Boards›Champions & Skins

What decides who gets a new splash art?

Lady Luck·6/27/2014, 5:33:27 PM·3 votes·498 views

I'm slightly confused regarding the new Urgot and Caitlyn splash arts on the PBE.

If I'm not mistaken both champions are being looked at for a potential rework in appearance. Caitlyn has recently had a lot of discussion in particular. Given both champions, especially Caitlyn, may change their appearance in the future, why are they getting new splash art?

Even if it's a year or more out, that seems like wasted effort. Especially when you consider the splash arts that are more desperate (in my opinion) for an update... Like Anivia and Akali. Neither of these champions have had any sort of visual rework mentioned. Anivia especially has a rather out of date looking splash art. I think she's the worst offender of all base champions and has had no mention of any sort of rework.

Then you have the skins of reworked champions which are in an atrocious state... Karma's skins do not match their respective splash arts. Nidalee's skins are terribly outdated (especially Leopard, Snow Bunny and French Maid). Kingpin Twitch almost looks like it's just a blown up picture of the old model. I feel like the rework is incomplete while these splash arts are so drastically out of date.

I understand that the default skin of a champion gets a lot more face time than the skins... But why would you put the time into creating a splash art for a champion which may only temporarily match that champion? Why not choose one of the champions not on the radar for a rework yet? And why not any of the skins of the already reworked champions?

In a related note... Should we give up on the release of new splash art for old skins?

3 Comments

ModCaptainMårvelous6/27/2014, 8:20:07 PM2 votes

Cait is on the radar, but she's very far off when it comes to a VU because of how many far more egregious offenders there are. Urgot I was surprised about too, but I don't think it's that bad.

Also, of all the champions, I'd actually accuse Chogath of having the worst splash art. Warwick being a close second. Sure, Anivia is bad but these are basically the worst IMO. My guess is that Caitlyn was giving an upgrade because of how popular she is along with the fact that a 100% VU is quite a ways off. Not that it won't be done but it's far off.

Mansana6/28/2014, 3:19:34 AM1 votes

I share the exact same thoughts and always wonder if Riot has a criteria. And does that criteria hinder certain splash arts from being made.

I don't think Riot should give up on making new splash arts for old skins, although it does appear that Riot isn't spending as much resources into it as we may want them to. My question for Riot would be since technically the splash art team has been mostly focusing on Splashes for VU's, new skins, and new champs; Shouldn't they have more time on their hands with the rate that these new champs, VU's, etc. are being released? Assuming that the splash art team didn't decrease in its team size or work force, then technically there should be more room for output on new projects especially making new splashes for old skins. However, I'm not a splash artist so I would never know what the process is in creating them, especially the mind set you need to make the skin a masterpiece digitally in 2D.

For example: Suppose one splash artist could have one idea but then midway through they could possibly foresee a better pose that really captures the theme of the character and/or skin. Possibly delaying it, because visualizing the skin in a splash form does seem pretty hard. One thing I always found out about drawing was trying to find the right inspiration that could lead to an awesome looking piece. You can't just draw willy nilly and hope for the best. Look at what happened to the supposed new J4 and Ezreal leaked splash arts. It was negatively critiqued by many people and so didn't see the light of day with in the client. I remembered some free lance artist are even asked to produced splash arts for Riot because not everyone at Riot is a genius and can magically make everyone happy with their art. One example I could think off the top of my head would probably be the Sona splash art by Shilin Link.

I guess it depends on Riot and what they deem to be "on schedule" even though the schedule itself could easily change because of internal issues that they find or other new priorities.

TL;DR: Art is hard. Should we really pressure Riot more with all the content they given us so far? Sure Riot works to improve and make the community happy, but we should just be patient and let them surprise us when we least expect it.

Khodexus7/1/2014, 4:10:28 AM1 votes

Not to mention, when they DO give her a VU, which is liable to significantly change her classic look in many ways, they're likely to give her a 'traditional skin' and this new splash art is perfect for it. Heck, it'll probably fit the 'new' traditional skin (with all the updated VU effects, animations, etc.) better than it does her current classic skin.