It would be awesome to discuss the recent lore retcon with the narrative lead at Riot.
Unfortunately, we don't even know who that is, despite there being a board dedicated to story/art.
To any Rioters that see this, could you help set up a Q&A for us with the Narrative Lead at Riot?
ThorRush3 votesI do want you to know, we're not leaderless. We're actually more excited about lore now than we have been in a long time. We're making significant strides, the team is rapidly evolving, but sometimes changes take a bit of time to get to you.
In terms of our narrative lead, I feel some topics should remain private. But I will say, it's not about backlash at all. I think the strategy outlined is a good one. The right one. And that is what we plan to do. Also, that lead never strayed from a challenge! He has my deepest respect. But some topics are personal and should stay that way.
We need to be able to tell great stories about our champions in a really robust way. Some folks will disagree with how we approach it. That's okay. We get it. At the same time, we're excited by the possibilities. This is a journey, and we're committed to it.
We also understand that nothing we say right now will really matter. No words will make it better. The only thing that matters now is better stories. Better content. I know "soon" is frustrating. But I think in this case, time is the only thing that will prove our commitment.
I don't think knowing who the "narrative lead" is is a big priority. We knew about Kitae and we kind of knew about Tom Abernathy. All we got out of it was the ability to flame them - not any actual dialogue.
We should just talk to the Rioters who do drop by the forums. They're limited in what they can say to us, but they're saying what they can, now.
Sneak Dog2 votesWe need to be able to tell great stories about our champions in a really robust way. Some folks will disagree with how we approach it. That's okay. We get it. At the same time, we're excited by the possibilities. This is a journey, and we're committed to it.
Sounds like they're not listening, "haters gonna hate". My poor Trundle already fell in their wake, if they don't listen to feedback, I won't be able to like their lore, because for all I know they just replace an old character with a new one whenever it's convenient.
Diahane3 votesI do want you to know, we're not leaderless. We're actually more excited about lore now than we have been in a long time. We're making significant strides, the team is rapidly evolving, but sometimes changes take a bit of time to get to you.
In terms of our narrative lead, I feel some topics should remain private. But I will say, it's not about backlash at all. I think the strategy outlined is a good one. The right one. And that is what we plan to do. Also, that lead never strayed from a challenge! He has my deepest respect. But some topics are personal and should stay that way.
We need to be able to tell great stories about our champions in a really robust way. Some folks will disagree with how we approach it. That's okay. We get it. At the same time, we're excited by the possibilities. This is a journey, and we're committed to it.
We also understand that nothing we say right now will really matter. No words will make it better. The only thing that matters now is better stories. Better content. I know "soon" is frustrating. But I think in this case, time is the only thing that will prove our commitment.
I don't think knowing who the "narrative lead" is is a big priority. We knew about Kitae and we kind of knew about Tom Abernathy. All we got out of it was the ability to flame them - not any actual dialogue.
We should just talk to the Rioters who do drop by the forums. They're limited in what they can say to us, but they're saying what they can, now.
The problem being that the "Story and Art board" may as well be named "Art board", seeing how, save few really rare exceptions, only art-related threads are gifted with a red post reply. And when we got some posts (kudos to Narsil and Jaredan, to whom I am most grateful for at least trying) they were more statements than answers. They just talked about how they view things, without addressing any qualms nor discussing the arguments complaining with a rational and civil approach. So, known or not the lead name, we still get no dialogue out of all this, even though all this mess should have taught them that that is what we are seeking and request of them.
LordHippoman4 votesAgreed. It would just turn into a witch hunt. Riot staff shouldn't have to be afraid to step onto their own forums and discuss the story that they're writing for fear of being screamed at for "doing it all wrong" and getting rape/death threats.
Offering constructive criticism is fine, but all I've seen the past few days is shit like "This isn't your story, it's ours now" or "You don't deserve to be called a writer". People want communication, but we're not getting it so long as all we do is hurl insults. Jaredan shouldn't have to say "Feel free to slap me".
Diahane2 votesAgreed. It would just turn into a witch hunt. Riot staff shouldn't have to be afraid to step onto their own forums and discuss the story that they're writing for fear of being screamed at for "doing it all wrong" and getting rape/death threats.
Offering constructive criticism is fine, but all I've seen the past few days is shit like "This isn't your story, it's ours now" or "You don't deserve to be called a writer". People want communication, but we're not getting it so long as all we do is hurl insults. Jaredan shouldn't have to say "Feel free to slap me".
Of course I agree that this situation shouldn't be the case and that the community, some part of it, is to blame for it. Nonetheless, Riot's has part of the fault too, because they're lacking in moderation of the boards and do not exactly help in avoiding to foster such kind of general anger. By this I don't absolutely mean that the behaviour of those inexcusable persons who have been (or are) rude and threatening and offensive should be pardoned at all or justified, I'd rather see the extreme ones be fairly banned than even thinking for a moment that their outburst was permissible. Nonetheless, Riot's lore team is doing a poor job at trying to get some love from the community and a QA should be the least they could do, given how we've had QAs for so many other things. Not doing one is just like stating that the lore of this game doesn't matter enough to go through the hassle of doing it. And that's the exact feeling they should try to dissipate.
LordHippoman2 votesI definitely agree with you on this one. I think a better moderating policy has been in order for ages, and a Q&A with actual answers beyond "Wait and see!" would help, although I know that's difficult with the way Lore development works.
Sneak Dog1 votesAfter you posted multiple constructive threads with good discussion without any response whatsoever, not even a post in a different thread that seems slightly related, you stop bothering to make your thread constructive I think. There's no reason to anymore, you've had the discussion in which you put all you effort which went ignored, but you do want to complain to Riot. So you just don't put in the effort again, because really you're just shouting at a brick wall.
That's how it feels like to me at least.
Ark Angel HFB2 votesThe conversations turned to hate only after the level headed where disrespected and ignored...
Riot threw the first stone with silence.
Whitakker1 votesI always viewed Narrative as a collaborative of writers, with no true "lead". I think that prevents one person's vision from dominating the direction of whatever story they're trying to tell. That said, here's a quick list of all the Narrative Rioters I can list off the top of my head:
TommyGnox Opeli Entropy Jaredan Narsil Runaan
I'm sure there's more. I am also hesitant to ask for a Q&A when I am almost certain people will try to fill it with hate towards the Narrative Team, despite all of our best level-headed efforts to engage in meaningful conversation. I don't see much getting solved via this option.
TerraRising3 votesTommyGnox is no longer with the company. He was the Riot's "Narrative Lead."
RiotNarsil is an Art Director and has only a passing interest in Narrative.
Whitakker2 votesTommyGnox is no longer with the company. He was the Riot's "Narrative Lead."
RiotNarsil is an Art Director and has only a passing interest in Narrative.
Shows how much I pay attention.
Baron Von Bangin1 votesTommyGnox is no longer with the company. He was the Riot's "Narrative Lead."
RiotNarsil is an Art Director and has only a passing interest in Narrative.
Is there a source for TommyGnox's departure? I can't find anything about it.
Diahane1 votesTommyGnox is no longer with the company. He was the Riot's "Narrative Lead."
RiotNarsil is an Art Director and has only a passing interest in Narrative.
Is there a source for TommyGnox's departure? I can't find anything about it.
Someone linked a tweet of his, this one I think: click.
