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How To Secure a Writing Position for Lore at Riot Games?

GeneralSkrubz·5/17/2016, 10:29:44 AM·2 votes·1,402 views

This is as simple as can be. I want to know if and how can I see about getting a job at Riot Games to be a creative writer for Lore. I am positive you get thousands of requests for Art Developers and Skin Developers, but your current lore seems lacking and unoriginal in context. Look at Azir. He has 2 sentences for his lore. And we have no Lore for Xerath, so we know nothing of his story. I could write you an unimaginable tale for Xerath and Azir. I just had to go on the Wiki for any lore to Nasus, and even then, it was scattered, and lightly glossed over. I could write you a glorious battle between Renekton sided with Xerath, Nasus sided with Azir. I could see it now, the Sun Disc illuminating in the background in a harsh bright light as Xerath sat back, watching two demigods, Renekton, and Nasus clash. They met blow for blow, only landing light scratches on each other until Xerath interfered, blasting Nasus with a pain racking bolt of magic, making him kneel in pain, giving Renekton the upper hand. Azir tries to quickly and desperately the stairs leading to the Sun Disc as his comrade is ruthlessly attacked, only to hear behind him the rattling of scales, and the hissing of a Snake. Afraid to see what is behind him, Azir rushes forward even faster, throwing his loyal Sand Soldiers behind him in an attempt to ward off Casseopia. His plan fails as he slips on toxic spewed from her mouth onto the tile ahead of him, and he slips, bouncing down the stairs to his inevitable fate... He closes his eyes second before nearing her, only to open them when he hears a burst of wind and speed brush past him, a girl. She quickly manipulates the rock on the stairs to throw Azir on his feet, and hurls rocks at Casseopia, making her screech in pain as she tumbled down the stairs. Azir waits, amazed, and breathless, as the girl turns around. "Emperor Azir, I presume?.." A quick nod from Azir was sufficient for her question. "I am Taliyah. Nice to meet you, sir," with an elegant bow she dipped, facing Azir. He was stunned. "How, did you force the rock to do your bidding?" Azir asked, astonished. Taliyah finishes her bow, with a short smile, "It is quite a long story, your Highness. But first, if I must, your comrade is up there, yes? We may need to assist h-" An ear-splitting screech erupted from the bottom of the steps, reminding them of the horror, Casseopia, at the bottom. "Ah, yes. This way Mrs. Taliyah, we have work to do." -fades to black- BOOM, it is 6:24 AM and I can already imagine it, like, UGH, it is there. I know this is a shitty Third Person POV, but I could write it in anyone's POV, hell even a bird, although, I imagine it would be much more interrupted and jumpy.

13 Comments

Deep Terror Nami5/17/2016, 10:44:16 AM5 votes

Visit the Riot Careers page, find the appropriate department/office you want and go from there.

WestTiger5/17/2016, 2:08:10 PM2 votes

I almost got a Copy Writer position earlier this year, at Riot Singapore over here. We talked about how I could still contribute to longer 'lore-based' pieces outside of the usual marketing mandate, especially since I have script writing experience and a literature background. That job didn't pan out since I lacked the marketing experience, but now I'm at Ubisoft as a Production Coordinator. When my contract's up, I might try again with Riot Singapore in the future.

Here's the thing, you are not a one man hero. You are not the creative director, and even then they work with a team to decide on many matters. We, the players, love to think that lore is so simple, and the "duh, I can do better" attitude is so easy to speak with.

Of course it's easier when you don't have to coordinate between hundreds of personnel and figure out future plans in advance for years. Riot has to be careful about the stories they put out nowadays, because when they try to take back what they've put out before, they get fan backlash. So now they're careful, and everything must be planned and coordinated to a ridiculous degree for the events and the scale Riot works with. Besides Riot's own internal designers, there's dozens of animation houses, song lyricists, bands and other performers, who must receive a cohesive mandate from Riot, which is decided by a board of creative leads, and the back and forth between first prototypes of product and the confirmation of product goes on for quite a while.

Furthermore, in the real world they don't want just skill. There's plenty of skilled people, probably better than me or you easily. Companies look for team players and people with real experience working in a team and WITH a team.

Don't mistake ego for confidence. Your work will speak for itself. In interviews, the recruiters are watching YOU, the person. The attitude from your post does not make you look like a good candidate at all.

Cardinal Sinveil5/17/2016, 12:12:33 PM1 votes

That is a pretty interesting question. I thought about making the same thread soon but you beat me to it.

Anyway, what are the most common requirements for being a game lore-writer ? I am not talking only about Riot Games but others as well. Would really appreciated if someone experienced in the field would answer. Thanks !

venomous frost5/17/2016, 12:41:11 PM1 votes

I believe a rioter on the lore team answered this in a Q&A already, can't really remember which one tho. But if I remember correctly they are looking for experienced people with already multiple publications, so pretty much it's not really a place to go to right out of school.

you can prolly find it in one the of the ask a rioter Q&A's

Ralanr5/17/2016, 2:56:50 PM1 votes

On the topic of Azir's two sentence lore, they already released his long lore recently.