Arcane’s legacy: Why Riot Games is doubling down on expanding the universe despite financial setbacks

When Arcane first hit Netflix, it came with promises. Lots of them. We have seen tons of video game adaptations in different media, and most are quite disappointing.

However, Arcane proved that it came not only to stay—but to revolutionize and bring some more. It upped a notch in terms of gaming adaptations as a whole.

"Rules are made to be broken like buildings!" — Jinx

Arcane proved that gaming narratives could transcend their medium, setting a new bar for adaptations. But the landscape has changed since then.

The Megaverse of Runeterra has already been expanded into books, comic books, more games, and now, this groundbreaking series. And with three more spin-offs to come in the near future, it seems Riot Games is betting a lot on it.

Some fans are even suggesting the company should change its name to Riot Studios. Well, while both League of Legends and Arcane have astounding musical scores as well, this might be a topic for yet another article, don't you think?

Some parts of the article reflect the writer's views and opinions.

Arcane's budget exceeded $250 million

Despite the critical acclaim and massive cultural impact, Arcane faced some financial challenges. The production costs were astronomical, with a budget reportedly exceeding $250 million, which hasn't been fully recouped with its initial release.

While Arcane earned a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and garnered a dedicated fanbase, its financial return was slower than expected.

This highlights the risks of creating high-quality, innovative content in a highly competitive market, where even success in storytelling doesn't always guarantee immediate financial rewards.

However, the long-term vision of Riot Games and their commitment to expanding the League of Legends universe keep them focused on building a sustainable, impactful legacy rather than chasing quick profits.

Now, let's take the recent Secret Level project took bold steps in presenting a rich and multi-layered narrative. While commendable, it didn’t quite achieve Arcane’s artistic heights. It's kind of unfair to compare an anthology with Arcane, in the end.

But it came to add to the demonstration that gaming-inspired animations could still flourish in the market, offering well-crafted characters and intriguing plots, even if Secret Level didn’t completely redefine the genre.

By comparing these two approaches, it becomes clear how Arcane set a standard that future projects can aspire to, proving that while there’s room for good, there’s also a high bar for greatness.

Legends never die

When the world is calling you

Can you hear them screaming out your name?

Legends never die

They become a part of you

Every time you bleed for reaching greatness

Relentless you survive — part of the lyrics of "Legends Never Die", from League of Legends.

But Riot Games doesn’t see Arcane as a loss. Instead, the studio is crafting its universe with precision. Like Ekko rewinding time to perfect his every move, Riot Games isn’t throwing darts in the dark; they’re planning their next steps as carefully as a Vi punch. Calculated, impactful, and meant to leave a mark. As Jinx might add:

"Every revolution needs a spark."

Riot’s storytelling revolution is only beginning. Let’s dive into the strategy, vision, and what it means for the future.

Here we are, don't turn away now

We are the warriors that built this town

Here we are, don't turn away now

We are the warriors that built this town

From dust — from "Warriors", by Imagine Dragons, League of Legends soundtrack.

Doesn't the music complement the stories intertwined?

"We sell skins to make Arcane”: Riot’s philosophy

Marc Merrill, co-founder of Riot Games, addressed the skepticism surrounding Arcane’s budget with a straightforward explanation on Reddit:

“People think we make things like Arcane to sell skins. The reality is, we sell skins so we can make things like Arcane.”

This attitude exemplifies Riot's strategy of putting creative innovation ahead of immediate financial success. All of Riot's decisions are based on this viewpoint, so it's not empty rhetoric.

As an example of how Riot combines creative aspirations with audience participation, the company has invested in various artistic pursuits like the rock group K/DA.

Merrill’s statement emphasizes that the company sees its games and related projects as platforms to create lasting cultural impact, much like a well-timed ultimate in a game-changing moment.

Merrill's comments sum up Riot Games philosophy and approach: Arcane isn't about making money off of League of Legends in-game assets. Making something that touches people emotionally and culturally. This is their goal. With this far-sighted plan, Riot Games will be able to fulfill its mission of creating a lasting universe outside the game industry.

Shorts, graphic novels, games, more games, in-gaming cinematic, novelties—all of this interconnected. However, another point for Arcane's success is: accessibility. Unlike the MCU, you do not even need to have played League of Legends to fall in love with Arcane.

Think of it as crafting an ultimate ability. An investment in something impactful that can change the game entirely.

By focusing on meaningful storytelling, Riot Games can be even used as a marketing & business study case, for it shows a rare commitment to elevating gaming narratives into broader cultural phenomena.

The approach is risky, like diving into a 5v5 Baron steal, but it’s what sets Riot Games apart in an industry often driven by immediate returns. And for players, it’s this commitment that keeps their loyalty steadfast.

Riot Games’ approach to growth marketing is anything but conventional. The company has been channeling its creativity into developing content that resonates deeply with its audience (and beyond). Arcane is a statement of artistic intent, a carefully crafted narrative that draws fans closer to the League of Legends universe.

By investing in compelling stories and visually stunning worlds, Riot Games turns us into advocates, leveraging organic growth strategies that mirror the best practices of growth hacking: using innovative, memorable content to attract, engage, and retain an ever-expanding community.

The most expensive animation ever—and it’s worth every cent

What makes Arcane stand out isn’t just its budget, but the care and artistry in every frame. Each scene is crafted with a hand-painted technique, blending 2D and 3D animation in a way that feels natural and alive.

This "beautifully imperfect" style resonates with fans because it mirrors the raw emotion and complex storytelling of the series itself, creating a visual experience that feels both authentic and groundbreaking.

The series’ hand-painted style, described as "beautifully imperfect," blends 2D and 3D animation seamlessly, where each frame feels like a moving painting. And rich in textures and details rarely seen in mainstream (and even indie) animation.

“We wanted it to feel real,” said Christian Linke, the series’ showrunner. “Not just like a game adaptation, but something that could stand on its own as a piece of art.”

With Arcane, Riot Games managed to create a visceral experience that feels like pulling off a pentakill! Thrilling, emotional, and unforgettable.

The production process was painstaking, involving countless hours of collaboration between animators, writers, and voice actors. This dedication resulted in a visual masterpiece that resonates with both long-time League of Legends players and newcomers.

The imperfections in the animation aren’t flaws but intentional choices that add a layer of humanity and texture to the series.

Beyond the over-the-top visuals, Arcane excels in weaving both intimate and grand narratives. Personal, and universal. And every fight, every scene, every glance between characters feels like a calculated combo designed to hit the audience right in the feels.

Expanding the universe: bold moves, big stakes

Despite the financial setbacks, Riot’s commitment to storytelling innovation remains unwavering. They’re taking risks that feel like diving into a high-stakes Baron fight. Bold, risky, but with a vision for ultimate victory.

The exploration of new narratives, from the political intrigues of Noxus to the mystical realms of Ionia, demonstrates the company's dedication to expanding the lore and keeping fans engaged.

Each new project feels like a carefully crafted strategy—even a short in-game cinematic video connected to Arcane. Everything is perfectly crafted to deepen the emotional and cultural resonance of Runeterra, its regions, and lore. Runeterra's history is being written and rewritten. And beautifully.

The strategy adopted by Riot Games mirrors a team fight where every move must be precise, and every player must commit to the long game. They’re not rushing objectives; they’re building for late-game dominance.

Expanding the League of Legends universe is more than fan service; it’s a way to let the game’s lore breathe and evolve. Each new story is like a new champion release. Exciting, unpredictable, and filled with potential.

[And an IP can get money from merchandise and collabs, right? This is one of the examples only.]

Why Arcane, its spin-off and Riot Games point of view matter

As Vi might say:

"If that’s what it takes, it’s worth it."

Arcane’s hand-painted perfect imperfections and emotionally charged storytelling have set a new standard, proving that gaming narratives can hit as hard as a perfectly executed ultimate—leaving faus dying for the next chapter.

Riot Games has been building a legacy. Think of Arcane as their Nexus. Something they’re defending, evolving, and pouring their hearts into. By doing so, they challenge other studios to think beyond the bottom line. To deviate from the basics. And as Jinx might say, "It’s time to let the monster out." Os is it out there already?