Riot Games' Dark Star Cho'Gath skin for League of Legends has raised $6.1 million (£4.7m) for charity within a month of its release, far exceeding the company's guaranteed minimum donation of $10,000 (£7.8k).
The skin cost 1350 RP, with a matching icon priced at 350 RP and an emote at 600 RP also contributing to the fund. All three items could be bought together for 2500 RP, or 2792 RP for players who also needed to buy Cho'Gath, with the bundle including a loading screen border.
The skin was created with a teenager named Bryan through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Bryan spoke with Rioters about what kind of skin he wanted for his favourite champion before visiting Riot's headquarters in Los Angeles to help design it.
Riot discovered Bryan played instruments and performed in orchestras, and had him work with the company's music team to create the skin's login theme.
From local exclusive to global release
Riot had originally planned to release the skin only on Bryan's local client as a small exclusive. The company said it was inspired to release the skin worldwide instead, with the profits going to charities on Bryan's behalf.
The £4.7 million was split across 21 local nonprofits, including Special Effect from the UK, which helps people with special needs play video games.
The full list of charities
- Fundacao Gol de Letra (Brazil)
- El Comite para la Democratizacion de la Informatica (Chile)
- In cooperation with Tencent Foundation (China)
- Ensena Por Colombia
- Ensena Por Ecuador
- Make-A-Wish France
- Gaming-Aid (Germany)
- Pieta House (Ireland and other European countries)
- Friends of El Sistema Japan
- Autism Society Korea (ASK)
- Ensena Por Mexico
- Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
- Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation (Oceania)
- Ensena Por Panama
- Sozidanie Charitable Foundation (Russia)
- Save the Children (SEA)
- Juegaterapia (Spain)
- Umut Cocuklari Dernegi (Turkey)
- United Way of Taiwan, Special Effect (UK)
- Y Tam Social Enterprise (Vietnam)