By Yoon Sung-won



Riot Games, provider of the computer online game "League of Legends" (LOL), apologized for failing to root out the use of an unauthorized cheating tool.



In an online post published Sunday, Riot Games Korea's country manager Woody Rhee also promised to remove the cheating tool.



"A fair gaming experience is the most important prerequisite in playing LOL," Rhee said. "The LOL helper tool is the most serious threat that hurts the fairness and I feel great responsibility in failing to completely control the use of the unauthorized program now."



LOL was rolled out in Korea in December 2011. Before long, it became the most popular online computer game here not only because it was free to play but also on the back of its highly competitive player-versus-player game style. Its national and international e-sports leagues have also become the world's largest gaming competitions, replacing those of the Starcraft series.



On the back of LOL's popularity, some users with malicious intentions have developed and distributed unauthorized add-on programs such as the cheating tool. The add-on program allows users to easily vanquish other players by boosting the power and accuracy of character skills.



Players have repeatedly requested Riot Games to crack down on those who use such unauthorized software.



The company has argued that it has taken measures to block such programs. It said it is monitoring the game around the clock to catch users of the cheat tool and a team is dedicated to rooting them out.



But many users here have remained dissatisfied over the company's reactions and say it should have been more proactive.



"I apologize for disappointing gamers regarding the unauthorized program problem," Rhee said. "We won't give up and will take all efforts to tackle the problem."



He also said the company is considering taking legal action against those who continue to use such programs.



"We admit that we used to prioritize dealing with the problem by technological measures instead of filing civil or criminal suits," he said. "But recent events made us look back on our efforts and the consequences. We are also open to taking legal action."



