@Riot "Champs. Champs. Champs."

cHAncEman1292·Jul 7, 2014·10 votes·6,153 views

I am I new player to the Rift. I have to say that have greatly enjoyed League of Legends, playing the many unique champions and spending a great deal of time picking through the lore. I love learning about champion playstyles, their personalities and in general hearing the internal stories about their development. The biggest event in League of Legends for players it seems in the unveiling of a new champion. Nothing fires up summoners than buckling down for the release of another combatant. I remember seeing the Yasuo teasers and rushing through the forum and reddit posts to see if any more information had been released. Yet there has been a huge shift this year in the release of content. I also remember the agonizing wait between Yasuo and Velkoz. Admittedly that was during the Season Change; however it has also been pointed out that different teams at Riot take on different projects; two of these teams being Content Release and Champion Design.

My question...
Does Content Release stall the announcement of new champions due to other gameplay implementations?

Has scope creep begun to paralyze the creative process? Additionally why is there such a vice grip on hints/lore and information regarding champs new and old?

As it stands...

It has been almost two months since Braum's release. Its been about three months since Braum's teaser. If we usually get a tease a month before a champion's release and we haven't gotten a single word regarding the new champion since - I'm definitely up at arms. I'm curious if development as hit a hiccup or something or Riot is just playing with their cards to their chest.

At least after Velkoz we had two back to back VU's leading into Braum. Around the time of Braum we also got Karthus VU.

What I want...

Rather than require a lecture about "unsustainable growth" , "desire not to get hopes up" or anything like that I'll be kind of straight forward with what I think I would like to see as a summoner.

More VU previews. More Concept Art. I want to see into the mind of our Riot overlords. Getting a chance to see some of the ideas and concepts circulating with be very exciting for me even if nothing of it came to fruition. Seeing scrapped kits or champions, early concepts for favorite champions, even viewing some of the pitch material for champions. Also VU PREVIEWS. This could be anything to outlining the "Pillars of Creation" Riot has talked so much about in recreating old champs. It could be a splurge on concept art or pretty much anything that reveals the pending work on a old champion.

More Developer Blogs. Developer Blogs on Past Champs I love Developer Blogs. Riot has gotten a little preachy lately and that I don't mind but I would love love to see some blogs done on past champs. Just seeing how our beloved characters were conceptualized can get an emotional or nostalgic response from our summoners. I also feel like developer blogs would be a good avenue to explore lore.

HINTS

Like seriously. It seems like the Rioters have all but stopped hinting at future champs. I miss the puns and I miss the excitement that comes with perhaps stumbling upon a hint. I remember looking back on an exchange between two Rioters one saying that they had been "jinxed" and the former quickly replying that they didn't want things to be "left up in the air". Soon after Jinx and Yasuo came out.

I've heard that "hints" this might "betray" the integrity of the Champion Release team - but honestly that hasn't stopped any Rioter in the past. I'm curious if anything has changed internally due to the Velkoz/Ao Shin leak. I'm also wondering if something might be on fire within the Champion Development team due to the huge delay.

**TL DR; I love this game. Everyone has noticed that we're in a bit of a content drought this year. I hope that we can get more rewarding fulfilling information about lore and champions rather than how pretty Karthus's Q animation and updated cannon minions look. **

28 Comments

GarentheonJul 7, 20145 votes

I would just like more than 3 VUs every 7 months. Its obvious champion production takes longer than VUs but why are the releases almost the same pace as each other

Btw, All this is coming from love, not hate

cHAncEman1292Jul 7, 20144 votes

It think its interesting to point out the release dates...

2/7 Velkoz Reveal
2/25 Velkoz Teaser
**2/27 Velkoz **
3/18 Heimerdinger VU
4/18 Braum Teaser
4/22 Twitch VU
5/12 Braum
6/5 Karthus VU

It seemed like we were on track to get major content once a month. Something that wholeheartedly excited me. I am glad to hear there are others like me that question this convention but aren't overtly aggressive. Fact stands that we're due for something soon. I just think given the abnormal gap that either something happened or something big is planned. But people said the same for the drought between Velkoz and Yasuo. I just really hope to get some sort of information soon.

Sir ArmaMalumJul 7, 20141 votes

Well there is the upcoming temporary game mode, which I would personally consider 'new content'. Although it's not as flashy as the previous ones, it's a lot of fun!

GarentheonJul 8, 20141 votes

Yea man. VUs are my favorite thing about this game, so you can see why I'm disappointed with this year having only just 3 so far. And with them concentrating on champs that also need kit reworks as well as visuals just makes me think that even less content will be coming this year. Idk. Wish there was a way I can help

Random TaskJul 8, 20142 votes

I've been playing since mid season 2 and I actually enjoy waiting on champions now then i did then. Why? because every other week they were releasing champions. Diana and Zyra came back to back a few days apart.

I do not think we're in a drought, I think we are in the prep year (year of the rework) for the new summoners rift. Just in transition. Since it's just primarily getting new items/changing items, vu/kit reworks, and animation updates with few new champs. It only feels like a drought. But we're also getting some sweet skins and kit reworks.

Since, they have different departments for each thing in league, I don't believe something is slowed down, I think they just prioritize.

cHAncEman1292Jul 8, 20141 votes

I don't mind that their taking time with new champs or VU, I just wish they'd give us more to chew on. How do you feel about content previews? Lore build ups and stuff like that? Since you've been around for so long perhaps you could give me some perspective on how champ release have changed?

NeofederalistJul 10, 20142 votes

I get how you feel like nothing is happening any more, but honestly, things are better this way.

I don't know if you've been around for when they teased Ao Shin (or even worse, Magma Chamber), but when Riot teases something, there's a huge uproar if the thing ends up changing or getting scrapped.

The danger of showing things in development is that sometimes you have to drastically change them or decide to shelve them altogether. Players get in mind that something is coming, and the idea is mostly manufactured in our own heads. The result is quite often a letdown. Jarvan IV was previewed almost a year before he came out. When he was finally released, lots of people were like "This is it?" because we concocted in our own heads what we imagined that he was going to be, and it's almost impossible for the reality to live up to expectations like that. Riot has gotten really gunshy about releasing teasers and spoilers. I see where they're coming from.

Personally, champion reworks have been significantly more interesting to me than new upcoming champions recently, and you can almost always see them coming.

cHAncEman1292Jul 10, 20142 votes

I didn't know that about Jarvan VI. I heard the same was done for Ahri and Nami right? And I do remember the Magma Chamber. That is a really great point. But I don't know, taking the back seat is kind of a bummer.

On the other hand like you mentioned the VU have been on point this year. I would actually reach back and say beginning with Nasus. I think its amazing how much good a new coat of paint can do a champion. Twitch has snuck into my life and pulled my heart strings. Riot is definatly putting a lot more love/charm into their champs. I guess what this new standard that their setting, the imagination can truly run wild. Its a shame that Velkoz wasn't apart of the new changes their putting on champs.

Also Heimer sets a very strong precedent for future Male Yordles. I can't want to see what Veigar and Corki will look like.

Random TaskJul 11, 20141 votes

They certainly like their lore this time around. The only time I'd hear of a champion was when I'd see a video on youtube or someone leaked a photo or something. Previews either made me really want the champ or overhyped the champ to an extent that they couldn't live up to it. (Recent example would be like vel'koz). Like I said, champions were weeks apart (sometimes days) aside from months like it is now. When Zac Came out, that really started the whole, secret back story lore thing. There wasn't that extent of effort put into an upcoming champion, until zac. They stopped the spamming of champions so 1)they could balance the champions better 2)VUs VUs VUs. The Flood of OP Varus, Darius, Draven, Diana, Zyra, Rengar, Syndra, and Kha'Zix. They were really strong and you always saw them..........the Darius ult reset on kill (no limit) was awesome tbh.

Magma chamber was a map used in allstars in 2013. It was all cool and crap and got everyone excited for 1v1. Then comes the game modes (hexakill, urf, all4one, etc) and the announcement that magma chamber wont be coming live. An example where they should of just said it was for allstars and kept with that, without saying it will come live like they did.

The best preview, imo, is this Dunkmaster Darius skin. They Showed it at PAX last year and just showed more a couple weeks ago. They have basically been showing us the process which is better than what happened to Lucian (if you were here for that). If you weren't lucians concept got leaked then months later he was confirrmed and put onto the pbe. He was on the Pbe for like 3 months after his announcement. Worth, in the end though.

Before it was, here's a champion, here's a champion, and here's two champions. Now it's like I guess we can put out a champion. Basically, now they have to tease because of the gap between champions. http://timeline.leagueoflegends.com/ Just to show you the progression and how different the champ gaps are now.

RiotStayAwhileNlistnJul 10, 20142 votes

About the hints; correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't those recognized only after the champs themselves were released? So maybe what you're looking for is already out there...btw, did you know that Braum got teased too?

I wonder if anyone caught it.

cHAncEman1292Jul 10, 20143 votes

Well yeah. But then again what is a hint if it doesn't gain any noticeable traction? Velkoz and Jinx were hinted at in skin backgrounds/ in login in screens. To that end the only loose end is the bat creature in the battlecast velkoz splash.

We knew Braum was going to be a dude - and that he was going to be a support. But I don't recall any Rioter going on about mustaches!

But I'm curious how you feel about developer blogs on past champs? I'd be anxious to hear more about developer blogs used to expand lore and such.

TiropatJul 10, 20142 votes

But boy did they go on about porros at least half of the red racker posts for two weeks before he was "revealed" they were talking about the little goats.

TerraRisingJul 10, 20143 votes

I guess the mustached poro in the Winter Wonderland Lulu splash wasn't enough of a hint...

Hyrum GraffJul 10, 20141 votes

inb4 Draven #2 release

But seriously, I'm getting a strong gut feeling that "caught it" is exactly the kind of hint that OP is asking for.

CaptainWednesdayJul 7, 20141 votes

Right there with you. I love the build up of anticipation for new champion releases. That being said, I do not want a short video teaser and that be the end of it. Quinn, Zac, Lissandra, and Aatrox had huge lore and teaser buildups to their release. I'd like to see that and more content, just as you've stated.

In any case, welcome to the League! Remember, fight for the glory of Demacia, always.

Sneak DogJul 7, 20141 votes

Braum had the whole huge launch with the minigame and interactive feats picture thingy. I really liked that too. I do think having different extras for different champions is great, but the silence now is indeed a bit long (Braum also had a great teaser video with awesome music).

cHAncEman1292Jul 7, 20141 votes

I agree! Though I kind of feel bad that the folks at Riot seemed to be more inspired by some champs rather than others. For instance, Riot hit it out of the park with Lissandra. It was also obvious that there was a great deal of love for Jinx leading up to her reveal. But what about champs like Lucian and Velkoz? Less can be more but I feel like every champ is a great opportunity to simultaneously sell personality and expand lore. I wish there was some additional/follow up events for released champions...similar to how Quinn was part of Lissandra's reveal.

PtarlorrJul 10, 20142 votes

Riot's mentioned wanting to make yordles feel more cohesive as a species, so there'll probably be some Bandle City-related VUs/champ release stuff in a similar vein to the "Journey Into the Freljord" thing for Lissandra (maybe), just after the new Rift/Client gets squared away. Of course, that's just speculation.

Also, Sion.

And Riot, please have Jarvan send Quinn on more scouting missions. Her/your artwork and storytelling were wonderful.

cHAncEman1292Jul 10, 20141 votes

I was just pointing out how I loved new Heimer. I am really curious to see how what Corki and Veigar will look like after VU. Undoubtedly extra cute and extra fuzzy. It makes the female yordles so bland in comparison.

But yes! That's what I'm talking about - more lore based teasers. I think my favorite part about the Vel'koz teaser/leak was just hearing and reading all the crazy stories we convinced ourselves of in the forums. The scouting missions worked two fold - learning more about Quinn, Sejuani and Ashe while teasing Lissandra.

PtarlorrJul 10, 20141 votes

The new Rift and Client prolly need a lot of attention, and they'll get to more champion stuff after they're done with it. I'm curious if they'll redo the 3 female yordles to make 'em look like they're part of the same race as Rumble and Teemo, or there'll be two subspecies, the more human ones and the furrier ones, I don't know.

I'm personally looking forward to a Singed VU(relaunch?), but he doesn't seem to be on Riot's priority list. He does feel really unique and fleshed out, just....old-looking. I'd like to see him go even more mad, maybe try and search for a cure for Warwick, or maybe Viktor can help fix up his body with some upgrades. So many possibilities!

Sir ArmaMalumJul 7, 20141 votes

Unless you're going for the Glory of Noxus, of course. We have cookies! :P

cHAncEman1292Jul 7, 20141 votes

Out of curiosity, what kind of content do you enjoy? What holds you over between champion releases? Is there a content schedule that you'd be okay with?

In general I just want to hear opinions on the content released thus far in 2014 and perhaps what kind of supplements people want that would add to the experience.

ProtosoulJul 8, 20141 votes

Caitlyn Aatrox Talon Sivir ........ Ezreal Aatrox Riven ........ Caitlyn Udyr Talon Ezreal !!!!!

CaoilJul 8, 20141 votes

I personally feel like Riot should give us more itemization changes. Right now it feels like things are a bit stale as far as champion selection and item selection go. Despite there being over a hundred champs and items in the game, the same 15-20 champs are picked almost every game, and the same items are built every time. I don't necessarily think we need a lot more items, just more meaningful diversity and reasons to build certain items over others. I really liked the concept of item 3508 and item 3504 that were just released, but other items are just so much stronger that they don't see any play. More itemization diversity would make the less-seen champs more viable too.

Random TaskJul 8, 20141 votes

That's literally what they've been doing. They're buffing Reaper a second time and they're still changing Blood thirster.

Lord Xander 09Jul 8, 20141 votes

what is the best champion?

Rastamon GanjaJul 10, 20141 votes

IMO the 2 champ releases a month was a little too much but this 1 champ every 2.5 + months seems a little to slow. I think 1 champ every 1.5 to 2 months is perfect. I too really liked the hints and teasers. Really built the hype and excitement of getting a new champ and lore. Riot said that they have different teams working on different things, (SR update, skins, VU/GPU, balance, new game modes, new champs etc.)so the new champ team should not be affected by the other content that is released. So why the long period between new champs? and no hints/teasers?

Don't get me wrong i really do enjoy the new game modes, skins and, VU but one of the things that I really enjoyed were the subtle hints and teases about new champs. Even though there might have been a longer period of time between champ releases, the speculation on the forums and reddit kept me interested and hyped enough between champ releases. It made it kinda fun and exciting. Sadly this really hasn't been happening recently.

Any explanations as to why? What do you guys think?

cHAncEman1292Jul 19, 20141 votes

To Vent:

But seriously. Is it ridiculous to request some sort of schedule? I'd rather Riot vastly lower my expectations by offering a schedule that they adhere to than to be sitting in the dark. Only 1 Champ every 4 months? Perfect I don't care. VU every 3? I'm with you. Just create a schedule that can be stuck with rather than having so much inconsistency. I honestly wish they did "forecasts" for the entire year so we as gamers would know what to expect. I'm kind of upset that Riot hasn't taken control of their community instead of letting us run rampant on boards. And I feel like the bare minimum is HONESTY, TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY. I'm more upset as a gamer when the organization can't meet their own deadlines/ don't have any obvious numerical goals. Like...what happened to an "increase in the amount of visual updates"? Once a month was suppose to be the eventual goal. But consider the fact that we've only had 3 this year with no teaser/hints in sight. And champions? Don't get me started. And to be honest...I would be completely okay with less champs if they were actually aggressively revisiting some of our current champs. But we have Xerath, Skarner, Nidalee, Rengar & Sona. What about champions like Viktor? Champions like Irelia? Yorick? There are soooooo many ways to revisit previous champs and DIVERSIFY their kits such that it will contribute to the game. You can only run around putting bandaids on for so long...But the worst part? "There are separate teams that work on Champion Relaunch/ Visual Updates/ New Champion Release". Is everyone on a coffee break? I am just really salty about all this. What worse as the season is getting close to competitive times the likely hood for new content is going to decrease.

Sorry, I had to get that all off my chest. I've been eagerly awaiting the visual updates/kit reworks that Riot mentioned. I really hope that Riot could be more vocal about their timeline/goals perhaps for the year/quarters. In a perfect world I would want Riot to be able to say something along the lines of (We're working 5 kits this year, 3 champ, 4 visual updates) and that be the end of it.