Evelynn - Background and Concept Change
So I don't normally complain. I try and give feedback to LOL through the online surveys when I am invited and have time. I have played for quite some time now. I have hosted large scale LOL tournaments (largest ~ 120 players). I have run an E-Sports Club at the local high school. I love E-Sports and gaming. One of the things I have emphasized continually with the teenagers that come to play is to be good players and be good kids. Unfortunately, the gaming world is littered with misrepresentation of men but particularly women in a pornographic nature.
I understand that sex sells and that is how skins are purchased and Riot makes a good amount of money off of it. I don't agree with it but I understand that I am not the norm in that situation (my wife and my friend's wives definitely hate it). But I felt that I needed to say something about the Evelynn rework. She is the epitome of not only sex, but violent sex. She represents the most corrupt form of sexual interaction. Not only are her skins inappropriate but far worse are her statements that she makes in the game. I like her as a champion to play, enjoy her skills and abilities. I do not enjoy listening to her comments that she makes and seeing what she represents throughout the game.
I am asking you to change something. Either have this gross representation be a skin that you can purchase or change it all together. I don't like playing Evelynn for these reasons. I recognize that I can "opt out" of the Evelynn by not playing her, turning the volume down on her comments. The point is, this affects more than just me. It affects all the teenage boys and girls that play this game and listen to what Evelynn is portraying. That violent sex is gratifying and OK. That luring people into violent sexual experiences is OK. That League of Legends and Riot Games is a company that supports the portrayal of violent sex. Evelynn always represented this before, which I didn't like, but it was toned down quite a bit. This new version is fully shouting out about what Evelynn portrays through gratifying and praising it.
I have a four year old daughter and a two year old daughter. I have never felt that any character was "too much" for me to feel terribly uncomfortable playing with them in the same room as myself. Evelynn has made me feel this way. I understand that this game is rated T not E. But I believe this change would require it to change from T to something else.
I recognize that I am just one person. But I represent a community of kids and concerned parents that I have been trying desperately to fight against pornography, misrepresentation of women and misrepresentation of real social and sexual interactions. I hope that by writing this to you that you (Riot Games) can at least be aware that there are people out there that are concerned about the change to Evelynn. Please consider making a change or at least in the future to think about the moral impact that you have on the young (also adult) minds that play your game.
Thanks! I enjoy League of Legends. It has kept friendships and created new ones. I just hope that this game remains a game for the majority of people to feel comfortable playing.