The second season of Arcane garnered widespread acclaim, much like its Emmy-winning predecessor. However, a new report reveals that the show’s staggering production costs prompted Riot Games to scale back its ambitions in Hollywood and refocus on its gaming empire.
A Costly Adventure in Arcane’s Animation
Arcane was a passion project for Riot, aimed at delighting League of Legends fans while drawing new players to the game and its broader universe. The show’s dazzling animation and gripping storytelling came at a high price, though. According to Bloomberg, Riot spent around $250 million producing the two seasons.
To maintain the quality of Arcane, Riot self-funded the series, ensuring complete creative control. Despite its global distribution through Netflix and Tencent, which paid $3 million per episode, these deals recouped less than half the production costs. A Riot spokesperson clarified that while Arcane was deemed a success by internal metrics, the second season is only expected to break even financially.
Missed Opportunities
Part of the financial strain stemmed from missed chances to integrate the show with League of Legends. Producer Paul Bellezza admitted the team underestimated Arcane’s impact, saying, “We were really surprised by the success of season one,” and acknowledging that Riot “missed an opportunity to do some in-game activations around it.”
While Arcane didn’t result in financial losses, Riot has no plans for a third season. The creators emphasized that the two existing seasons told a complete story.
The report also sheds light on Riot’s shifting priorities. In recent years, Riot expanded its entertainment division, hiring talent like former Netflix executive Shauna Spenley to strengthen its ties to Hollywood. However, Spenley and other key figures have since departed, and Riot has reorganized its entertainment team.
This retreat comes as Riot refocuses on its core mission of creating games. A company spokesperson stated, “For us, what’s most important is fostering long-term player engagement and retention. Riot’s focus has always been on creating games and experiences that players want to enjoy for years, and Arcane is part of that larger vision.”