STORYTIME KEYNOTE
Each PAX begins with our traditional opening ceremony, Storytime from an industry luminary. Leaders in gaming; be they developers, influencers, artists, designers, or other related expertise in this space, have regaled PAX attendees with the story of their lives and how they cemented their place in the annals of game culture.
PAX WEST’S 2026 STORYTIME SPEAKER IS MARC MERRILL
Marc "Tryndamere" Merrill is Co-Founder, Co-Chairman, and Chief Product Officer of Riot Games, the developer and publisher behind League of Legends, VALORANT, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, Wild Rift, and more.
Join us for his Storytime Keynote on Friday, September 4 at 11:00 AM PT in the Main Theatre.
Marc co-founded Riot in 2006 with Brandon Beck with the vision to revolutionize how games are developed, published, and supported by putting players at the center of everything. He co-led the development and launch of League, which went on to become one of the most-played games in history, the foundation of the world’s largest esport, and a global phenomenon still played in nearly every country on earth more than 15 years after its debut. Along the way, he helped shape Riot’s culture, championed a player-first philosophy, and played a central role in building the company’s publishing, esports, and international operations from the ground up. As Riot grew, Marc was a key force behind the company’s expansion into new genres and esports. He also served as an executive producer on Arcane, Riot’s first animated series.
Today, as Riot’s first Chief Product Officer, Marc guides the company’s strategy and product direction, supporting a growing portfolio that includes new titles like 2XKO, Riftbound, and multiple R&D projects in development—including Riot’s in-progress MMO set in the world of Runeterra, a passion project that reflects Marc’s lifelong love of worldbuilding and immersive games. Beyond Riot, Marc serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including Unite America, City Year Los Angeles, Represent US, and the Seal Family Foundation. His contributions to gaming and entertainment have been recognized with honors including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, the Game Developers Choice Pioneer Award, and a BAFTA. Marc lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Ashley, and their two children. A lifelong gamer, he loves Warhammer 40K, World of Warcraft, D&D, and countless other games—and always makes time for sports, philosophy, and good conversations with friends.
