Riot Games’ Maria Egan Accepts Variety Hitmakers’ Interactive Music in Media Award

During Saturday's Variety Hitmakers ceremony, Maria Egan, who leads global music at Riot Games, was presented with the first-ever Interactive Music in Media Award. The accolade celebrated the video game developer's pivotal influence in bridging the worlds of interactive entertainment and the music business. Egan's leadership has been key in establishing creative alliances with top-tier musicians, their management, and record companies to produce signature songs for flagship games including "League of Legends" and the tactical shooter "Valorant." This approach reflects a broader industry shift where video game scores are no longer mere ambiance but central cultural artifacts, a trend Riot has championed since its founding in 2006.

These high-profile projects have featured global stars like K-pop phenomenon Stray Kids, rock band Imagine Dragons, and genre-blending artist Lil Nas X. The musical impact extends beyond the games themselves; the soundtrack for Netflix's critically acclaimed animated series "Arcane"—which is set in the "League of Legends" universe—has achieved several billion streams globally. Presenting the award, JJ Italiano, Spotify's head of global music curation and discovery, underscored these milestones and also cited Riot's recent collaborations with Chinese pop star G.E.M. and electronic producer Anyma for the 2024 League of Legends World Championship, hosted in China. Such events illustrate how esports tournaments have become major music platforms, rivaling traditional award shows for audience reach.

Accepting the honor, Egan articulated a core company tenet. "At Riot Games, music is far from just background filler," she asserted. "We consider it the very heartbeat of our player communities. While the intersection of gaming and music offers many novel avenues for artist involvement, Riot places a special emphasis on the enduring power of a great song. These compositions unite our fans across linguistic and geographic barriers, narrate our evolving lore, and fundamentally enlarge the worlds we build." Industry analysts note this philosophy treats in-game musical releases with promotional seriousness comparable to a major label album launch, creating a potent synergy between playlists and gameplay.

Egan thanked the songwriters and performing artists who have worked with Riot throughout its 15-year history, labeling them indispensable creative partners. She characterized the resulting fusion of competitive gaming, original music, narrative entertainment, and dedicated fandom as the expansive "big G" version of their titles, which has cultivated some of the planet's most massive and engaged communities. "Above all, we aim to forge partnerships that introduce your music to our worldwide audience through uniquely immersive channels," Egan explained. "We often say that where there's music, new memories are made. Our ambition is for our players to become your lifelong fans, carrying your songs with them forever." This player-first strategy has proven effective, transforming in-game events into chart-topping moments and solidifying soundtracks as key drivers of long-term brand loyalty.