Riot Games has unveiled its plans for esports divisions, including League of Legends Esports (LoL Esports) and Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), in a blog post titled “One Shot.”
The company aims to become the most player-focused game developer worldwide by providing exceptional esports and entertainment experiences deeply connected to gaming.
At the center of these plans is the ‘Virtual Pass,’ an innovative esports product that will include digital and physical goods, such as in-game cosmetics and Worlds merchandise. John Needham, Riot Games’ President of Esports, outlined the company’s vision for the Virtual Pass.
Needham explained that esports events’ global nature presents limited opportunities for monetization, prompting Riot Games to create a virtual ticket program to enhance the online fan experience and generate revenue. The Virtual Pass will debut at Worlds 2023, merging online and in-real-life (IRL) fan engagement.
The primary objectives for the Virtual Pass include providing a rich online Worlds viewing experience, offering a bundle of products and services at a great value, giving fans more ways to express their enthusiasm, and supporting esports team revenues.
The 2023 Worlds Virtual Pass will feature digital products, exclusive Worlds merchandise, and physical and digital goods from sponsors. In 2024, Riot Games plans to introduce the Virtual Pass to the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) and add more experiential features to bring fans closer to the action.
Some preliminary ideas for additional features include premium in-game cameras, special cameras around live event venues, exclusive chat channels and lounges, digital collectibles, and the possibility of displaying select fan messages on the event broadcast.
The Virtual Pass will be designed with team-specific versions, offering team-branded goods, pro team room access, and more.
“We truly believe that we are building the Future of Sport at Riot Games. Our growing audience is young, connected, social, playing games, and watching tons of gaming content on streaming platforms.”
Needham emphasized that the goal is to deliver exceptional experiences, connect fans with their favorite players and teams, and create a new revenue stream for teams. However, the ideas presented for the Virtual Pass during Worlds 2023 may undergo changes in the coming months.
