英雄联盟

Released by Riot Games in 2009; in China, operated by Tencent (which acquired Riot in 2011). LoL is foundational to Chinese esports — the LPL (League of Legends Pro League) is one of the world's top leagues. Major China-Korea rivalries (LPL vs LCK) and the 2018 IG and 2021 EDG world championship wins triggered nationwide celebrations. Casually called LOL (read as English letters) by players.

Literal: 英雄 (yīngxióng, hero) + 联盟 (liánméng, league/alliance) — direct translation of 'League of Legends'. Players sometimes call it 撸啊撸 (lū-a-lū, 'LoL-LoL') as wordplay on LOL initials and the verb 撸 (mess around with). The mobile spinoff is 英雄联盟手游 (LoL Mobile/Wild Rift).