League of Legends, one of the most popular PC games of all time, has a fascinating history that few fans are aware of. The game’s evolution from its early days as Onslaught: War of the Immortals to the modern masterpiece we know today is a story of innovation, risk-taking, and perseverance. In this article, we will delve into the original investor pitch for Onslaught: War of the Immortals, a game that was pitched to investors in 2004, the same year Finger Eleven’s ‘Paralyzer’ was a charting single.

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Thanks to League ‘tuber Necrit and Riot’s Paul ‘Pabro’ Bellezza, we have been given a unique opportunity to take a closer look at the game’s early days. The full story is outlined in a video Necrit uploaded last Thursday, but the basic rundown is that he asked to see League at its most primordial and Riot delivered in the form of an ancient investor pitch: a mix of video footage, design documents for a few champions, a lore breakdown, and screenshots.

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The game is barely recognizable, with a cartoony cityscape split between ‘order’ and ‘chaos’ realms. Players would take the role of customizable immortals they could temporarily bring to the fight in climactic moments, and certain heroes were even exclusive to one of the two realms—an allegiance players would have to declare when they began playing.

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Champions: Then and Now

While some champions have undergone significant changes over the years, others remain largely unchanged. Annie, for instance, still has a flaming teddy bear minion, though she and most other champions look very different. Sion, on the other hand, has a beard, a notable change from his modern-day appearance. Singed, however, remains largely the same, with his name being Zij for some reason in the early pitch.

One of the most striking aspects of the original pitch is the lore. The game’s world is described as a place where the two factions existed on neutral terms until ‘an antichrist of sorts’ was born and tore a hole in reality, threatening to consume all existence. Riot’s logo is also drenched in blood in the pitch video, adding to the game’s dark and edgy tone.

The original pitch for Onslaught: War of the Immortals is a fascinating glimpse into the game’s early days and the risks that the developers took to create something truly unique. It’s a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of taking risks in the pursuit of creative excellence.

In many ways, the original pitch for Onslaught: War of the Immortals is a reminder that even the most successful games have humble beginnings. The game’s evolution from its early days to the modern masterpiece we know today is a story of perseverance, innovation, and a willingness to take risks.