By Sagar V. Mankar Despite Arcane’s upcoming conclusion with its second season, Riot Games has exciting plans for the League of Legends universe in animated form. Marc Merrill, co-founder of Riot Games, recently sparked hope among fans by suggesting that more stories from the beloved gaming universe are on the horizon.
In a recent exchange on X (formerly Twitter), Merrill addressed concerns from fans about the series ending. Merrill replied to a Tweet asking why Arcane will not be getting more seasons, saying, “Cuz there are lots of other stories to tell.” This simple statement has ignited speculation about potential new shows set within the rich League of Legends universe.
The tremendous success of Arcane hasn’t come without significant investment. Recent reports from Variety reveal that the show stands as the most expensive animated series ever produced, with a total budget of $250 million for its 18 episodes across two seasons. However, Merrill has dismissed the reports as “silly” in a lengthy Reddit post. In a detailed explanation, he stated that the cost per minute actually runs about 1/3 to 1/4 of typical Pixar or Illumination productions. Furthermore, he added, that 80% of the budget is allocated to character animation.
“The market for this (‘high quality adult focused animation’) didn’t exist before Arcane,” Merrill noted, highlighting how the show has broken new ground in the animation industry.
The series has garnered critical acclaim for its unique artistic style and compelling storytelling, particularly in its portrayal of the complex relationship between characters Jinx and Vi. While fans prepare for the final episodes dropping on November 23, they can take comfort in knowing that Riot Games appears committed to expanding its animated content portfolio.
However, Merrill cautions against expecting quick turnarounds on new projects. “Just because that is our intent, doesn’t mean it’s easy or that we can pump these things out like a factory,” he added.
Interestingly, Riot’s ambitions extend beyond television series. Variety reported that the company had previously attempted to develop a League of Legends feature film with Marvel directors Joe and Anthony Russo, though the project ultimately fell through due to creative differences, resulting in a $5 million loss.
As Arcane prepares to conclude its story, co-creator Christian Linke has also hinted at other potential narratives within Runeterra, the game’s fictional world. While no specific projects have been confirmed, Riot’s willingness to invest in high-quality animation and storytelling suggests an exciting future for League of Legends fans beyond the gaming realm.
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