In a notable development for the gaming community, Riot Games has made a significant addition to its League of Legends MMO team. Brian Holinka, a veteran of Blizzard Entertainment with over a decade of experience, including a pivotal role as the lead combat designer for World of Warcraft, has officially joined Riot. Holinka announced his new position on LinkedIn, stating, “Today is my first official day at Riot on the League of Legends MMO!” His arrival marks a promising step forward for the long-anticipated project.
Team Expansion and Development Progress
Holinka’s appointment as principal game designer comes at a time when the League of Legends MMO has remained largely under wraps since its announcement in December 2020. Despite the silence, the project is very much alive, with Riot Games continuing to bolster its development team. Notably, the studio has also welcomed Raymond Bartos, a former lead producer for World of Warcraft, to further enhance the MMO’s development efforts.
Adding to the momentum, Riot previously recruited Orlando Salvatore, a former lead software engineer from World of Warcraft, in October 2024. These strategic hires signal Riot’s commitment to creating a robust and engaging MMO experience, even as details about the game remain scarce.
Meanwhile, Greg Street, the former vice president of Riot Games who initially spearheaded the League of Legends MMO project, has ventured into a new role within the gaming industry. Although he has not disclosed specifics about his new position, he has indicated that it does not involve an MMO—at least for now.
As the gaming world watches closely, Riot Games appears to be quietly but steadily progressing on its ambitious MMO, with a talented team now in place to bring the vision to life.
