Former WoW Lead Enhances Riot Games’ League MMO Development

Taylor Keatsman

ago 2 hours

Former WoW Lead Enhances Riot Games’ League MMO Development

Riot Games has announced a significant addition to its team: Raymond Bartos, a former lead producer from the renowned World of Warcraft, has joined as a Senior Game Producer. He will focus on the development of the long-anticipated League of Legends MMO.

League of Legends MMORPG Development Progress

Initially revealed in late 2020, Riot’s League of Legends MMORPG has been in development for several years. The project faced a considerable internal reassessment in 2024. Rather than proceeding with a conventional MMO model, Riot opted to rethink its development strategy.

Although public updates on the project have been limited, Bartos’ hiring signifies progress. Riot Games is actively enhancing its MMO development team by recruiting veteran developers experienced in live MMORPG management.

Raymond Bartos’ Background

Bartos confirmed his new role through a LinkedIn post, expressing enthusiasm about joining Riot. He stated, “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Riot on the MMO team!!!” He aims to contribute positively to the development process and create an enjoyable gaming experience for players.

Prior to his role at Riot, Bartos was integral to World of Warcraft at Blizzard Entertainment. As a lead producer, he oversaw ongoing content updates and engaged in long-term planning for this significant MMORPG.

In his announcement, Bartos also mentioned reconnecting with his long-time collaborator, Orlando Salvatore. He expressed confidence in their potential to accelerate development, saying, “I’ll be re-queuing with my longtime duo partner, Orlando Salvatore. Given our track record, I have a feeling we’ll be moving fast on day one.”

Current Status of the League of Legends MMO

Although there is no confirmed release date for the League of Legends MMO, Riot Games is actively working on the project. The studio is focusing on building a team dedicated to delivering an engaging and innovative MMO experience.