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Champion Diversity

Darth7urtle··2 votes·630 views

Hey riot, At the moment, there are currently 2 black champions in the game. Other than that, there are very little champions that aren't white. (Karma being one of the main ones) Other than Armor of the Fifth Taric Taric , there is really no LGBT+ champions in league. Even Taric isn't cannon LGBT+. I think that you should really add some LGBT+ champions. So the next time you release a human champion, maybe try to make him/her LGBT+ and maybe not white. Thanks :) also, While illaoi isn't lgbt, she is a great example, she's a black women that doesn't have exploding boobs, a tiny waist, and that stuff, she is masculine, which is awesome, because it's riot saying "Hey, not all girls should or have to be this barbie doll person!

Edit: thanks for all the replies, I have read them all and I thank you for putting the time to post them. Some of them have been eye opening, however, I still think that diversity and representation is important, but it shouldn't be forced, and if it has to be forced than I would rather have it not be their. Anything that's forced is generally not good.

17 Comments

Z Statistic2 votes

The following champions do not possess white skin:

Aatrox Alistar Amumu Anivia Azir Bard Blitzcrank Brand Chogath DrMundo Evelynn Fiddlesticks Fizz Galio Gnar Hecarim Heimerdinger Jax Kalista Karthus Khazix Kindred KogMaw Lissandra Lulu Malphite Maokai Mordekaiser Nami Nasus Nautilus Nocturne Orianna Poppy Rammus RekSai Renekton Rengar Rumble Ryze Shaco Shyvana Sion Skarner Soraka TahmKench Thresh Tristana Trundle Twitch Varus Veigar Velkoz Viktor Volibear Warwick MonkeyKing Xerath Yorick Zac Zed Ziggs

Note that I'm excluding all of champions who are covered but potentially may have white skin or the ones that are from Ionia and could be arguably white because I'm only interested in posting the ones that absolutely are not white by any stretch of the imagination. That is virtually half of the roster. Saying only a few champions are non-white suggests that virtually all of the characters are white humans. We have a diverse roster. And even among the human champions, there are a ton of different races and ethnicities. But all of that doesn't matter. You what does matter? Character quality.

Riot need only make amazing characters. If they happen to be black, then they are black. If they happen to be gay, then they are gay. Valve did not make the demoman black because they looked at this roster of 9 mercs and decided one of them needed to be black. He was originally white. However, they decided to make every single one of them ludicrous and over-the-top. The fact that demo is black makes his character that much more amazing because how many 'black Scottish cyclopses' have you ever seen?

There is no discernible reason to say, 'we need a gay champion' as if the fact that he is gay is something noteworthy. We need amazing characters and personalities. If you want to suggest a gay character with a great personality who is fun to play as and against, I will applaud you. Not anymore than anyone else who can make a straight character with a great personality who is fun to play as and against, but making any character that feels alive is no small feat.

The main reason I am firm on this is because every single time a game dev tries to increase diversity for the sake of representation, they get backlash from the very people they are catering to. Rito doesn't need to waste time catering to people who will scream at them more than the whiners complaining about CertainlyT's new champion. They just need to make amazing champion personalities and to hell with what race, religion, sexual orientation, or mental state they have.

Darth7urtle1 votes

You make many valid points, and while I definitely agree with you on most parts, I think that it would be kind of lazy on riot's part to not try. If they tried and it just didn't work, I would applaud that. Also, to your list of champions, I was originally thinking human character diversity, because a lot of those champs are yordles, animals, or other things. But you are certainly right about them. Thanks for replying :)

IxtaliKing1 votes

Illaoi, Lucian and Karma are black, I'm sure there will be more darker skinned champs at some point. There are also plenty of other champs who aren't white like Akali, Irelia, Yasuo and pretty much most people from Ionia or Shurima. In regards to the whole LGBT thing, I'm not sure Taric is confirmed to be or not, but I can't imagine how something like that can really be relevant to the game or its lore.

Darth7urtle1 votes

From what you listed there are about 6-10 people of color. Out of what, 123 champions, that still isn't a lot. As to what you said about LGBT not being relevant to lore or game play. This is true, but it is about representation. People what to be able to relate to the champions they play as. I'm going to assume you are a cis male (race isn't super important, so I'm not going to include it) You can play as all of the male champions and feel related to them in some way. Or you can be one of those people who use pop star ahriAhri (no judgement, just a person type) Now lets say you are a lesbian transgender girl (a girl born in a boy's body) No champion is similar to you. all the girls are too sexualized, with boobs you'll never have even with 1000 implants, and they all look and seem straight. You are controlling a total stranger. It may be hard to imagine because it doesn't exist for you, but just try to imagine what that would be like. Does it affect game play, no. Does it affect overall experience? Hell yah it does.

FloRaider421 votes

all the girls are too sexualized

And then you realize that even with years spend in a gym working out, a guy will never look like Braum item 3070item 3070 .

That said it is hard to imagine for me, so I would like to know what exactly you want from such a champion. I can't think of a way to make a character LGBT without feeling incredibly forced, so I really would like to hear how you would do that.

Darth7urtle1 votes

I think that while it might be forced, if there is no force, than it won't happen. It will just not be their. Their has to be some force, but if they can't do it, I would applaud them for trying. Let's just say this champ is a gay male, he would have a kit and an attitude that is flamboyant, and that reflects around the idea of showing off, something similar to Draven but with more flare, also it wouldn't be an executioner, definitely not.

FloRaider421 votes

My main problem with such a champion is that you can't create a kit around it or lore for that matter. He would just be a flamboyant champion (like Taric) and unless you make him gush over champions like Braum etc. (which again feels extremly forced) there isn't really a way to make their sexuality canon. Food for thought: Apart from some confirmed romances we don't know anything about the sexuality of most champions anyway

Darth7urtle1 votes

valid. But do any of the characters feel/seem lgbt? I think that if they make a kit, but it doesn't really work for a manly man, or a lux girl, make it a gay guy you know?

IxtaliKing2 votes

I see where you're coming from completely, representation is very important. As a black cis male even though my race and gender is represented, I still don't relate to Lucian or Ekko any way. When it comes to relating to a champ there's a lot more than just their color or gender to relate to, for example; personally I relate most to Bard, a wandering free spirit who helps where it's needed. Bard has no gender, it's not even human, but what it does is what I aspire to do. I'd like to travel the world helping people, in a quiet and subtle way, without attracting much attention, like Bard.

While we're on the topic though, what would be your ideal champion?

Vbunnie1 votes

{quoted}

I see where you're coming from completely, representation is very important. As a black cis male even though my race and gender is represented, I still don't relate to Lucian or Ekko any way. When it comes to relating to a champ there's a lot more than just their color or gender to relate to, for example; personally I relate most to Bard, a wandering free spirit who helps where it's needed. Bard has no gender, it's not even human, but what it does is what I aspire to do. I'd like to travel the world helping people, in a quiet and subtle way, without attracting much attention, like Bard.

While we're on the topic though, what would be your ideal champion?

My Ideal champion would be one with a persona that is both theatric and cunning something like a mix between shaco and Jihn..... shaco for his trickery and Jihn for the theatrics no I dont want someone crazy like shaco but rather more mellowheaded.... One who is not evil or good but somewhere in between.... I would also like this champion to utilize elemental magic and not the likes of Leblanc she isnt really what I am going at I want something a little more masculline then leblanc

IxtaliKing1 votes

Sounds interesting xD

Darth7urtle1 votes

interesting :) if I had to make one, I personally would be someone who is never afraid to do dumb stuff, but is also very centered. He would be slightly masculine but not a macho man. He would just be fun to play cuz he has silly gimmick that is fun to screw around with. Other than that idk :P

Darth7urtle1 votes

I like how you put that, personally, as a white cis male, I relate to braum a lot, but because he is goofy but also loves his friends and would do anything to keep them safe. I also relate to jinx, cuz who doesn't like explosions![slayer-jinx-wink]

IxtaliKing1 votes

Wow Braum, you sound like you'd be an amazing friend to have :).

Darth7urtle1 votes

why thank you :)

Vbunnie2 votes

{quoted}

From what you listed there are about 6-10 people of color. Out of what, 123 champions, that still isn't a lot. As to what you said about LGBT not being relevant to lore or game play. This is true, but it is about representation. People what to be able to relate to the champions they play as. I'm going to assume you are a cis male (race isn't super important, so I'm not going to include it) You can play as all of the male champions and feel related to them in some way. Or you can be one of those people who use pop star ahriAhri (no judgement, just a person type) Now lets say you are a lesbian transgender girl (a girl born in a boy's body) No champion is similar to you. all the girls are too sexualized, with boobs you'll never have even with 1000 implants, and they all look and seem straight. You are controlling a total stranger. It may be hard to imagine because it doesn't exist for you, but just try to imagine what that would be like. Does it affect game play, no. Does it affect overall experience? Hell yah it does.

What about all of those yordle and not human champions we have even some non humanoid all together....... yeah how is that for diversity champions that arent even humanoid...... Oh yeah and Jinx with her small chest size and such or Lamb and Wolf or even Anivia.....

Darth7urtle1 votes

I didn't even consider jinx, damn I need to think things out more :P Also, Kindred and Anivia both aren't human, and when I made the post I was thinking strictly human diversity, we have plenty representation of the animal kingdom :)

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