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Dear Narrative, what is our exact role as Lore Fans?

TerraRising·10/17/2014, 7:54:46 PM·25 votes·2,251 views

Well, it's been two weeks since Jaredan said that "technical difficulties" prevented the full champ bios from reaching the website pages and one week since the last significant discussion about fan input (Let's Talk Biographies.) Since then... nothing. Again, it's better communication from Narrative than in the past, but nowhere near where it actually should be.

At this moment, it honestly feels like they're stringing us along with minor conversations and trinkets while the major work is being done behind the scenes, without our input, knowledge or support. Of course, this plan of action will work, just like the previous times it's happened... oh.

So, I put it out there as a question for the Narrative team: What is our role as lore fans supposed to be, in the eyes of Riot and their Narrative team? Are we supposed to just be passive drones, absorbing these new stories (released at the leisure of Narrative) without criticizing too harshly or at all? Assuming the website stories will not be previewed (like the #PBE) and just released onto the champ pages when ready, are we really encouraged to give honest opinions when these stories are eventually released in the hopes that they will ever be changed for the better?

Seriously, are we lore fans just eagerly waiting for something that will never happen. Should we give up our hopes that Narrative will become a community-friendly team of Rioters that actively seeks and accepts our input as well as acknowledges our passion for this stuff?

You tell me, Riot.

27 Comments

Earl Eulrich10/18/2014, 12:41:27 AM11 votes

Well, at least for me my frustration turned to resignation. I´ll just cling to the old lore like an alcoholic to his bottle, living in my own (lore-)universe.

GenoXx10/17/2014, 8:23:11 PM10 votes

They keep us on the hook, while they fish for answers. Sadly I've lost my faith and respect.

Dotintheparadox10/17/2014, 9:23:18 PM8 votes

They have shown a complete disregard to the actual lore fans as of late, with both new and old lore supporters.

They have shown a willingness to take chances, but the completely wrong ones.

They are no longer who I will listen to for any kind of lore, if this is how they handle this universe.

http://imgur.com/sp2cxgD No More.

Kikirino10/18/2014, 1:47:58 AM8 votes

Do you remember back several years ago they would have Lore updates in the form of a kind of newspaper in the game telling lore junkies what was happening in the world? I cannot remember what it was called because it was so long ago... Journal of something? Do you remember when there were little stories that went along with skin sales?

I love lore. I have asked, on more than one occasion, for lore to actually play a role in the game with faction specific queues. At this point, I don't want that because they keep changing lore. Not subtle, small changes either. Complete fucking overhauls. Remember how Trundle used to be a great troll that took on his tribes disease so his people didn't have to suffer? Now he is a mischievous, leader that beats people into submission. How.... how do they even come up with that? At least use the old lore as the foundation for the new lore. They claim using the old lore is too difficult. How about you get better at your job. That is a fucking cop out excuse and every lore junkie knows this. "We don't know how to take this old character and turn him into this new character so let's just remove the old one."

I have completely given up on lore... and I am someone that loves lore. I played WoW for 4 years and know more lore than my 10+ year playing friends. I hear Xerath and Sivir got new lore. Sadly, I wouldn't know because I abandoned League lore a long time ago... Just like Riot did.

CupcakeTrap10/18/2014, 1:15:32 AM5 votes

At this moment, it honestly feels like they're stringing us along with minor conversations and trinkets while the major work is being done behind the scenes, without our input, knowledge or support.

An excellent summation.

Gunpoint10/17/2014, 11:53:25 PM4 votes

Riot makes the lore, you read the lore, and you then appreciate the lore. If you fail to appreciate the lore, you aern't a fan of the lore. {{summoner:2}}

Pobbes10/17/2014, 11:10:50 PM3 votes

I have a very strong sneaking suspicion of Lore actually getting a serious overhaul. This is all speculation, but the changes to the bios and the lore means that they are decoupling Lore from LoL. This may seem like a bad thing but it means something more important, Lore will have its own space other than a paragraph on the client. So, they will have rooms to tell more stories.

However, (here is where I turn the speculation train into a rocket ship) Riot recently posted for a R&D game developer position to work on games that are not League of Legends. This reminded me of something I thought of some time ago when the Lore team said, "League of Legends is not a good game to tell Lore stories." which made me think, "Well, then they should really just make new video games to tell Lore stories." Nothing fancy, but explore other genres with their now abundant Lore and characters with a dedicated IP with a fanbase. I think that is exactly what they are doing. I think Riot is expanding Valoran Lore beyond the bounds of League of Legends by making other games set in Valoran starring League. Games that can actually have a storyline. Games that could, possibly, allow the player to choose their own endings.

It's also possible I've gone mad and Riot isn't doing this at all. However, if they are Pobbes the Prophet 2014.

McGunnickle10/18/2014, 2:30:59 AM3 votes

I really dont get all the hate. I consider myself a big fan of the lore, totally understand why the league isnt lore anymore (cause its dumb), did enjoy the shurima stuff, aswell as the sion build up, am confident that the problems with the client will be fixed and find all the character specific lore changes better than what they were before.

and most importantly: i dont think i need to be involved in the creative process.

no movie, book, music or anything i enjoy has ever asked me what i think of the way its going. since when would the artist ask the audience what it wants? its nice if they do it and sometimes cool things could come from it, but seriously, at least 50% of people wanting to be "involved" are kids who have no idea of what a cool story is (in my opinion). thats why a creatve process shouldnt be a democratic one with lots of compromises.

tl,dr: much love to the lore team, i for one really like what they put out

Ark Angel HFB10/19/2014, 4:59:29 PM2 votes

Sadly it would seem the concept of the public beta is lost on the writers...

I mean why would you possible want to get feed back from the people whom you are making the product for?

You are smarter than those people right? You know better than them anyway, right?

Cookiehime10/20/2014, 6:19:06 PM1 votes

For all those who are still extremely bitter at the lore changes, there's always the possibility of finding other games.

Taking a small page from Buddhist philosophy: Desire and attachment is what causes suffering.

I've tried to deal with that and I think it works. No matter how much time, money or emotion you invested in the game and the lore, it does not matter in the end. You had your share of fun. I must say myself, I spent more time than money in the game. But I think it's best to let go of that attachment and seek other games or hobbies, especially if you're having a really hard time adjusting to the changes. By leaving those who enjoy the new lore and the new lore team alone and finding new games that provide you with stuff you like, everyone'll be happy in the end.

So, as a small solution that could alleviate all that turmoil, I found a new MOBA recently which I'd like to suggest to the bitter souls and ONLY to the bitter souls. It's called TOME: Immortal Arena. Imo, it lacks the depth and strategy that LoL has and you may not like it, but you could still give it a try. Do not mistake my suggestion as an attempt at free publicity. I only wish to get rid of all that bitterness on those boards. Just leave and everyone'll be happy.

A brief description of the lore: The premise is kinda similar to what LoL used to be (a bit less constraining imo) and you are called Harbingers in game. There are factions that represent elements (air, fire, water, etc.) which are totally not developed yet. I find the lore and characters to be extremely meh at the moment and I still don't understand most of it. But for those who wished to write about factions and stuff, working with a set premise (like CCT and co.), I'd suggest you take a look. Perhaps you could appeal to those guys and collaborate with them. Maybe even find a job as co-writer if you're willing to improve the established lore. I don't know if they're hiring or willing to hire but perhaps you should take your chances.

Again, I'm suggesting that only to the angry mob and people who are unwilling to accept the changes. No need to keep plaguing the boards with your anger and frustration. No more tormenting the writers and no more conflicts with those who hated the former lore.

I hope that works out for the best.