League of Legends Hits The Big Time – 11.5 Million Players

By Landon Robinson | 18 November 2011 | 12 Comments

Remember the other week when we reported that DC Universe online was basking in the glory of its one millionth player signing up? While it’s an honorable feat for Sony Online Entertainment, Riot games, developer behind League of Legends, is celebrating an even bigger achievement.

League of Legends has successfully surpassed 11.5 million active players, solidifying the argument that the MMO is a shining example of a successful Free-To-Play business model. You might think to yourself, “Well, how does LOL stand up to WOW?” Well, when Blizzard last announced their player statistics, the active player count for World of Warcraft was floating around 10.3 million.

To put it into perspective, there’s at least 11,250,000 more people playing League of Legends than there are playing Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which tops the steam charts at roughly 250,000 active players online during play. League of Legends made its debut in October 2009 , while Skyrim came out just one week ago. Think about that.

All of that aside, congratulations to Riot games on their success. The Free-To-Play model is a tricky system to master, it seems, but it’s always comforting to see a game do well.

Here’s to 11.5 million more players!

[via Joystiq]

12 Comments

Posted by t3h sourcey on 18 November 11 at 9:03am

And to think that this all started with a small mod called DotA.LoL is it’s modern interpretation and is recieved positively by the majority of players.Of course no doubt that number will crumble when DotA is released.
- Posted by Ganphiel on 18 November 11 at 11:14am
  
  It came from that, but the real reason for it’s hugely success is based on it’s development tools that aren’t limited by WC3. That and the excellent work Riot is making to keep the players loyal to the game. Dota 2 probably will never reach that threshold, though Valve is also good with it’s customers.
- Posted by LLama on 19 November 11 at 6:45am
  
  Well the reason League has successfully advanced the f2p market is because even though it has a cash shop it doesn’t give you an advantage over other players. Thats the main turn off of most F2P MMOs to me. Spend $50 and get more skill, not in league. Also the game is frequently updated and new stuff is added all the time. DotA2 won’t steal its flame at all, in fact, league will continue to grow. DOTA2 is not free and that is why.
Posted by Snarky Shimmo on 18 November 11 at 11:56am

The only reason League of legends does so well is that its the only ftp rts game, if age of empires online actually let you do more than 10% of the game it would be more popular than LoL. Also, the only reason LoL is more popular than WoW is because WoW is expensive and now there are countless ftp rpg games and WoW isnt willing to adapt.
- Posted by LLama on 19 November 11 at 6:51am
  
  No. Wow is old and MMORPGs really don’t take much skill more than they do time to waste your life on them. Its a different appeal with MMOBAs. They take skill to be good, not money, not necessarily time either. So ya League made a F2P game that is TRULY free. The option to micro transaction is purely that, an option. Every other F2P game the cash shop is powerful and gives you an advantage over players who don’t use it. League all you can do is buy skins and rune pages. None of which are necessary to be better in the game. Also you can play a quick 20 minute game and be done with it as opposed to raiding for 5 hours straight.
- Posted by Lef on 19 November 11 at 2:55pm
  
  Ever heard of Heroes of newerth? it’s a F2P RTS
  - Posted by LLama on 20 November 11 at 12:05pm
    
    That sucks balls compared to league, and if I remember right there is more incentive to spend your money to play the game than league. I just appreciate F2Ps that don’t try and force you to spend money to play.
Posted by smb on 18 November 11 at 3:28pm

LoL is as much an MMO as WC3…
Posted by MagnusDune on 18 November 11 at 11:28pm

and its FREE TO PLAY, take notes Blizzard, FREE TO PLAY WITH MICRO-TRANSACTIONS.
Posted by Count on 22 November 11 at 12:49pm

The secret to Riot’s success is Nikasaur.
Posted by Misstakeda on 18 April 12 at 7:06pm

I love LoL, but I am not a fan at all of queue’ing. It is the single thing that would destroy my interest in the game. I realize it’s f2p, and that’s the premise for which it appeals to me so much. But, I am sure people do use the cash shop, With that being said, get a larger server Riot. Buhbye.
Posted by BlueSnow on 06 July 12 at 6:47pm

League is the worst game ever riot can’t even catch up with everyone logging in at the same time you gotta wait to log in. That is the most stupidiest shit i have ever heard league is the gayest game ever. Steam does better then riot. League is gay all you do is kill gay minons with magic and a sword and the game there is not fun at all. Wow you walk around in a big map try to destroy the objective BIG DEAL. I have to say league is suck a rip off there’s nothing fun about starcraft is better then league. AND EVEN STEAM IS BETTER THEN RIOT!