Since it's clear Riot's lore team is too small for the task at hand, I was wondering why Riot doesn't try outsourcing for writers, web artists, etc. Is it something with your policy that simply says "that'd be illegal!"?
I can give a reasoning, although it may be a stretch and far from the truth; For creative matters, like the lore of League, when someone creates a champ, they have in mind and heart the spirit of the champ, and are easily able to bring that personality out. Giving the reins to someone else to attempt to reproduce has varied results, and normally not good.
Additionally, having people on the outside do something continuous like the lore (which seems to be ever so changing), they lose a key member if that person isn't available the next time they need a story written up, possibly one that continues from where they left off.
I too am curious. I, myself, possess a fondness for writing. Particularly short stories. It wouldn't be a hassle to enable the community to volunteer and submit stories and allow the lore team to assess these stories and edit their favourites to their liking.
It's likely the real issue behind this retcon is that Riot is paying wages for an area of League they do not hold in high esteem. It's probable they're cutting staff and shutting the lore department down, they just relayed that in a rather underhanded way to the community.
I could well be wrong, though it's illogical to have a lore team for lore that will no longer be created. Perhaps one indivudal to personally write all the champion profiles. I, personally, believe it's a money over community move and those moves are occurring more frequently.
Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure they do that to some extent. I remember reading somewhere that they contract artists for some things. Can't say about the lore dept. specifically. I've not read much about how they work
