Exploring the imagery of "Who Will Own the Rift?"

Riot·Apr 27, 2016·2 votes·75,929 views

In many ways, each of the regions competing at the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational have come to be defined by their individual histories. For those that know these histories, not much needs to be said. For those that don't, well, a lot needs to be said. It's this conundrum that, in part, led us to create "Who Will Own the Rift?"

The animated promo is designed to capture and personify the unique identity of each region through evocative imagery, with the hope that those who see it will develop a visceral understanding of the teams headed to Shanghai. If you caught all the nods or not, here's a deeper dive into the thinking behind this year's MSI promo.

[[{"fid":"22440","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/korea.jpg%3Fitok%3DHN5-1BAI","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"558","width":"992"}}]]

Korea: The King Who Could Fly

The higher you fly, the further you fall

Korea is home to the reigning World Champion, SKTelecom T1, and given their dominance on the Worlds stage over the years, it doesn't take an active imagination to understand why we went with the idea of a king here. (There's also that Unkillable Demon King fellow, Faker.) But the thing about kings is they really only have two options: reign supreme or bitterly fall.

At last year's MSI, it was the latter, when SKT fell to China's Edward Gaming in a gruelling five-game stretch and Faker's otherwise undefeated LeBlanc was dismantled by PawN's Morgana. Korea already gained redemption at Worlds 2015, where two of the region's top competitors -- SKT and KOO Tigers -- met in the Finals, and SKT simply tore apart any and all comers. We shall see if MSI proves to be the region's achilles heel once more.

[[{"fid":"22441","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/china.png%3Fitok%3DNVgp8q9X","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"606","width":"992"}}]]

China: The Dragon

Feared yet venerated by a multitude

Stop us if you've heard this one, but dragons are kind of a big deal in Chinese mythology and lore. But there's a bit more to it than that here. Like the prototypical dragon, the Chinese scene is massive, both in terms of its player base and esports fan base. Hell, even its league, LPL, is massive, with more teams playing more matches than any other.

Being massive cuts both ways, though, and there's no shortage of expectations and pressure that falls on the region's players. Though China secured victory at last year's MSI, the region fell hard on the Worlds stage -- where the stakes were, likewise, massive -- and one has to wonder if this dragon can effectively wield its considerable might.

[[{"fid":"22442","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/iwc.jpg%3Fitok%3DbZNZjqBG","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"607","width":"992"}}]]

International Wildcard: The Archer

Taking on titans

Where much is expected from powerhouses like China and Korea, little is expected from the teams hailing from the International Wildcard leagues (save, of course, from their wildly passionate and enthusiastic fans). But perhaps it's time to revisit those expectations. Like the archer, the IWC region has cultivated a giant-slayer persona, finding a way to fire that improbable shot that sails true and lands squarely between the eyes of those who look straight through them.

We saw it at Worlds 2014, when KaBuM dismantled Europe's No. 1 seed Alliance, and we saw it again at Worlds in 2015, when paiN Gaming picked up two wins. For now, the shots remain improbable, but that just makes the eruption of cheers from these regions all the more resonant.

[[{"fid":"22501","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/lms_1280x1024artboard20.jpg%3Fitok%3DoUCpV9jf","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"794","width":"992"}}]]

LMS: The Leopard

A tale of the unexpected strike

There are only three regions that have won a World Championship: Europe, Korea, and teams hailing from what is now known as LMS. Of the three, it is perhaps LMS that is the most surprising -- certainly now, but even then in Season 2, when the Taipei Assassins barreled through Europe's M5 and Korea's Azubu Frost to take the Summoner's Cup.

Since then, though, teams from the LMS region have appeared good -- not great, not serious contenders -- and have failed to make a legitimate title run. But there's always that memory of Season 2. LMS is like the leopard, a present threat, but in the shadows, out of sight but not out of mind. When will it pounce next?

[[{"fid":"22444","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/copy_of_na.jpg%3Fitok%3DfvKTYZ91","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"606","width":"992"}}]]

North America: The Warrior

A warrior of many origins

Perhaps a more fitting description of North America would be The World Warrior, given the region's cavalier stance of incorporating players from around the globe into its rosters. While most other regions look simply to Korea to augment their ranks, NA has over its history brought in players from all over Asia, as well as Europe and even South America. Its homegrown talent isn't half bad, either.

It's a prototypical American strategy: incorporate what seems to be the best, then forge it into a dominant force. Thus far, the strategy has yielded limited success on the international stage. But every time NA loses, it learns, adapts, and reenters the fray.

[[{"fid":"22445","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/europe.png%3Fitok%3DofC-JIT6","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"606","width":"992"}}]]

Europe: The Wolves

The resilient wolf

When three of the five members of Europe's most storied organization, Fnatic -- a team, it should be said, that posted a perfect 2015 Summer Split and advanced to the Semifinals at Worlds -- uproot and move to compete in NA, it could be argued that EU has been left to the wolves. Unless, of course, EU is the wolf.

EU's conquests are great, and the region has never had a problem producing some of the most iconic and accomplished players to have competed on the professional stage -- and in particular those lone-wolf mid laners. The pack continues to nurture its own, bringing up new, fierce competitors to replace those who have sought the hunt elsewhere. And perhaps at MSI, the pack can stick together long enough to take down the mightiest of prey.

The 2016 Mid-Season Invitational descends upon the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center on May 4-15. Learn more about the event, as well as its Worlds implications.

43 Comments

JapanesiestApr 28, 201615 votes

Now only if NA could Channel it's inner garen and hit the competition with Demacian Justice and reign supreme

CALL ME MEBEApr 28, 20161 votes

I really do wish that would happen XD

but I don't know, to be honest, I expect more from IWC than NA... :'( which is upsetting me.

Jump BushApr 28, 20166 votes

Darius Demacian trash, Noxus FOREVER!

SecondComingApr 29, 20161 votes

Garen "Darius, you're a butcher, not a general. Ha haa"

Jump BushMay 3, 20161 votes

Darius "I am the embodiment of strength in all its forms"

great in kalistaMay 5, 20161 votes

Teemo AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHa

Jump BushMay 6, 20162 votes

Darius Except for when I cannot auto attack.

NutcheckApr 28, 20167 votes

It makes sense that Korea is King

IntruderCZApr 28, 20163 votes

Not Korea, but Faker. That's the best part. It looks hilarious.

YomomsfachinaMay 3, 20162 votes

oh yeah ? how is the north doin? ooohhh yeah you got a fence between you.

Ashe is BadApr 28, 20167 votes

I absolutely love how riot does these amazing animations for the LCS and it makes me want to watch the LCS and see the finales always. This year is no different and how riot gave each region their own spirit animal or figure is simply amazing and I absolutely love it so much, good job riot.

JangbolsalApr 28, 20165 votes

China = Drag seems little hyped, but then they are hosting the tournament. I'll take it as a home advantage.

EXasinezApr 28, 20161 votes

I think drag is a perfect imagery for lpl. Mighty yet has down times.

RayRayRonApr 28, 20164 votes

NA much Cl

RedArchRangerApr 28, 20161 votes

NaCl and proud. The CLG merch store has a very appropriate foam salt shaker.

LerpsApr 28, 20164 votes

"Its homegrown talent isn't half bad, either."

Colombo16Apr 28, 20162 votes

I'd love to know who they were referring to.

Puffing DaisiesApr 28, 20162 votes

Its Dyrus, its always about Dyrus <3

Th4renApr 28, 20162 votes

sneaky, dardoc, double lift, wild turtle, and aphromoo have all out-shined their foreign counterparts in the nalcs this split. The best value we've imported is definitely in the solo lanes for the most part. And yes I think dardoc did more with less than reignover and rush, but they are both very good too. Piglet is good and he wants to be the best in na he just hasn't been at any point so far.

Colombo16Apr 28, 20161 votes

I know I'm going to get shit on for this but honestly, if you count the play offs, svenskeren rebounded pretty well from a pretty bad split and was one of the big reasons tsm made it that far. Aphromoo I agree with, been the best support in NA by far, and as for adc, not a single one of those guys has ever performed in an international competition (i'm basing from s3 onwards, I wasn't playing league before that). That's basically why I find it funny when they say the homegrown talent isn't that bad when they consistently fail to produce on the world stage.

NimmerMay 1, 20161 votes

Sneaky, Aphro, Meteos, Dardoch, Double, Turtle, to name a few. If you want to include retired, or, not-so-good-anymore, players Dyrus (pre-s5), Balls, Voyboy, Qtpie, Regi, Lemonnation. Not to mention Hai has a natural gift that no one else in the world has so we've got that, too. Suck it EU. Also, as I write this I realize that NA does produce pretty good ADCs. We've never really needed to import any for our winning teams.

Colombo16May 1, 20161 votes

Remind me again what these players have won other than an NA title and maybe 1 iem in 5 seasons?

LazerFruitApr 28, 20162 votes

Well i mean we have...let me think...there was oh no wait...hmmm

catgrillApr 28, 20163 votes

hoping NA doesn't do terrible.

idkidc123Apr 28, 20163 votes

It's CLG, they've always seemed to fall flat on the international stage. And better yet, they got two rookies going into it. I would rather put my money on the IWC team.

FinchyFishApr 27, 20162 votes

Wow

JosepheousApr 28, 20162 votes

Fifth!!!

0nly BlitzcrankApr 28, 20162 votes

Notice at the end where all the colors clash into to the msi logo, the white color of Korea whitewashes the rest

CaptainJaysianApr 28, 20162 votes

Ahri Korean symbol looks like King Sejong XD But his crown is ridiculous, even if I know Video maker want to express the gold hawk.

JangbolsalApr 29, 20161 votes

kinda looks like a super saiyan from dragon ball

IWillDeliverApr 28, 20162 votes

I really love how they have Faker sitting on the throne but I wish I could get a clearer picture. It's an amazing piece of work and not just this but the others as well. Round of applause for the artist.

0Aiur0Apr 29, 20162 votes

I really love to see this animation. Thank you for the great job, Riot~!! SKT described as the king looks so cool~ Don't fall down~! You don't really need to revenge against China. Just don't fall down. Others can try but it will fail. LCK is the best :)

FinchyFishApr 27, 20161 votes

Draven Draven Draven Draven Draven Draven Draven Draven Draven

CAN I LIVEApr 28, 20161 votes

Darius

JomppeApr 28, 20161 votes

Teemo

GrimforlifeApr 28, 20161 votes

Hats Of TahmKench to the ones who animated this. They really outdid themselves

NateManOGApr 28, 20161 votes

what are the korea and china banner different on download screen but all the rest stay the same

Chopper255Apr 28, 20161 votes

I don't really get how EU is the wolves, Team Origen is still intact and now we also have Vitality

seal3dApr 28, 20161 votes

Why do the wolves look like pigs :(

SecondComingApr 29, 20161 votes

Such disrespect to LMS teams. Ahq had a GREAT showing last Worlds; Flash Wolves were not bad either but ahq especially.

JangbolsalApr 29, 20161 votes

S5 LMS World championship - two quaterfinalists, 3-0 defeat, 3-1 defeat to Korea and EU MSI - Semifinalist, 3-0 defeat to EDG

I wouldn't say great, they met the standards. EU had a relatively better season and China had 2 finalists in 3 world championships. LMS seriously needs to show some more accomplishments if they want more respect. (i.e. TPA in season 2 world championship)

I do think they should get more tickets to worlds than NA

BearMaceMay 3, 20161 votes

So, NA is a blue Garen, Europe is purple Warwick, China is red Aurelion Sol, Wildcard is yellow Ashe, LMS is green cougar form of Nidalee, and Korea is white Jarvan IV.