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Riot Games Names Hoby Darling as New Company President


Riot Games President Hoby Darling
Riot Games President Hoby Darling

Riot Games has appointed Hoby Darling as its new company president, bringing in leadership from outside the gaming industry to guide the developer behind popular titles like League of Legends and Valorant.


Darling comes to Riot with extensive experience in sports and tech industries, having held senior leadership positions at companies including Logitech, Skullcandy/Astro Gaming, Volcom, and Nike.


Throughout his career, he has focused on creativity, performance, and expanding brands globally by merging different genres and collaborating with athletes and creators.


"The first time I walked into Riot, I felt a scrappy, soulful, and courageous energy I knew I needed to be a part of," Darling said in a statement shared in Riot's press release. He expressed excitement about joining a company that "takes risks, challenges convention, and stays fiercely committed to its mission."


Riot Games CEO Dylan Jadeja praised the new president, highlighting Darling's ability to "bring out the best in teams" and his experience working with communities in sports and gaming. According to Jadeja, Darling will help "unlock creativity" and challenge teams to raise their standards.


However, the League of Legends community has met the announcement with skepticism. Many players have voiced concerns on social media platforms like Reddit about whether someone from outside the gaming industry can effectively lead a major game developer like Riot Games.


Some community members questioned if Darling's background in marketing at companies like Nike and Skullcandy has equipped him with sufficient understanding of gaming and esports to guide Riot's future.


Other players expressed worry that his strong marketing background might lead to more aggressive monetization strategies. As one Reddit user commented, "Dude sounds like a textbook marketer. They're probably going to keep pushing revenue growth as usual."


The appointment comes at a challenging time for Riot Games, which has recently faced backlash from its player base. Earlier this year, the company removed free Hextech Chests from League of Legends and later eliminated capsules and orbs from the game's honor system. These decisions sparked significant controversy, with some players calling for boycotts.


Even the success of their animated Netflix series "Arcane" didn't increase League of Legends revenue as expected, despite a reported $250 million investment in the show.


While the community reaction has been largely skeptical, only time will tell whether Darling's leadership will positively impact Riot's games and their communities.

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