In a recent announcement, Riot Games revealed that John Needham, the current President of Esports, will now lead a new combined publishing and esports organization. This move aims to create a seamless experience for players by integrating each game with its esports, music, and publishing content. Additionally, Riot’s TV and film development will be divided into two dedicated studios: an animation studio led by Christian Linke and a live-action studio headed by Brian Wright.
John Needham, who has a wealth of experience in gaming, having worked across esports, publishing, and operations, will now oversee a combined group that includes publishing, esports, international, platform technology, and music. This strategic decision will better connect around-game content with the games themselves, leading to more cohesive experiences for players and fans. Under John’s leadership, the esports and publishing teams will work together to create new integrated experiences that combine all of Riot’s esports, music, and creative publishing efforts.
Christian Linke, who has been with Riot for 14 years, will lead the animation studio. He has a background in composing music for League of Legends and was instrumental in the success of the award-winning animated series, Arcane. Brian Wright, who joined Riot in 2021, will head the live-action studio. With experience at Netflix, Brian has been developing new live-action projects based on Riot’s existing lore and narrative.
Riot Games‘ CEO, Dylan Jadeja, expressed his excitement about the restructuring, stating, „We want every moment a player spends with us to be worth it – and that’s best achieved when we authentically blend our games, esports, music, and storytelling into really cohesive, immersive adventures for them.“ This commitment to creating memorable experiences for players is evident in the dedication of the new leadership team.
John Needham, in his new role as President of Publishing & Esports, emphasized the opportunity to bring together passionate teams committed to enhancing the player experience. He stated, „With both working together in a unified way, we’ll create moments and experiences we hope players remember forever.“ This focus on delivering exceptional player experiences through authentic publishing and world-class esports highlights Riot’s dedication to its community.
Overall, Riot Games‘ decision to restructure its organization under the leadership of John Needham, Christian Linke, and Brian Wright demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the player experience through integrated content and storytelling. With a focus on creating cohesive and immersive adventures for players, Riot Games is poised to continue delivering memorable moments and experiences that players and Rioters can be proud of.