How good are Riot Games employees at LoL and TFT?
With incredibly complex games being built by the studio, it’s easy to wonder how good Riot Games employees are at League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics?
Recently, Teamfight Tactics lead developer Stephen “Mortdog” Mortimer hit the highest possible rank of Challenger. In a
developer blog post, he spoke about the expectation for developers to be able to play their games at the
top level. Does it matter how good Riot Games employees are at League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics?
How good are Riot Games employees at LoL and TFT?
Obviously, not every single person who works at Riot Games should be expected to perform at the very highest levels of either their MOBA or auto battler titles. There’s little use in public relations, human resources, or other disciplines to high DPS or knowing the intricacies of wave management. However, the developers who design and balance the game are often accosted with the accusation that their judgments are misguided due to a lack of game understanding or skill.
In Mortdog’s post on his climb to the highest rank in Teamfight Tactics, he outlines a few core issues with expecting designers to reach high ranks. Already spending 40 or more hours a week working on a game is a colossal commitment, and every developer shouldn’t be expected to grind competitive play in their off-hours. This sort of demand would lead to inevitable burnout, which is the last thing players should want from the designers of a game. The question of how good Riot Games employees are at LoL and TFT also misses out on much-needed audience understanding.
Mortdog details the grueling experience of making Challenger, and how he’ll likely never try to reach it again. Trying to optimize gameplay to compete against the very best can make developers lose sight of the reasons their game is appealing to a wider audience in the first place. Nonetheless, League of Legends’ balance teams are peppered with Masters, Grand Masters, and even the occasional Challenger player.
The individual skill will vary widely, but the truth seems to be that it matters less than fans might like to imagine. As long as they can craft an engaging, fair, and fun experience, developers don’t need to dominate ranked play.
Nicholas James
About Nicholas James
Nicholas James is a gaming writer with a passion for all things geekdom, as well as live theater. Nicholas is best known for covering League of Legends and other top MOBA titles, but his expertise covers numerous games across multiple genres. When not watching the LCS or playing the latest new release, Nicholas can be found doing some tabletop gaming and painting his favorite miniatures. Nicholas has also published with Hotspawn, TheGamer, Dexerto, Esports.gg and other industry outlets.
View full profile
Read Also
League of Legends
LoL: Europe Shines Against Korea in 2026 As NA Struggles To Keep Pace
Ben Boland
In 2026, Europe has had its best results against the East in LoL Esports history. While their losses to North America may overshadow their achievements, EU has a winning record against South Korea this year. Meanwhile, NA has the LEC’s number but has its worst head-to-head against the East since 2023 — here I will break down the key statistics that show this. After years of Europe being a shell ...
League of Legends
Which League of Legends Region Will Win 2026 Worlds?
Hannan Mundia
The League of Legends World Championship is easily the game’s most important annual tournament. The top teams from every major region compete for a chance to win the substantial cash prize and etch their names in League of Legends history. This year will be no different, with the 2026 Worlds coming beginning on October 15. Teams from multiple regions have already qualified for the tournament, though their performances throughout the ...
Esports Betting
Cloud9 vs LYON LCS Summer Playoffs Upper Bracket: Best Bets and Predictions
Ben Boland
It’s a great time to be a League of Legends esports bettor with the LCS Summer playoffs heating up. We have Cloud9 looking to slay their playoff demons against LYON, a side that is looking to win their third straight championship. With LYON picking Cloud9 as their opponent, perhaps they are extremely confident they will get the job done, or are they underestimating the boys in blue? Stay tuned as ...
League of Legends
Team Liquid vs FlyQuest: Predictions & Best Bets for the LCS Summer Playoffs
Ben Boland
With the LCS Summer Playoffs heating up, Team Liquid is looking to make history with a surprise win over FlyQuest this weekend. It would mean TL would be competing at Worlds 2026 on home soil for the first time in the organisation's history. For FlyQuest, this is a chance to progress ahead of schedule with their young squad, getting some valuable reps on the biggest stage esports has to offer. ...
Esports Betting
Gen.G vs HLE: Best betting odds and picks for LCK 2026 grand final
Hannan Mundia
The 2026 LCK grand final will see HLE challenge Gen.G to determine which team walks away with the first-place prize, giving the winning team a much-needed confidence boost before the World Championship. After every top professional Korean League of Legends team has poured sweat and time, this year’s LCK split is finally about to conclude. The grand final match will be between the powerhouse team Gen.G and the challenging Hanwha ...
Esports Betting
Here Are My Predictions For The Hanwha Life Esports vs T1 LCK Lower Final
Ben Boland
LCK fans are in for a treat as Hanwha Life Esports and T1 both battle for a ticket to the grand final, where Gen.G awaits. The last time these two met, they tore the house down. I expect more of the same this time in the lower final. Here are the best bets to make on HLE vs T1 in the LCK 2026 Summer Playoffs Lower Final at GG.BET, one ...
League of Legends
Riot Games eyes Polymarket and Kalshi for esports sponsorships
Michael Hassall
Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends and VALORANT is reportedly exploring the protentional of sponsorship deals with prediction market operators including Polymarket and Kalshi, as per reports emerging late last night (Sep. 10). First reported by Cecilia D’Anastasio of Bloomberg, Riot has started conversations with the two top prediction market operators, Kalshi and Polymarket, with a view to one or both of them becoming sponsors within Riot Games’ ...
