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Between Two Turrets - Chat with Morello! [COMPLETE]

RiotA Small Man·7/29/2015, 8:00:34 PM·21 votes·111,665 views

http://i.imgur.com/ST2zjFW.jpg

Welcome to the latest installment of Between Two Turrets, a new Q&A series from the NA Community team in which we'll connect you with various Rioters to chat about League, life, and anything in between. You can expect an installment every couple weeks or so, with Rioters from all over jumping in to spend some time with you on the boards.

This week, we've got game designer Morello!

EDIT - Heading back to work for now guys, thanks for hanging out! I'll try to check back over the next couple days in case anyone has more questions. Good chatting with you all!

Hey everyone!

My name's Ryan Scott, and I work as part of the design team at Riot. Previously, I served as League's Lead Champion Designer for a couple years, then as a member of the design leadership team more broadly. These days, I'm working on an R&D project, which is part of why I've not been able to answer LoL questions as much or engage in the topical issues. Still, I wanted to use this chance to get back out talking with folks and come up for air a bit (I missed you guys <3).

I know there will be a lot of questions about what exactly "R&D" means at Riot. While you're of course free to ask anything, I've obviously gotta be a bit stingy with the details. I can potentially field very broad philosophy or "why" questions, but "what" and "how" (and especially "when!") are things I won't really be able to address.

As for non-Riot stuff, I play a ton of games in a lot of genres - video and physical. I've been spending a lot of time lately in CS:GO Ranked (SO close to AK!), a bunch of board games with the likes of Meddler, FeralPony, Reinboom, VitzKreig and Ezreal, and catching up on some Rogue-likes and other random smaller titles during the summer release lull. I have two Corgis, Professor Phineas T. Wigglebutts, and Ruby Evangelyne McNubbins. I'll try to get some pics in because Corgis > Morello. I'm also into UFC, go to Disneyland with my wife far too often, and like to drown myself in Mexican food and waterparks.

I do like the "anything" in the ask me anything theory, so feel free to ask personal or non-LoL-related stuff if interested. I'm pretty forthcoming and don't mind sharing things about my personal or professional life, or just discuss the nerf patches with old NMST :)

It's been awhile, community. I'm excited to chat for a bit - let's have at it!

440 Comments

Billlbert7/29/2015, 8:27:03 PM30 votes

in soviet runeterra, Irelia nerfs item 3165

StellarPrime7/29/2015, 8:02:08 PM6 votes

Hey Morello! You were one of the Rioters who had a hand in designing Zyra Zyra. I (along with many others I'm sure) am famished xD. Is there anything...? Anything at all in the works for Zyra? A lore update? A new skin? Or even updated visuals? New VFX on her spells at the very least would be awesome.

I realize a lot of work got put into her and she's probably the most difficult champion to make skins for also, but her visual style isn't quite in harmony/accordance with the current Summoner's Rift. You might not have an idea for all of those things since I don't believe you're on the narrative team per se.. but If you know, PLEASE tell us if there's something!

Crawfcey7/29/2015, 9:26:49 PM6 votes

I feel as though Riot has become scared to talk about things that they're working on, and then justifying that by calling it a "surprise". This was due to mishaps like Ao Shin, I imagine. I believe this to be an incorrect approach. Road-bumps aren't unique to game development or Riot Games. I strongly believe that as long as Riot is vocal about these bumps, and is so in a timely manner, they would not receive nearly as much backlash as they did for previous projects. For example:

  1. Riot teases development of champion Ao Shin
  2. Riot discovers problems with kit development 3) Riot silently moves on to another project, only to later disclose that it didn't work out
  3. Riot tells the community what isn't working, and what their plans are to move forward

We are a community of gamers. We know that sometimes, in development, things don't always work out. But as long as you are timely (cough replays, new client cough) vocal about development issues, I bet you we'll surprise you.

Thoughts?

MrRado7/29/2015, 8:24:45 PM5 votes

Since RTS spawned MOBAs, what about the opposite? Since LoL exists separate of the actual League universe, why not a RTS for Runeterra? Has that ever been considered?

I can see purchasing a champion also netting you a set of scenarios to play through for their intro/history/lore, in addition to RTS styled multiplayer/PvP.

Thryale7/29/2015, 8:16:56 PM4 votes

After watching the Honest Game Trailers about LoL, I got to thinking, does riot actually plan on making any other games?

If riot were to make additional games, would you prefer they expand LoL's universe, or would you want to see some more unique IP's added to riot's portfolio? What genre's would you like to see riot work on in the future?

shadowwzrd7/29/2015, 8:59:19 PM4 votes

Why did you guys stop with the patch previews that were done before by you and phreak?

I always enjoyed those since they were simple yet got straight to the point these new patch rundowns feel like they talk a bit to much non related things towards the patch.

Lastly do you think people should wait before upgrading to the newest windows 10 so that any bug/errors are fixed that can occur with league?

AMYS GRAVE7/29/2015, 8:24:12 PM4 votes

As a Rioter who posts on the boards frequently, what are your thoughts on Rioter interaction with the community feedback and/or in general.

Toaster367/29/2015, 8:25:24 PM3 votes

What are your thoughts on games as tools for interactive story telling, especially on the extreme end of the spectrum? Think Dear Esther, Gone Home, or any visual novel.

Solideus7/29/2015, 8:04:11 PM3 votes

How much do you think the game will have changed in, say, three years?

Solideus7/29/2015, 8:23:08 PM3 votes

Sooo, is this R&D-project something that might or will affect the game League of Legends directly?

DJ Sona Buvelle7/29/2015, 8:09:57 PM2 votes

  1. What is your favorite car?

  2. Favorite Food?

  3. Opinions on how far Riot has gone with designing champions?

Game Over ZI7/29/2015, 8:16:57 PM2 votes

Hey, 3 questions.

  1. Have you though of any ideas that would be cool to implement in future champs.

  2. I've seen a lot more cases of heavy creep block (saw some people complete locked in, unable to move. surrounded by 3 minions), and wondering who might know why that might be

  3. Any favorite classic video games? (whatever you define as classic)

AMYS GRAVE7/29/2015, 8:21:02 PM2 votes

What is your opinion on the new HUD?

Merxamers7/29/2015, 8:04:31 PM2 votes

  1. What kind of LoL champions do you gravitate towards (ie. what are your favorite archetypes)?

  2. Do you play Magic the Gathering at all, and if so, what's your favorite kind of deck to run?

Muted Summoner7/29/2015, 8:34:57 PM2 votes

If you could Pick 5 Champions that you feel are out of date (in need of a rework/tweek) who would those 5 champions be and if possible maybe a very short Why.

The Bro Father7/29/2015, 9:06:14 PM2 votes

I'm thinking I am too late for this but here's hoping. The story around and in the characters and world of LoL is awesome and super fun to read.....when its there. i remember y'all used to do the like Runeterra Newspaper but then that stopped suddenly. With the Frejlord and now Bilgewater story game modes can we expect to see more or more frequent story content come out. I'd love to see a Noxus vs Demacia game mode.

Rico Jungle Only7/29/2015, 8:03:54 PM2 votes

Hey Morello. My question focuses on two fighter champs that are of hot topics, Panth Pantheon & AatroxAatrox .

Starting with Panth: He starts off good in the laning phase, yes, but falls off heavily after if he cannot outburst enemies as he has no mobility moves, or a reliable escape. This is in addition to the changing meta and item changes, all of which do not favor Panth at the moment...

Q: I there any chance Panth's W can become a skill shot so he can jump over walls and have some way of mobility as a currently immobile fighter/assassin?

I've talked to Zenon Stoic about it, and he wishes to at least fix the symmetry of Panth's W stunning interactions on champs. It would also allow Panth, (who builds usually very squishy), some fallback pattern, over being CC'd and instal-dying in the start of a team fight.

Q: Is there a possibility of bringing back a fighter item that has early armor pen, but has fighter capabilities?

Onto Aatrox: Maybe its only me, but the only build path he has right now is Bork + Tank to do decently. I remember when he was released you guys called him a Auto reliant melee fighter, but upon his release, he was a EXCELLENT caster. He had more choice in build path over just going pure tank, and if you landed you skills right, he had kill potential and felt really good before the nerf.

Q: Is there any way you could bring more of the "caster" (where you can trade well with his abilities) side to Aatrox back?

Q: Will/may the current issues lead to a small rework in the future for him?

Q: Is the "Drain Tank Fantasy" still a think you can support, specifically in Aatrox's Case..?

Thank you for your time. :D

Praetor Don7/29/2015, 9:07:40 PM1 votes

Do you still have your nerfbat lying around somewhere? Perhaps hung over your hearth?

Do they even have hearths in California?

Awkbak BR7/29/2015, 9:04:24 PM1 votes

What is the future of Game design and what is Riot Games' role in that? What milestone have you accomplished while at riot game?Irelia

Robin SparkIes7/29/2015, 9:40:47 PM1 votes

Shouldn't the game be balanced for what the vast majority of players experience and play; not a select few