"Art Over Profits": Riot Games Co-Founder Responds to Claims That ARCANE Was a "Financial Miss"
Following reports that Riot Games’ acclaimed animated series Arcane struggled to recoup its massive $250 million budget, Riot co-founder Marc Merrill has spoken out to defend the show’s purpose and legacy.
His recent comments emphasize that Arcane was never about short-term financial gain but about creating something meaningful for players and fans.
Bloomberg's initial report stated that Arcane brought in less than half its production and marketing budget. Netflix reportedly paid $3 million per episode for distribution rights, with Tencent matching that figure for airing the series in China. This adds up to $108 million in revenue—far below the alleged $250 million Riot spent on its creation.
Paul Bellezza, Arcane’s executive producer, told Bloomberg that the $250 million figure includes production and marketing. Merrill, however, argues that focusing solely on profitability misses the bigger picture of what they are trying to do at Riot.
In a Reddit post addressing the report, Merrill pushed back against the idea that Arcane was a "financial miss," explaining Riot's mission-driven approach.
“People who look at the world through a short-term, transactional, cynical lens really struggle to understand Riot. These people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane.”
This philosophy aligns with Riot’s history of reinvesting profits from its highly successful League of Legends cosmetics into creative endeavors that expand the world of Runeterra.
Merrill went on to highlight Riot’s dedication to creating awesome experiences across various mediums, including games, sports, music, and animation.
He said: “Riot is a mission-driven company where Rioters are constantly striving to make it better to be a player. We are not focused on the short-term extraction of profits—we are focused on delivering exceptional value to our audience over the long term, again and again and again.”
The care put into Arcane is evident in its meticulous storytelling, stunning animation, and attention to detail. Fans and critics alike have praised the series for its artistic integrity and compelling adaptation of League of Legends lore, even when creative liberties were taken to better suit the medium.
For Merrill and the team at Riot, Arcane’s success isn’t defined by dollars alone, syaing: “To be clear, Arcane crushed for players, and so it crushed for us.”
While Arcane may not have been a financial slam dunk on paper, it remains a cultural phenomenon that has elevated video game adaptations to new heights. I love that Riot’s goal is to prioritize artistry and long-term value over short-term profitability.