Boards›Story, Art, & Sound

Dark Cosmic Jhin's Theme and the State of Login Screens

EdgeLady·6/6/2019, 9:00:08 PM·23 votes·13,029 views

Dark Cosmic Jhin's login screen is finally revealed, and, as I expected when Mordekaiser's theme was uploaded, it seems like this is the only login screen we'll be getting for next patch. Our Iron Revenant murder emperor seems to be getting none of it. The thing is, I had really hoped that they'd be cutting out Mordekaiser's login so that they could put in all their effort to make an incredible, mind-blowing login screen for Jhin's much-awaited legendary skin. I mean, Mordekaiser is Mordekaiser, the metal lord, but Jhin is also Jhin, the champion whose music and thematic is one of, if not the, most praised in all of League of Legends. So I had high hopes, but what we got...

This login screen just feels so dead. In the animation department, it seems like it has little more to it than the minimal animation on the much-criticized Yuumi theme (to clarify, not her theme itself, but the animation on her splash art), which didn't even make it to the client. Even the music, the incredible Jhin theme, it's astounding violins, feels watered down here. The instruments, the more generic use of dissonance, it just doesn't hit the mark that one would expect a Dark Star-corrupted Cosmic entity version of Jhin to sound like. Even the Project Hunters theme, which only used Jhin's theme sparsely as a shout-out, seemed like a much more faithful and passionate remix than this. Plus that login screen also had amazing animation. But this...I can't believe I'm saying this, but Jhin's login screen here is very underwhelming.

What's happening with your login screen department, Riot? First Yuumi and the Battle Academia logins get shafted during MSI, but with that, there's at least the excuse that it's during MSI. But then Mordekaiser's login is seemingly getting the complete shaft, and the login screen for Dark Cosmic Jhin, Jhin, mind you, feels underwhelming, especially in the animation department. And seemingly, the new champion Qiyana isn't getting a login screen either. Are login screens being completely cut? And if so, why?

If they are getting cut, that would be extremely sad, since Riot's music and animation department for login screens have been perhaps the most consistently-praised aspect of League in recent times. Although it's something small, the fact that it's been so consistent for so long, up until recently, really makes it feel like we're losing something special, a treasured part of League of Legends.

EDIT: Looks like it's officially confirmed. No login screen for Qiyana. https://youtu.be/2CpCMaU-rpM

20 Comments

Camille Ferrøs6/6/2019, 9:05:04 PM18 votes

I'm actually getting worried, this department of Riot was the only 11/10 and now it's not looking good. I'm scared.

4 Step Cadence6/6/2019, 9:10:31 PM15 votes

Yeah like... What the fuck?

I am a bit disappointed, not so much for Jhin, but for Morde mains. I could honestly care less if Jhin's legendary got a login screen. Morde mains waited so long, and they get a theme? That's it?

Not to mention Sylas, who got thrown into the season's login screen. You know how epic they could have made a login screen for him? Just imagine. It starts off with us staring at the prison wall. Suddenly, a bright explosion, and then Sylas, standing there, having just stolen Lux's ultimate and blasted his way out. There's smoke, there's chaos, there's power. Instead, we got a lifeless Sylas standing there with his back to us, chain swinging from side to side, after stealing Blitz's ultimate. The fuck is that weak shit?

And yet, we got like, what, 5 separate login screens for Esports alone within like 2 patches? And now we're back to the season's login screen? Why not put Yuumi's there? She's still new, you could totally get away with that.

Just... What's going on, Riot?

Lewanor6/6/2019, 9:08:55 PM10 votes

Does making an animated login screen cost that much really? Why is art department getting hit for the loss of profit? They used MSI theme for like 3-4 different things, no one gets a proper login screen and everytime we find an excuse like "it was because of the msi", "things were too close so we had couldn't give" something else confirms our fears. They'll continue doing this if we don't do something about it. The art team is our last stand and i ain't leaving this shit

d00mface6/6/2019, 10:01:38 PM4 votes

These animated login screens are something that feel iconic to League of Legends so It would be a damn shame if they got phased out. Please don't stop doing animated login screens, Riot.

[sg-soraka]

Kelg6/6/2019, 9:02:49 PM3 votes

Nothing new, Riot has ignored Morde since his release, and now is skimping out really hard on his VU. It's only fitting.

[zombie-nunu-bummed]

JOOTAROOO6/6/2019, 9:45:53 PM2 votes

The video lasts 4:14 and at the end of the video it's 4:14/4:14. there are 4 fours. This is pure genius.

Original Sin6/7/2019, 6:23:04 AM2 votes

They're lazy as fuck these days. I haven't given a cent to them for 6 months and I sure as hell aint giving them anymore.

AbiwonKenabi6/7/2019, 4:41:59 AM2 votes

The Yuumi login screen being skipped is totally understandable. Both MSI AND Battle Academia were going on, it makes sense somebody had to get the shaft in that situation. The animated screen we got doesn't feel like it was intended to be treated as the standard animated login; clearly at some point they decided they wouldn't be showing this on the actual login screen, so there's not a lot of animation there. No point.

But now Mordekaiser I can't really defend. He's got a great theme and could have a really awesome, intimidating login. I think the Dark Star Jhin song is good, but can agree the animation is a little weak. The background barely moves, feels like there should be more energy swirling around him and there just isn't. Sometimes with certain splash arts, its like, what can you really do? But with this one, there's clearly a lot of subtle movement that can bring the image to life, and it just wasn't taken full advantage of.

A shame. Hopefully its just a slump or an oversight and not a conscious decision. We'll see.

Psyrix6/6/2019, 11:14:02 PM2 votes

honestly... even just having the planets spinning and slightly increasing the sound of the background base/violin (or cello) and also giving a slightly raspier/edgier vibe to the synth (word is escaping me rn) would feel like it's more suited to the skin... It doesn't feel like jhin is Doing anything to the planets... he just happens to be there... Maybe the starting animation might show something (unless there actually won't be one).

I'm really hoping Riot sees this post and corrects it... The music and art team have been a constant at surpassing expectations by leaps and bounds... this kinda falls behind.... especially for a legendary skin.

LukaShadowReaper6/7/2019, 6:41:56 PM1 votes

at 1:24 i cant not hear the cloaker sound from pay day 2 omg

MtFerventCatgirl6/6/2019, 10:44:27 PM1 votes

why is he wearing clothes if he's made out of energy? like why such intricate armor aesthetic for a cosmic mass of energy? i'm not saying he should be like Dr. Manhattan, though he should radiate some planet destructive aura in game...but you gave him a burka with a sniper.

PaladinNO6/7/2019, 4:23:44 AM1 votes

Honestly, I lost care about login screen the moment they were changed so custom ones were no longer possible. Now I just keep them muted and without animation.

ModRowanstar6/7/2019, 4:07:38 PM1 votes

Morde vu looks amazing. He deserves the login screen he is MORDE. Jhins looks fine and idc about Q.