Goa, the online gaming department of Orange’s Content Division  and Riot Games, an independent developer and publisher of premium online video games, are inviting all European gamers to get a jump start in League of Legends on the 23rd October before the game launches in “Pre-Season” on 30th October 2009 in Europe.  New players can join the beta for free at www.lol-europe.com/betasignup and will be able to keep their accounts permanently.

League of Legends will operate in seasons to provide the best experience in competitive gaming.  Operating in seasons provides an established set of champions and maps with a definite endpoint to competition, while also enabling new content rollouts outside of season play.  The League of Legends “Pre-Season” will allow time for players to learn the game, build teams and develop advanced strategies and tactics, before the opening of Season One in the first half of 2010.  Between now and the start of Season One, players can also look forward to the addition of clans, teams, tournaments, ladders, draft mode, as well as additional content such as new champions and maps.

League of Legends, which was nominated for the Game Critics Awards Best Strategy Game of E3, combines elements of role-playing and strategy genres with addictive battle action.  The game brings accessible, replayable and competitive gameplay into a stylized universe that deepens with the player’s commitment.  Built by a veteran development team and the original creators of DotA Allstars, one of the world’s most popular player-made mods, League of Legends is a unique and genre bending experience.  The game will be operated as a live service that will be frequently updated with new features, champions, maps and additional content as suggested by the community. 

A player in League of Legends takes on the role of a Summoner – a gifted spell caster who has the power to bring forth a champion to fight as his or her avatar in Valoran’s Fields of Justice.  As the Summoner controls the champion in combat, it also influences the outcome of the match through the use of spells, masteries and runes.  Once a match is over, the Summoner gains Influence Points and experience points that unlock spells and items to assist their champions in future battles.  Influence Points will be earned by simply playing the game, while Combat Points will be available for purchase with real money. 

League of Legends offers endless permutations of builds, strategies and combinations that make the game compelling and deep.  

For more information about League of Legends, visit www.lol-europe.com