@Riot, about the possibility of recolors for champions and for champion skins

John Berserk·Jul 29, 2014·24 votes·6,547 views

(For those who haven't seen, there was a survey conducted by Riot asking what people's thoughts on a possible new "tier" of skins called "Champion Recolors", which would cost less than normal skins, and consist only of edits to colors of a Champion's base skins. There was also the idea presented of Skin Recolors, which would cost the same as Champion Recolors, but would edit the colors of already existing skins, and would require the skin already be owned before one could purchase a Recolor for it.)

Example of a Champion Recolor

I absolutely love the idea of Champion and Skin recolors. Just looking at the recolored Lucian example, I think simply changing the colors could significantly change the way a Champion looks, and allows for even more personalization.

Me and my friend were discussing it though, and we came up with a possible new idea (I myself didn't take the survey so I have no idea if this was maybe already on it or what or if it was already brought up elsewhere like on Reddit or something so excuse me if it already has): What if we were allowed to customize and recolor the Champs and Skins ourselves? Like, in some kind of in-client editor that lets us choose certain predetermined "sections" of the Champion's model and textures, and let's us replace the colors to whichever we like? And, depending on how many sections we edit, it could cost more or less IP (maybe RP only for customizing skins).

So: IP for base skin customization RP for other skin customization

Also, if we were to recolor/customize a champion that ends up getting visual changes of any kind, maybe we could either get the price of the recolor/customization refunded, or let us recolor/customize them again for free (just once of course).

Probably asking for too much, but I think expanding on the idea of Champion and Skin Recolors sounds like a good one personally. What do you think?

24 Comments

Ironclad DragonJul 29, 201414 votes

Riot has been doing an amazing job on the Classic Skins lately. If I can buy them for IP, score.

ShokenJul 29, 20145 votes

Agreed. Make recolors available for IPs and that's an huge win. IF they can be purchased only with RP it won't be in my interests.

BlackquillJul 29, 20143 votes

Agreed.

MayuriK12Jul 29, 20141 votes

Agreed. That way, players that don't have RP or can't get it can show pride for their champions. Plus, think of what the LCS teams could do: their team comp could have team colors!

We probably won't be able to choose the color, or we might, depending. Riot would probably have a pre-determined area you could re-color to discourage negative or inapropriate combinations, and also pre-determined colors. I look forward to this idea appearing on the PBE, adn will enjoy testing it!

As for splashes... hm... perhaps have a border in the loading screen? Or an alt. splash art by an aspiring Riot artist, which can easily be recolored depending on what's chosen.

PhailRaptorJul 29, 20145 votes

It's an awesome idea, but it also has the potential being quite problematic. For example, depending on how many tools the player can use to modify the skin, you will end up with things like Nazi Teemo and Nude <female champion>.

It also can have potential balance ramifications. Color choices are often deliberate to ensure you can recognize a champion or spell effect very quickly (blah blah game clarity blah). I'm not sure how this would cross over to the new Summoner's Rift, but there is potential for certain color combinations on certain models to obscure their "at a glance" identity. Kind of like the Phantom Assassin from DotA, who's model becomes increasingly more transparent as you level one of her abilities, until the only way you can see her is by watching for her shadow and the lifesteal animation.

Ironclad DragonJul 29, 20143 votes

Correct me if I'm wrong... but if Riot simply purposing to change the clothing's color, how does that open up modding opportunities that haven't already been available?

John BerserkJul 29, 20141 votes

Well I highly doubt Riot would allow for FULL customization of a Champion's skin. I didn't intend for that to be what I was talking about at all.

Riot would pick the colors we can choose from. No symbols, no uploaded images to place, just solid colors or patterns to replace other solid colors or patterns. This would keep things from going into unsavory territory.

And because Riot themselves would pick the colors, they would pick and choose which colors to have available for each Champion and "balance" them so that no readability is lost in-game, and even make adjustments to them (or even make some unavailable to be seen by others altogether) based on whether they have colorblind mode on or not.

JebsuJul 29, 20141 votes

Riot never said you could fully customize skins, they said you'd be able to change the base color (if they even allowed this at all).

John BerserkJul 29, 20141 votes

He's referring to my idea posted in the OP, not to Riot's ideas proposed in their survey.

OrinneJul 29, 20145 votes

The idea presented seems to only refer to adjusting colors on a specific champion model. You'd have to be pretty immature to think that recoloring Ahri's top to a tan color counts as a "nude skin", and a "Nazi Teemo", which I'm assuming you're referring to Adolf Hitler, would require the option to draw onto a texture, which I'm sure wouldn't ever be a feature in LoL.

Color choice for champion clarity is less important as skins have proven. Silhouette is usually a greater concern and is largely unaffected by color. "At a glance" identity is more of an issue if an entire enemy team uses the exact same color scheme on all of their champions. Regardless, silhouettes make up for this difference. Ryze has a giant scroll on his back. Ashe has a cape and a traditional bow, and is differentiated from Vayne who has a giant crossbow on her back. Renekton's a giant alligator. Nami's a levitating mermaid. I could go on but for the most part, at a glance silhouettes are distinct enough that matching color schemes on a team shouldn't be an issue.

tau43Jul 29, 20142 votes

Shaco colored to match his Clone.

The SladJul 29, 20142 votes

Shaco's clone is already the same color for the enemies. only his teammates see a different color clone. If he recolored to look like his clone it would only confuse his own team.

tau43Jul 29, 20141 votes

You know some one is going to do it specifically for that reason.

John BerserkJul 29, 20141 votes

Well obviously in a situation with champions like Shaco and Leblanc their clones would have to also change color when their base/skin colors change.

tau43Jul 29, 20143 votes

You you can essentially make your own version of the 1st generation of skins? I'd buy that. Hello black and gold Iron Solari Leona.

SquiblonJul 29, 20143 votes

What skin recolor would you be most excited about? I'd probably turn the new Debonair Ezreal skin pink just so he could match Pink Fluffy Boots Taric <3

tau43Jul 29, 20142 votes

It going to be like that "Funny Summoner's Names" video. Ez: Works At Gay Bar Taric: Owns Gay Bar

Primitive00Jul 29, 20142 votes

I think this idea is awesome and shouldve been implemented long ago, however riot would never do such a thing so glhf.

FiskJul 29, 20142 votes

Bump for pure awesomeness. Love recolors and love customization. I don't know if anyone here has ever played smite but they have this thing where you can buy a special skin that you unlock (and then can buy with rp/ip) once you have mastered a champion. I would love to see this in league (as an effect of this) where you get a special recolor for mastering a champ

The SladJul 29, 20141 votes

I think your particular suggestion would be a bit to complex. If the option to recolor skin was put into the game it would probably be something like this:

Each champion and skin has a set area(s) on the model that can have variable colors, when choosing a new color you would just pick based on a hex-color slider like the ones you see in photo manipulation programs and the default colors of those areas would be shifted based on the value you picked.

These are just my thoughts. Here have a penny, your turn.

John BerserkJul 29, 20141 votes

This is actually exactly what I had in mind and suggested in my post. :P

Sát Nhân Ðào HoaJul 29, 20141 votes

This idea is fantastic!!! Time to recolor my Hecarim (Not that I don't like his skin/design, but a change in color would be nice) Hecarim summoner 6 item 3270

KrizalidJul 29, 20141 votes

Would be cool if they let recolor any part of character (like his effects, skin color, weapon color) and don't let use overtoxic colors so people won't look like christmas tree. And if recolors would be made either for IP or RP. Or no, you can recolor standart skin for RP, but others - for IP (if you purchased it), so people won't have to pay twice. About splash - I would like to have just a little cube in the corner of the splash, which shows selected color.