After tons of pressure from fans, players, and media alike to increase the League of Legends Worlds 2016 Prize Pool a few weeks back, Riot Games took a page out of Valve’s book and opened a partial crowdfunding option through the sale of their Championship Zed and Ward skins. The results have been magnificent.
Despite the short and sudden notice, the fan contribution has eclipsed the original prize pool. In Riot’s statement, they roughly place the total pool at 5 million USD. This is optimistic news in the push for monetizing League of Legends. As teams struggle to stay afloat, these projects will serve to improve the infrastructure for everyone.
Riot should be applauded for its willingness to imitate innovative strategies, even through its a traditionally closed approach. Perhaps with greater planning next year, Worlds can challenge the record set by The International (Dota 2) for a $20,770,469 prize pool.
Riot reminds players that current contributions to the prize pool will continue through November 6th.