Riot Games purchases equity in Arcane animation studio Fortiche

Animated Acquisition

Riot Games has announced that it has invested equity into Fortiche Productions, the animation studio behind the well-received League of Legends Netflix series, Arcane. While the investment amount was not revealed, Riot claims it now holds a “significant” non-controlling stake in the producer.

“Fortiche has been an integral partner for a long time, but this agreement ensures we’ll be working closely for decades to come,” said Riot Games CEO Nicolo Laurent of the investment. “We hold a high bar for everyone we work with and insist they understand players deeply and focus on them relentlessly, and from day one, Fortiche has exemplified player experience first. As proud as we are of Arcane, we know the best is yet to come.”

Fortiche also spoke of its pleasure at the business arrangement.

“The various collaborations with Riot Games, and especially Arcane, have made Fortiche Production a new major player on the international animation scene,” wrote Fortiche co-founders Pascal Charrue, Jérôme Combe, and Arnaud Delord. “Riot Games, by trusting us, has given us the means to achieve our common ambitions and has shown that it is possible to offer new content that can reach a large audience.”

The investment will see both companies join each other’s board of directors. While Fortiche Productions will continue to operate as an independent entity, the stake no doubt gives Riot more room at the table when discussing the future of Arcane or any other Riot-related projects. The deal is a no-brainer for Riot, given Arcane‘s well-received first season, which premiered on Netflix in the fall of 2021.

Arcane season two is currently in production.