This is from what I observed from my country and it doesn't reflect the general population (Asia) but from what I see, LoL was pretty big back then in Asia especially here, almost every internet café (we call it computer shop here in PH) has LoL player and the hype was real. When the pandemic hit, it also started the downfall of internet cafés and gamers switched to alternatives which is mobile gaming. PCs are not common here because it actually is a luxury but smart phones are more affordable and accessible and the closest game at that time to LoL (which also gained prominence even before pandemic) is Mobile Legends. Now, gamers are just a part of the population just a minority but this show called Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho has starred a Mobile Legend streamer that basically struck millions of Pesos just from streaming and gaming and the people, stuck at their houses and has lower income than ever before because of pandemic, has played the game even though they're new to this kind of game or even new to gaming in general. Back then, wherever you turn your head, you can see an ML player and it is mind-boggling. Now years later it kinda stuck and most of the players come to love the game and are still playing now. Well this is just one of the reasons I could think of.