises to finally fulfill the RPG potential that LoL’s lore has teased for years.
Conclusion: A Game That Spans Genres—But Stays True to Its Roots
So, is League of Legends an MMORPG? Categorically, no. It’s a MOBA—a fast-paced, match-based competitive strategy game. But the richness of its universe and Riot’s multimedia expansions have helped it transcend traditional genre boundaries.
That said, with a true League of Legends MMORPG on the horizon, it’s not hard to imagine a future where the line between MOBA and MMORPG blurs even further. Until then, Summoner’s Rift remains a battlefield—not an open world.
Written by:
Christian