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Wukong's New Look (Feedback)

JetstreamXT·10/14/2014, 1:54:25 AM·18 votes·11,702 views

I was just looking at the new splash arts that Riot uploaded to the PBE today, and they all look stunning. (I think that the Ezreal one in particular is absolute candy to the eyes). However, one of the few things that bothered me about the new splashes, and Wukong's new splash in particular, is the color change of Wukong's fur.

Old: http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131016155558/leagueoflegends/images/thumb/4/48/Wukong_OriginalSkin.jpg/613x460x2-Wukong_OriginalSkin.png

New: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsZppjBWNoY/VDwpOpV0UvI/AAAAAAAAbKQ/qLtrV0zPHmY/s1600/MonkeyKing_Splash_0.jpg

It looks like Wukong overdid it with the hair dye. Anyway, I personally believe that Wukong would look better in his new splash art(and better match his in-game model: http://www.lolking.net/models/?champion=62&skin=0) If he went back to his old color, something like the image that I have attached below. I darkened the fur with Photoshop in about five minutes, and an updated splash with this change would obviously be better integrated with the overall design of the splash, but I think that it's good enough to show what I'm talking about. Some people may worry that the fur blends in too much with the rock Wukong is standing on in my recolored version, but I think that the fur has a similar problem with Wukong's scarf in the version of the splash that is currently on the PBE. Besides, I don't believe that the design of a champion should have to change to suit the background in his or her splash. After all, the only thing from Wukong's splash art we are going to see on Summoner's Rift is Wukong himself.

Thank you for reading, and please feel free to join in the discussion.

EDIT: Okay, so a lot of the feedback that I'm seeing about Wukong's splash on the PBE says that his face doesn't look "monkey" enough. I toyed around a bit more with the Liquify filter in Photoshop, and I think I've come up with something that looks a bit less serious and a bit more cheeky. The differences are hard to spot in the full splash, so I've also included a portrait version. I also darkened the skin tone slightly. Thanks again for all the feedback and support!

28 Comments

HigeR10/14/2014, 2:21:45 AM12 votes

I gotta give it to you, it does looks better when darkened O.o

Ashes Arise10/14/2014, 2:49:49 PM6 votes

Sorry to be the torch wielder, but I don't think that new splash looks anything like Wukong. It's wrong on too many ways to simply quick fix. The current splash is far better. I dislike this one even worse than the new pillbug (rolly polly) Kog'Maw. Well to be fair... Kog'Maw's looks exceptional aside from the fat pillbug body (especially the fine details). In Wukong's case, pretty much everything is wrong.

-His face is the worst part. It is not his face, and his expression is wrong.

-Art style. This doesn't even look like a League of Legends splash art. The art style is very far from any of the other splash arts.

-His body. Its much bulkier than Wukong. Wukong isn't a hulking gorilla. He's one of the only thin males in league. Not every male character has to be the big bulky commando. I have nothing against Jarvan, Darius, Graves, Garen, or others/etc at all. I like them. Wukong is different though, and I like him different.

-Perspective. This is more of a reiteration of my previous point, but the perspective is the main reason he looks so bulky and wrong. That and of course some wrong anatomy.

-Armor. His armor is wrong realistically and stylistically. Armor like that doesn't work like that. Its so wide and mis-positioned. It also ehem... looks not great.

The only thing I like about this splash is that the backdrop and color scheme are beautiful, and very fitting.

At the end of the day. The purposed changes in this thread are an improvement. They don't go nearly far enough for me though. I'm just annoyed that they are changing one of my favorite splash arts, (It doesn't look outdated at all.) and turning it into that.... thing...

Wesker35Albert10/14/2014, 2:32:15 AM5 votes

Maybe tweak his smile so it doesn't make him look like he has a rape face.

Grand Medic10/14/2014, 2:00:29 AM3 votes

I think the new splash art looks really good, but I think the recoloring looks just as good. Though I think the new way they are going with their designs are much better for the game as a whole.

Goilo10/14/2014, 2:35:41 AM3 votes

If I could say, the skin and fur looks o.k. What really urks me is how gummy/fake his armor looks. I know riot took a new stance with how the arts look now(adding shadows and a more realistic view) but the armor looks a little overcooked. My opinion is to tone it down.

Valaran Nara10/14/2014, 6:59:33 AM3 votes

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10258086_10154203870965556_3711008790413919209_n.jpg?oh=bf7b0e8aebfa111c4438fef274225a8e&oe=54C3576A

Pu6kin3x310/14/2014, 8:48:25 PM2 votes

this wukong splashy has the whole "I'm on the top" theme, I love it XD

GenoXx10/14/2014, 8:59:01 PM2 votes

The sun is behind him, so it makes his fur look dark

Arkhan10/14/2014, 9:29:30 PM2 votes

NO! He looks mischeivous and caniving just like SON WUKONG SHOULD BE!!!! His new splash is perfect! I believe that it shouldn't be changed. I love the new Splash because it represents what he is based off of a lot more, and his new VU is coming up soon I believe, so it will match up perfectly.

Greedalox10/14/2014, 10:24:25 PM2 votes

New splash art aside, I'm surprised so many people are fond of his old splash. I think it looks dated and terrible >.>

NightEfx10/14/2014, 10:32:59 PM2 votes

im not a big fan of this particular splash update. every other splash looks great or better than the last but this one didnt do wukong justice.

SolidPooh10/14/2014, 10:34:34 PM2 votes

Your rework looks nice but I sort-of like the new Wu, it makes him fit into the setting for me

cshakes10/14/2014, 12:44:25 PM2 votes

His expression is all wrong. Wukong is supposed to be a playful character, and here he is with a grimdark expression. Please make him cheekier.

Your edits do make the splash look less terrible, but that's all color changes will accomplish.

Poldy Scarecrow10/14/2014, 5:06:29 PM2 votes

I like the new colour but the darkened version looks good as well. I think the new splash takes some getting used to but isn't bad at all. He is thin in the new splash btw it's just his position, fur and armor that make him seem bulky. The background is really cool.

Eyes: Original wukong splash has no eyebrows. The addition of eyebrows makes him look somewhat sinister. The dark circles are perfect so he
doesn't need eyebrows imo.

His eyes also need to be brighter. Something about the pupil makes his eyes really intense, His eyes should look bright and cheeky.

Armor: The splash armor is bulky but its Not the artist's fault. Old wukong splash and in-game model his armor is also too big/clunky.

Expression: The only modification needed is that his smile should look less like a snarl.

Staff: Not as detailed or epic as his in-game / old splash. Looks different.. but that's just nitpicking.

Visual Update:

I know it's too early but just some thoughts. Wukong is not as tanky as other top laners. He's also a stealth character and a monkey that dashes on clouds. His armor should therefore be sleek. His current armor makes him feel heavy/clunky not nimble or agile.

I think he should have the baggy aladdin /sun wukong pants or lower body armor. I'm not fond of the skirt-like armor for various reasons.

He needs a new color scheme. His Red, Orange and Yellow armor and staff don't go well with his brown fur.

He's a monkey King. I can't put my finger on it but i think its a theme worth incorporating/exploring if only on a minor level.

Voice-over is perfect. He has the best lines of any champion imo and the voice work was superb. Can't imagine a wukong without his current voice

Jakethenight10/14/2014, 5:20:07 PM2 votes

I love the colorful background behind him. Not many of these new splashes have vibrant, 'happy' colors.

FluxBound10/14/2014, 6:12:11 AM2 votes

In my opinion, Wukong's new splash really bothers me as it looks too much like Sun Wukong from Journey to the West(2013) or The Monkey King(2014). Your toning made it a lot better, but maybe if they tilted the shoulder guard to show the chest, he would look more like an animal. I think there is a very big difference between monkey(men?) who look like monkeys and one's who look like hairy humans.

On what you said about the hair and rock color, why don't they just change the rock tone to the grey kind. the kind that is commonly found in the new summoners rift. When you look at the whole picture, he looks like he is standing at the northwest corner of the map (NAAAAAAAAA ZA VENYAAAAAAAA)

TeemoHunter133710/14/2014, 6:27:46 PM2 votes

why did they update it. the old one looks so cool

JustBoneBrook10/14/2014, 4:00:04 AM1 votes

Well if he get a particule update may be it will look more like the new one :D but i dont know witch i preffer... really the new look more tricky but the older look well more monkey

Blue Moon Wolf10/14/2014, 6:34:14 AM1 votes

Looks great. I kind of hope they throw in a texture update as well, maybe do something for him to be able to keep up with new champs (a new dance/joke/taunt would be nice too). idk, might be that i try to play wu way too tanky and not enough ad, but in essence, isn't having multiple ways to go about a champ the fun part about lol. if i play a champ with a secondary tank role, then shouldn't i be able to tank with him? but I digress, like the darker version better and hope they go with it for it does fit his color better (unless they update him with brighter colors).

Asteria10/15/2014, 2:02:40 AM1 votes

I likey

Clone O10/14/2014, 2:28:29 PM1 votes

Does not matter because I always use Volcanic Wukong. Hmmm... but I like old splash than the new one!

High Lord Blaze10/14/2014, 2:24:55 AM1 votes

I like the recoloring except for one thing, the difference between his skin and his fur is a bit much.

chriserit10/14/2014, 6:11:06 PM1 votes

I really like her new splash art but hell darkened is awesome

nice job

Valaran Nara10/14/2014, 4:06:26 AM1 votes

The only thing wrong with it is the fact that his face isn't as MONKEY as before. XD But in all honesty, I just see it as the light source shining on his fur, so his actual fur color isn't that drastically changed. But meh. I'm no artist. All I know is, I like Wu's new splash because it's not as dark as everyone elses.

Now with that statement settled...

--LION KING REFERENCES INCOMING!-