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Between Two Turrets - Come chat with Bioluminescence! [COMPLETED]

RiotA Small Man··23 votes·84,514 views


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

This week, we've got we’ve got Senior Level Designer (and League story enthusiast) Amanda “Bioluminescence” Jeffrey!

EDIT - Okie dokie lovely people - I'm going to have to call it done for today. While I may finish up a question or two, for the most part I hope to see you all elsewhere on the Boards! :D

Hey, peeps! How are you all today? :D

Amanda here, also known as Bioluminescence, here to talk about whatever you feel like. I go by the title Senior Level Designer, and while my main job involves secret R&D stuff that I'm not allowed to talk about yet, I meddle in a whole lot of other stuff too.

Whether it's helping write lines for upcoming champs and reworks, or designing the old Shurima tablet map with the Foundations team, or writing (and cooking) the Tahm Kench recipes - I am all about getting involved in unexpected places. Several of you also know that I love League lore, and can get a bit too excited about it sometimes. ;)

Otherwise; I love Dwarf Fortress and Journey (and Alpha Centauri, and, and, and...), I have an adopted older cat called Xavier (trying to teach him to use a harness - ask me how that's going), and I play Support but I'm too scared to do Ranked yet (waiting for ranked team builder). Also, I use parentheses (and commas) too often.

I'm super excited about VR, 3d printing, algae, spaaaaaace, cooking/baking themed foods, and Doctor Who. Oh, and I'm Scottish.

Let's natter!

475 Comments

Stufftough16 votes

Why did League of Legends ruin my life with every toxic player, afk, troll, harassing comment? Why is there even a fucking chat box in the game when all its used for is harassing and telling a teammate they fucked up? Why is this the WORST FUCKING COMMUNITY IN ALL OF GAMING? Can I go back in time and never play this garbage piece of shit unbalanced game please?

HidelnBush94 votes

if you don't like it, don't play it. It is the most played game in the world for a reason though. also, watch your swearing... sounds like you are the one who makes league of legends a bad environment.

biologist1112 votes

What champion do you find annoying to play against even if the champion is not that good you still dislike playing against them in annoyance?

RiotBioluminescence51 votes

{quoted}

What champion do you find annoying to play against even if the champion is not that good you still dislike playing against them in annoyance?

I have a special dislike for Janna. She's like a boring teacher in kindergarten, stopping all the fights and making everyone play nice. Boring Janna. Grr.

Run Up3 votes

At least she isn't like Malzahar who is literally the hitler of league of legends, he summons suicide bombers after making commands then presses r and turns you into ash.

humphreydump8 votes

i have questions :3 1.favorite lore of a single champion at any point of league and why? 2.how often do you play league of legends with randoms? 3.are there any plans for urgot skins or chroma packs in the future? (we all know he needs a new pair of smexy legs)

RiotBioluminescence13 votes

{quoted}

i have questions :3 1.favorite lore of a single champion at any point of league and why? 2.how often do you play league of legends with randoms? 3.are there any plans for urgot skins or chroma packs in the future? (we all know he needs a new pair of smexy legs)

Hello Humphreydump. Your name is fun to say out loud :D

  1. Hrmm..... I'm not sure about a fave lore. I rather like Diana's, and I wish Sona's had more depth, and I keep wondering if Kalista, in her new one, is a princess. Can't answer - question too hard.

  2. I play League maybe 2 or 3 times every 3 days or so, and recently it's been vs. bot games to practice Nautilus. Always with randoms :) I very seldomly play teambuilder games with the peeps on my team, but the rank range is huge. I am unranked, we have bronzies and a platinum and gold player. It's super random who we get put up against.

  3. I do not know! But I approve of lots of new prostheses for anyone who needs them (or wants them - there are some pretty amazing fashion prostheses being made these days, like the one in the Lady Gaga video. Hrm. Lady Gaga inspired Urgot? Who's with me?)

humphreydump20 votes

+1 for the lady gaga urgot

AMYS GRAVE8 votes

As one of the most prominent rioters who posts regularly on the boards what do you think about the state of communication between rioters and the community?

EDIT:

https://38.media.tumblr.com/2a2917e329c55c1d3b0bfa537dbaf979/tumblr_n29wk70p8s1r051rko1_500.gif

I imagine you like this btw...

RiotBioluminescence25 votes

{quoted}

As one of the most prominent rioters who posts regularly on the boards what do you think about the state of communication between rioters and the community?

EDIT:

https://38.media.tumblr.com/2a2917e329c55c1d3b0bfa537dbaf979/tumblr_n29wk70p8s1r051rko1_500.gif

I imagine you like this btw...

I am ok with being compared to Tennant's Doctor :) I need better shoes for it, obviously.

I think far more could be done to have more communication between Rioters and Players. It's waaaaay too quiet over on the red side of the equation. However, I understand that a) a lot of Rioters are craaaazy busy, and b) many Rioters are craaaaazy terrified of saying the wrong thing.

I think the only way to solve that is to get more Rioters talking so they can get over their fears (exposure therapy?) but that's a viscous circle. Despite being as old as the dinosaurs (almost - chickens are dinosaurs, right?) I am all kinds of excited by the opportunities that the new hyperconnected relationship between players and developers affords and I'd love to see us experiment with new ways of expressing that relationship. Them's fancy words for saying "Why do we have to do this the old way? Maybe there are new ways of working WITH players?!"

But that's a super hard, super scary, potentially disastrous experiment to do. Exciting though! :D I may lack a healthy amount of fear.

Pikalicious8 votes

It is so sad how the best question and answer get the least amount of buzz.

Vandelay5557 votes

Any word on making the games (plural) part of Riot Games come true? I'd be interested to see what else riot would make.

RiotBioluminescence14 votes

The word is... yes.

The when is... unknown as yet.

AthenasVendetta7 votes

Hey, Bioluminescence

Considering the massive story and bio rework in progress... Will we be seeing a Story Mode for this game? Perhaps placing players vs bots or Players vs Players? To play out the Story of League of Legends?

Is there any secrets or things we can know that you're working on?

Thanks, that's all I got for now.

RiotBioluminescence6 votes

{quoted}

Hey, Bioluminescence

Considering the massive story and bio rework in progress... Will we be seeing a Story Mode for this game? Perhaps placing players vs bots or Players vs Players? To play out the Story of League of Legends?

Is there any secrets or things we can know that you're working on?

Thanks, that's all I got for now.

Alas, the nature of secrets is that I cannot share them :(

A Story Mode for League would be interesting, and I've read quite a few threads from people who have suggestions for it. What story would you want to play?

Bard Rock6 votes

Cokeitem 2003 or Pepsiitem 2004 ?

RiotBioluminescence10 votes

{quoted}

Cokeitem 2003 or Pepsiitem 2004 ?

Actually, I prefer cube cola. I very seldom drink carbonated drinks (too fizzy! gives me burps and goes up my nose) so I prefer slightly flat cola if anything. I have one of those soda stream machines and they say to press but button 3 times, but I only press twice! Imma cola rebel.

Xainfried2 votes

If you burp with your mouth open, that shouldn't happen :D

RiotBioluminescence6 votes

{quoted}

If you burp with your mouth open, that shouldn't happen :D

Ugh - I hate when I accidentally burp with my mouth closed, so it goes out my nose and the bubbles fizz in my sinuses and it hurts/tickles SO BADLY. Beverages shouldn't be so traumatic.

TurquoiseYoshi6 votes

Three questions:

1: Are there any questions you wanted asked before you did this? I know that whenever I do any sort of Q&A thing, there are questions that I want to answer that never get asked.

2: You work on a very large number of things. If you can tell us, what are you working on currently?

3: What has Riot been doing to prepare for the Lollipoppining? Is there even any way to prepare for it?

RiotBioluminescence9 votes

{quoted}

Three questions:

1: Are there any questions you wanted asked before you did this? I know that whenever I do any sort of Q&A thing, there are questions that I want to answer that never get asked.

2: You work on a very large number of things. If you can tell us, what are you working on currently?

3: What has Riot been doing to prepare for the Lollipoppining? Is there even any way to prepare for it?

  1. I would like someone to ask me what skin I'd like to see for a champ. Anyone? I promise the answer is both ambitious and controversial!

  2. I am currently assigned to 2.5 teams at Riot. The 0.5 is because I'm working on something for Foundations in my spare time. Believe me though, if someone ever says that working on two teams at once is stress free - they're telling porky pies. That situation shouldn't last much longer though, whew. I am also dabbling with writing lines for one new champ and one reworked champ - but that's not a big demand on my time. I've also asked if I can get source control access to League so I can learn how map mods (like Bilgewater Brawlers) are made. Not because I think I'll be able to make a shippable one, but because I want to know what's involved. Also, in my spare time I'm working on a light gun game for funzies. I'll probably never finish it though!

  3. Aaah. The Lollipoppining. I have seen the scribbles of mad men in the internal art sharing page and I have to say... none will be spared. Their minds were lost in her presence, her madness contagious and her grimace terrible. It's like the original definition of the word 'aweful' - like they used for volcanos in the Victorian era.

Deep Terror Nami3 votes

What skin would you like to see? :3 Is it something that already has fan concept art you can share?

RiotBioluminescence30 votes

[{quoted}](name=Deep Terror Nami,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=kd4Beftq,comment-id=001f00000000,timestamp=2015-11-04T22:24:22.026+0000)

What skin would you like to see? :3 Is it something that already has fan concept art you can share?

I want to see...

Senna Lucian. It'd have to be a super fancy, lots-of-work skin, but I'd like to see Lucian's kit on a Senna model. New VO, new animations, new mesh, the lot. Basically, an alternate universe skin where Lucian was captured by Thresh, and Senna is on the vengeance war path. I think that'd be cool.

Not sure if there's a fan concept out there, but I imagine there could be. Playable Senna isn't a new idea after all, but maybe not as a 'skin' for Lucian.

Apphroditte14 votes

[(http://dr-grizscald.deviantart.com/art/fem-Lucian-the-Purifier-fanart-560870618)] behold a masterpiece

Orisi5 votes

Did someone do a gender bent Lucian or is this actually genuinely Senna Lucian and you just found Bioluminescence's soulmate?

That name is so hard to spell at 2am...

Sneak Dog6 votes

Hi Bio.

Don't really have a question, just popping in to say thank you for putting effort into communicating with fans as extensively as you do.

RiotBioluminescence8 votes

[{quoted}](name=Sneak Dog,realm=EUW,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=kd4Beftq,comment-id=0028,timestamp=2015-11-04T22:06:53.553+0000)

Hi Bio.

Don't really have a question, just popping in to say thank you for putting effort into communicating with fans as extensively as you do.

Thanks, Sneak Dog. It's always good to see you around the boards - I'm rubbish with names generally, but you're one of the people I recognize :)

Kadavik4 votes

I second that 100% Bio has been with us since the retcon shitstorm, and she has proven players and reds can get along 100% of the time.

A1ways 4ward5 votes

Dragonmaster Swain Please

Zenthon Prime4 votes
  1. OK seriously, what exactly do you do anyway?
  2. What/who do you main?
  3. Who's your favorite other Rioter?
RiotBioluminescence9 votes

{quoted}

  1. OK seriously, what exactly do you do anyway?
  2. What/who do you main?
  3. Who's your favorite other Rioter?

  1. I level design - duh! Well, actually - I do a lot more. Level design, at it's most abstract, is where the rubber hits the road in game design. Systems designers might make the fancy combat systems or game mechanics that underlie the rest of the game, but if the level designer doesn't create just the right challenges and environments to show those systems off, then the game will never shine! Also, my personal interest is in crafting experiences for players - whether that's a story they experience, or an emotion they feel, or a relationship with another player. People are a hard problem - a really exciting challenge!

  2. I main Sona, normally, but I've been playing a lot of Thresh and Nautilus recently. Only Astronautilus though - because that skin is super amazing and I was on a total The Martian obsession.

  3. Ah ha! Trick question as my bf is also a Rioter! So it has to be him. He's not done red name training, so he's sekrit. We started at Riot at the same time.

Deep Terror Nami3 votes

Hey Bio, fancy meeting you here! I have two questions;

  1. What exactly does a Level Designer do. The things that nobody else does, because you all obviously have many overlapping duties.

  2. What is your favorite pizza? Both toppings and crust.

RiotBioluminescence5 votes

[{quoted}](name=Deep Terror Nami,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=kd4Beftq,comment-id=0000,timestamp=2015-11-04T21:10:14.760+0000)

Hey Bio, fancy meeting you here! I have two questions;

  1. What exactly does a Level Designer do. The things that nobody else does, because you all obviously have many overlapping duties.

  2. What is your favorite pizza? Both toppings and crust.

  1. Depending on the studio, a level designer can be anything from a scripter-programmer who writes code to trigger all the gameplay stuffs in a game, aaaaall the way on the other end of the spectrum where a level designer might be an environment artist responsible for creating the playable spaces that a player moves through. And everything in between. In my previous jobs, I've generally trended towards grey-boxing environments for gameplay purposes, creating puzzles and fights in those spaces, and creating any story telling that goes on in the spaces. Varies from place to place though!

  2. Generally I'll enjoy ham and mushroom, but after recently having some overly meaty meat feast pizzas, I think I'd be happy with a mushroom/onion/olive one as a lighter contrast.

bäd3 votes

Hello Bioluminescence, thanks for sharing your knowledge with everyone! I love to talk about design so I wish I could ask many questions. But I narrowed down to two design question that I hope to hear your insight on! And one unrelated request for a recommendation, because basically I am curious.

1.) What is a lesson you have learned about design while working with a large team like Riot, which hosts a broad range of talent?

2.) Is there anything in particular that you try to avoid in your design work?

3.) Would you share one, or some, of your favorite stories in any form of literature?

Thanks for your time!

RiotBioluminescence7 votes

{quoted}

Hello Bioluminescence, thanks for sharing your knowledge with everyone! I love to talk about design so I wish I could ask many questions. But I narrowed down to two design question that I hope to hear your insight on! And one unrelated request for a recommendation, because basically I am curious.

1.) What is a lesson you have learned about design while working with a large team like Riot, which hosts a broad range of talent?

2.) Is there anything in particular that you try to avoid in your design work?

3.) Would you share one, or some, of your favorite stories in any form of literature?

Thanks for your time!

Hey, ticilpxe - cool name.

  1. Design lesson I've learned at Riot; think globally. Just because I happen to speak English and live in the USA, doesn't mean that my perspective has ANY relevance to the majority of players, all over the world.

  2. I try to avoid being precious. If, when you're thinking about a design of yours, you find yourself thinking "I hope they don't ask me about that bit..." then STOP! You have a flaw in your design and you need to buck up and address it - before someone else does. It's all too easy to sweep it under the rug and hope it'll go away. It won't. Abandon the design if you have to - just don't leave it with a weakness.

  3. Uh... Stories. Hrm. I love a good Heroes Journey, but for the sake of silliness, I'll say that I have a terrible weakness for the slightly trashy fantasy novel series, Magic's Pawn. It's not big - it's not clever - but when I was a teen those books made me CRY. Ugh, even looking at the spine of the books would set me off.

Irish the Slayer3 votes
  1. Ur awesome cuz ur scottish and help out in random things at riot ^_^
  2. Who's ur favorite Doctor and episode of doctor who?
  3. What are some of the things that u've worked on that you are the most well known for?
  4. What's your favorite thing you've worked on before? Sorry for so many questions lol Also I'm so happy that this is happening on my birthday AND I get an awesome free champ rotation lol
RiotBioluminescence7 votes

[{quoted}](name=Irish the Slayer,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=kd4Beftq,comment-id=0012,timestamp=2015-11-04T21:30:14.391+0000)

  1. Ur awesome cuz ur scottish and help out in random things at riot ^_^
  2. Who's ur favorite Doctor and episode of doctor who?
  3. What are some of the things that u've worked on that you are the most well known for?
  4. What's your favorite thing you've worked on before? Sorry for so many questions lol Also I'm so happy that this is happening on my birthday AND I get an awesome free champ rotation lol

Happy birthday! Woo! :D Gratz rl ding, etc.

  1. This isn't a question! But thanks :)
  2. I think I love 12 the most. He's grumpy, old, Scottish and ascerbic. I did love 7, 8 (yep, from the movie), 9 and 10 though. And 4. Hrm.
  3. Probably best known for working on Bioshock Infinite before coming to Riot. I also worked on 'cult classic' 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. Not as bad as it could have been!
  4. Favorite thing I've worked on!? Oh cripes. I love them all and I hate them all. Love them, because they were all part of my life and you pour yourself into them. Hate them because you always want them to be better. But you put it aside and make sure the next thing is even better :D
brandonf1313 votes

I'm very interested in game design, but don't know where to start (I'm just beginning). Do you have any pointers or suggestions for me?

Note: I'm only 15 years old so I know I can't take college courses or any of that kind of stuff.

Also, can you tell us anything about Illaoi that wasn't revealed in the Harrowing story.

Thanks and have a nice day.

RiotBioluminescence8 votes

{quoted}

I'm very interested in game design, but don't know where to start (I'm just beginning). Do you have any pointers or suggestions for me?

Note: I'm only 15 years old so I know I can't take college courses or any of that kind of stuff.

Also, can you tell us anything about Illaoi that wasn't revealed in the Harrowing story.

Thanks and have a nice day.

The resources available to someone who wants to learn game design are MINDBLOWING these days! You could mod, you could gamejam, you could work in a total conversion team - you could even do boardgame design! There is nothing to stop you starting work on a portfolio of game design today and setting yourself up for a future in development. Depending on what part of game design you want to get into, you should find a smaller, independant version to give a try. Want to make platformer level design? Mario has you covered. Want to do FPS? Unreal and Source2 are waiting for you to download. Want to make your own engine? Unity, Unreal, and Game Maker are super accessible and tutorials are everywhere.

As the man says - "Just DOOO it!"

Can't say anything about Illaoi - they'll break my fingers if I do. Or something. It'd hurt, either way.

HappyHappyChaos2 votes

Oh I got one!

Got any weird or funny stories you'd like to share while working at Riot?

RiotBioluminescence11 votes

{quoted}

Oh I got one!

Got any weird or funny stories you'd like to share while working at Riot?

You know, I've been putting off this question (one of the first ones entered!) trying to figure out what a funny or weird story I've had here might be... and I can't think of any. Total mind blank.

I hope you will accept a photograph of the Bilgewater temporary tattoos I made and wore because I was so excited about the Burning Tides thing. I handed them out around the office.

http://imgur.com/da41Oyb

Forgive me?

Rawrr2 votes

If you could combine any two champions who would they be and why ?

RiotBioluminescence12 votes

[{quoted}](name=Nom Nom Express,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=kd4Beftq,comment-id=0011,timestamp=2015-11-04T21:27:56.107+0000)

If you could combine any two champions who would they be and why ?

I think Draven and Gnar - for the dream of having a Mega Draven. But I'm not sure the world is ready for such awesomeness.

Worst Morgana2 votes

What part of working at Riot is your favorite?

And also if you could have a champion as a best friend whom would it be?

RiotBioluminescence10 votes

[{quoted}](name=DDG Sideliner,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=kd4Beftq,comment-id=0019,timestamp=2015-11-04T21:32:44.557+0000)

What part of working at Riot is your favorite?

And also if you could have a champion as a best friend whom would it be?

I like the hustle and bustle of Riot - so much going on all the time. There is, in fact, far too much going on for me to even know about a fraction of it! But it does mean that if I hear about something interesting, I can ask if I can learn more about it. People are often super accommodating to let me in on things :D I am very nosy.

Champ best friend... hrm. Bard. We would go on magical journeys together to incredible places! Also - health packs. I would play hide and seek with the meeps and help point out chimes.

Raxan1 votes

Hey Bio!

What's your favorite role in LoL?

RiotBioluminescence18 votes

{quoted}

Hey Bio!

What's your favorite role in LoL?

Support 4 Lyfe. With a smile and a ward, I will protect my ADC!

Precishen8 votes

Sometimes icy heart just needs warm smile.

Advirsity1 votes

as a player do you ever encounter toxic people? do you have any power in getting them banned yourself? just wondering C:TahmKench

RiotBioluminescence8 votes

{quoted}

as a player do you ever encounter toxic people? do you have any power in getting them banned yourself? just wondering C:TahmKench

I see some toxic players on occasion, but as you can see, I do not have 'Riot' in front of my name so they don't know I'm a Rioter. I may have messed up my secret identity today...

And no - I have no special powers to ban anyone. I mute them, report them the same as anyone else might do, and move on. They don't deserve any more of my day than that. Sometimes I try to calm the situation down - like Support mains are known to do :)

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