@Kindlejack, in regards to Dreadnova Twitch

the weeaboo··12 votes·8,698 views

Quotes from you, Kindlejack on this thread:

> In fact, just like players, we also thought Twitch and Jhin specifically would be perfect as crewmembers of the Dreadnova. So much so that we wanted to make them the two figures in the splash! However as we don't know what the future holds for Dreadnova yet they were left ambiguous. ... > If we did do characters like Alistar or Twitch in Dreadnova would it feel good to see them as aliens instead of animals? Like if Twitch was a vaguely rat-shaped alien

And despite a recent release,

> There's no development on more Dreadnova skins.


I was wondering if there was anything has been put forth since then? Let's be honest, Twitch is in desperate need of a 1350/1820 skin at this point. The rat has had green particles for seven years.

If not Dreadnova, would the skin creation be interested in expanding the Omega Squad line into, you know, an actual squad? Because Twitch would fit perfectly with Omega Squad, being a poison based character who is usually fun and goofy that also uses stealth Teemo

Thanks again, PhantomAxolotl

69 Comments

blackfootedfox5 votes

Seeing Darius get the second Dreadnova skin made me really sad. I never even considered Darius being thought of for the skin because he had so many other nice ones. I was the one pushing Kindlejack for the Dreadnova Twitch too actually.

the weeaboo5 votes

I got a sad as well when I saw Dreadnova Darius because he already has Bioforge which is already a pretty cool futuristic skin

As a Twitch main i would cry tears of joy should a 1350 Twitch skin come out

RiotKindlejack5 votes

Darius was changed to be called Dreadnova late in development - changes like this is why I can't really talk about development on the boards.

patmax173 votes

Are you allowed to tell us what he was called in developement?

RiotKindlejack3 votes

JB had this idea of expanding upon Steel Legion by showing what Garen's opposite would look like in that theme, that's where the idea began. Perhaps Steel Legion are the forces Gangplank is plundering?

AtaxiChaos1 votes

Isn't Bioforge supposed to be the counterpart to Steel Legion though? Or has that been changed?

RiotKindlejack2 votes

I brought that up actually but the team talked about it and decided... no? Or more to the point if we are excited and think this could be a sweet skin for Darius then why not go ahead. Jon Buran is a pretty new concept artist on the team (this is his first in-house design to go to PBE!) and he felt Steel Legion and Dreadnova could be part of some larger expansive space war thematic. His passion and love for that kind of thing really inspired the team! Sounds good to me.

I think Bioforge is cool too, showing how champions could look with Zaun chem-tech. Now that foundations have produced style guides for Zaun I think we could make some really cool new skins in the same vein.

AtaxiChaos1 votes

With that in mind, do you know if there are any plans to, for lack of a better term, "unify" the connected skin alternate universes and make them clearer?

Like, we know that PROJECT, Battlecast, and Mecha are all part of the same reality (Program also seems heavily implied, but not outright stated with Camille and Soraka's art - which would put iBlitzcrank in that universe too).

Steel Legion is definitely a counterpart to Dreadnova or Bioforge, but can't be both because of Darius... I could also see Super Galaxy as part of the space war universe.

RiotKindlejack4 votes

Internally myself and a few others are diving into this right now, trying to figure out how things could potentially fit together in order to tell deeper stories or consolidate all the various ideas spanning so many skin themes.

PROJECT, Battlecast and Mecha aren't related, the writers threw in lines relating to them because it's fun.

AtaxiChaos1 votes

So, that isn't Battlecast Vel'Koz in PROJECT: Katarina's background?

Also, does "PROJECT" actually stand for anything, or is it just stylistic caps lock?

RiotKindlejack5 votes

It was the work of a rogue artist...

Prototype Robo-Organic Justice Enforcing Cyber Troops?

Possibly Rioters On Juice Elucidating Creative Thoughts?

Probably Really Only Just Excited Cuz Technology...

Sexy Jack Rabbit1 votes

Why does the skins team just not think this stuff through? Like put in the effort and set up the groundwork. Otherwise you just end up creating rubbish that makes no sense.

This skin makes no sense as part of the Deadnova line.

Solideus1 votes

Got my own idea for expanding the Dreadnova setting; gonna try my hand at a "Space Cowboy" line (Zac, Vayne & Kled) as foils to Dreadnova at some point. :)

Papa Andrei2 votes

So it had another project name? Would be cool to know it :3

Though personally, I love the new theme, and actually fits for Darius! All the Warhammer puns I can make now

50000000000000003 votes

Battlemallet skin line (definitely not Warhammer)

Sahn Uzal9 votes

In all honesty, it really doesn't scream ''Dreadnova'' to me at all. It doesn't look like it's in the same universe as the GP skin at all, let alone a member of his crew (Which I would assume he is, since the Dreadnova is the name of the ship, right?)

the weeaboo2 votes

Intresting.

https://media.giphy.com/media/l2JJKs3I69qfaQleE/giphy.gif

jedi mind trick Twitch is next in line for a sick skin Kindlejack pitches it to development team

(also just me or does the stormtrooper's shoulder pad look exactly like the Rioter red triangle? Coincidence? I think not.)

RiotKindlejack4 votes

I love talking about skins and our process, but keep in mind I don't decide what skins get made. I try to pitch ideas I think are strong and which champions are overdue for a skin, but it's not up to me :)

Rude Name4 votes

Just do your best, we really do love everything all of you make. Including Sewn Chaos mumble mumble grrr angery noises

But for real, we love it when you talk about development, not because we could find out if our favourite champ is getting a skin, but because it gives us an insight into the game we love so much. We can see the work being done, and when you come onto the boards, asking questions like such, it gives us a chance to contribute to the said game. We can actually help out and give back to the game in a unique way which no other way can. At least for myself, I find reading up on possible developments just as fulfilling as seeing new skins.

We all understand that Red Words here aren't law. We just like reading about behind the scenes. Feel free to share whatever you want to, we love it all the same.

RiotKindlejack5 votes

Thanks for saying that, made me smile. Keep in mind I've been posting on the boards since Season 1 and only working at Riot from 2015 - so I know what it's like on both sides and that's why I keep coming back in my spare time.

On Sewn Chaos; personally (the views expressed herein do not reflect Riot Games) I still think it's a cool theme, but I can see that those particular executions weren't appropriate for the champion or the readibility/quality we strive for. It will be hard to convince the team to try it again, but I still think it'd be cool for Ori to have some friends.

Solideus3 votes

Oh, oh! I drew a Sewn Chaos design for Kalista! Google "Sewn Chaos Kalista" and it should be the first thing that comes up! :)

RiotKindlejack2 votes

Me too actually. When I was freelancing they asked me to explore thematics for their new champion 'Legionnaire' and I think I tried Sewn Chaos, Ghost Bride, Ghost Pirate, Frostborn, Nurse, Justicar, Demon Blade, Totemic, Marquise and a chinese style ghost costume reminiscent of Hsien-Ko. They were all passed on XD

Solideus1 votes

Oh cool, is Legionnaire an old scrapped champion concept?

RiotKindlejack2 votes

Legionnaire was Kalista's development name. Champions get named towards the end of development.

blackfootedfox3 votes

Totemic Kalista? Sounds cool! Honestly I actually like that Maokai skin, it'd be cool to see other champs try out the theme. Justicar Kalista sounds pretty bomb too! I'd like to see more Justicar skins honestly. It's my fave Syndra skin.

RiotKindlejack3 votes

Do you mind telling me specifically what you like about Justicar? I'm really curious to know and if it has some quality/identity that Arclight doesn't.

La Bello2 votes

Not him but I like the Justicar line more than the Arclight because it feels more bestial or natural beings who have always existed whereas Arclight seems like they are modified/empowered beings.

Syndra looks sorta totemic witch/shaman with native american-ish influence and Aatrox looks like a avian deity of some sort. Sorta like how Angels are depicted in the Devil May Cry series not as infallible glorious humans but rather a species of their own with their own goals.

the Arclight line has none of these qualities and just comes off as more "oh yeah white/yellow and glowy abilities" which is kinda boring. Where are the big Avian feathers ya know?

thats just my 2cents and why I particularly like the Justicar over the Arclight line

Overlord Forte4 votes

Justicar is more aligned toward a certain idealized understanding of the Champion than a supernatural elevation. Justicar Aatrox and Syndra are alternate forms that achieved this effect; Aatrox in Demacia's eyes as a hero, and Syndra if she never rebelled against Ionia. Justicar Kalista, in this sense, would be the idealized Kalista who perhaps never fell to the Black Mist.

Still, this argument is a queer one to make with the name 'Justicar', which is typically evocative of a kind of ruler or specific agent of the law. Were the skinline to be re-imagined, it might be an alternate version of Arclight--if Arclight are the warriors, and Justicars are the government, for example. But, further alterations to existing skins may be necessary at that point.

DwarvenGiant2 votes

Justicar Kalista, in this sense, would be the idealized Kalista who perhaps never fell to the Black Mist.

Or (as long as it doesn't visually lean too much towards the Arclight space, with the shiny light stuff and all) it could be Kalista as seen in the eyes of those who seek, well, well-deserved justice- A spirit who righteously avenges innocent deaths and brings justice upon those with a heart blackened by treachery. Again, though, she is only seen as a Justicar- Kalista does not think herself a bringer of Justice (even if such title has stuck to her); As she says, "There can be no justice. Only revenge."

######On the matter of "even if such title has stuck to her", think about it like Jayce- The Piltovan is considered a hero despite the fact that he couldn't care less about the title/being a hero (or, for the record, other people- At least most of the time); Justicar Kalista basically just wouldn't agree with the title that was given to her.

Chromatic Eagle2 votes

Justicar feel like heroes, while Arclight seems to be about religion.

blackfootedfox1 votes

This is 2 things: what I like about Justicar and what I dislike about Arclight. Grande Finale's comment touches on some points about these differences.

Justicar first of all, allows some personal differentiation between champs like Syndra's feathers and Aatrox's blue stuff (idk what to call it cause it isnt feathers but it looks cool). They both are a take on dark champions and turning their theme on its head. In a way, Justicar is simply making dark themed champs in a righteous glory theme (hello Kayle) but adding bestial elements not found in Arclight. The fact that the theme isn't completely cohesive is what makes it better than Arclight.

Another reason Justicar is cool (and this is mainly Syndra's skin here) is that it combines these light colors and themes with earthy nature tones, adding to this sense that the skins are very natural (yet righteous) interpretations of the champ. If 2 new Justicar skins came out, I would expect the gold and white on both skins while one skin may also be green and the other gray.

Arclight as a skin line is uninteresting to me because its take on righteous glory is this modification from another being into this holy state, rather than achieving that state themselves. Not working towards their glory is the big difference to me. Arclight's "holy" themes are also a turn off to me that just don't seem to exist in the Justicar skins.

I hope this give some insight! Grande Finale touched on what I wanted to say but I wanted to express my personal interpretation.

mr Boombastic7871 votes

Is it posible that you can show some concept art for some canceled skins like thouse you'v mentioned for example? I understand that you probebly are not allowed to do that, but if you are allowed to tell us about them maybe you can show us. I would love to see som early sketches and ideas for skins!

RiotKindlejack2 votes

That was long enough ago that I am confident we'd never go back and use those concepts, but most of the time there's still a very real possibility we'll come back to them (for example Forsaken Jayce was a launch skin idea for him). For that reason we don't talk about or share unreleased work - at least for now.

mr Boombastic7871 votes

I understand. I was prety sure you could not do that but asked just in case. Thank you for anwsering my question.

Who is Taliyah1 votes

Kindlejack, if you could choose a thematic for a new Taliyah skin, which would it be? Arcade, Pool Party, PROJECT? Maybe something else or even something new?

mr Boombastic7871 votes

That was you? Nice work! It is seriusly the best skin idea/concept I've ever seen! I wish I could draw like that :D

patmax173 votes

I'll just leave this here... :D

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/1XQbq

mr Boombastic7871 votes

That is so awesome! Have you done it yourself?

mr Boombastic7871 votes

I would love to have atleast the Amumu one. When I saw it on the pbe I got a huge nostalgia kick. He just reminded me of my days playing on my ps2 and ps3 Little Big Planet 1 and 2 with my little brother. I got very sad that you guys desided it wasn't a good skin. I absolutely loved it. Is there a chance that you would remake it again, just as a 520 skin maybe. I do not play Amumu. I do not own him. But I would buy that skin.

It was your desition. I just have a hard time melting it down. It would help if you adress why you made that desition.

RiotKindlejack2 votes

Well it wasn't my decision, it was the team together. Personally I know there were some concerns about the silhouette overlap, or the ears not really relating to Sewn Chaos or Amumu as a character. I could be wrong here but I think the appeal of the orianna one is a tim burtonesque sort of creepyness, like Hot Topic circa 2000. The movie '9' comes to mind too. That would have been another way to go with the designs instead of trying to straddle cute with hand-made and the bright colours.

There's definitely a chance we'd revisit the skins or try again, but it's harder to follow up on failure. For years 'Deep Sea' was considered a no-go because of how players felt about the original old skins. But eventually we try again and try to learn from previous mistakes :)

mr Boombastic7871 votes

First of all I want to say sorry. When I say you I mean you as riot or as the skinteam together, not you as a person.

I personaly don't like the Orianna creepy opproatch as much. But it depends on which champion gets the skin. For example the Kalista consept would benefit from being creepy like Oriannas. I would really like if you made sewn chaos yordles, and in the Amumu cute way, but it should be a separete skin line. The creepy sewn chaos skinline should remain creepy and similar to the Orianna skin. They are different enough to call them different things. You could call it Yarn Paradise Amumu ore something.

If you would make the cuter skins you should go for Yordles mostly. Because their big heads and small bodys would really get that Sackboy feel form Little big planet or thouse collection Voodoo dolls that look very cute.

I agree that thouse skins looked a Little bit out of place within sewn chaos.

RiotKindlejack3 votes

I just have to be clear when I talk about stuff like that. I don't want people to misunderstand my role on the team :)

What you're saying makes sense to me - champion choice is always important for skin themes.

mr Boombastic7871 votes

[slayer-pantheon-thumbs] Good. I hope you'll revisit the skinline sometime. Anyway, all your skins are awesome so keep it up!

nosafterburn1 votes

So a plushy skin line of yordles? Why not just real plushy yordles to buy. They'd prolly sell like hotcakes.

mr Boombastic7872 votes

Haha! Didn't think 'bout that

Kukan Seishin1 votes

I love talking about skins

Why are dreadnova Darius legs so SKINNY

:p

RiotKindlejack3 votes

He's a hipster at heart? I think we liked it because it made him feel like a classic black knight.

mr Boombastic7871 votes

Never skip leg day.... Never

Bultz1 votes

{quoted}

Darius was changed to be called Dreadnova late in development - changes like this is why I can't really talk about development on the boards.

Is Drednova Darius based off the project skin line? seems like they are.

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