@Riot, Let's Drop The Bullshit Reasons For Lore Stagnancy. Let's Actually Talk About Stuff!

Impetual·Mar 30, 2015·43 votes·3,173 views

Rioters, I know you guys must be bound to some kind of code that disables you from talking to us about certain things.

That's the only reason I can I can come up with to explain your silence over the last few months about giving us any details about Riot Narrative lore direction.

@Riot Narrative, Your absence in many threads has made it pretty clear that the narrative team has very little desire creating lore for the community that it serves.

Some of the ridiculous reasons that I've heard that Riot can no longer take fan input into account concerning champions and lore is troubling. We need someone to teach us about these issues.

We need a narrative team member who can talk to us about what their limitations are, so that we can better refine our posts to educate them on our opinion.

Riot Please, Listen to your player-base again... especially when it comes to lore!

TALK TO US!!!

45 Comments

KING OF MASKSMar 30, 201522 votes

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that you're not going to get a meaningful response.

LeeDarkMar 31, 20153 votes

Thought you said you were going out on a limb?

kunkudunkMar 30, 20158 votes

They actually have responded to some lore threads in the past month. Just cause you didn't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. If you did see it and don't like what they said then I'm not sure what to tell you. I understand many people loved the lore for this game and want it back, but if you are simply craving some narrative and lore then read a book or some other lore while you wait. Sure they are being slow with the lore, but it will come.

Jeddy017Mar 30, 20153 votes

They actually have responded to some lore threads in the past month.

For example,my recent thread asking a simple yes or no question. http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/story-art/4TK7oKqj-any-riotera-simple-yes-or-no-question-about-the-state-of-the-lore

UltîmaMar 30, 20156 votes

How slow is slow?

The Freljord event - for example - came out in March 2013, we are now 2 years after and there is still no meaningful conclusion in sight for that conflict as far as narrative is concerned. There is little reason to believe that will change, as narrative has remained obstinately tight-lipped around any and all issues surrounding anything that requires creative writing at Riot.

Yes, Bioluminescence (finally) generated some Red activity on the board, and more recently Jaredan also interjected. While seeing some form of communication is nice it simply falls short when none of it is substantiated by any progress on any front involving the lore.

Tesla EffectMar 31, 20154 votes

{quoted}

How slow is slow?

The Freljord event - for example - came out in March 2013, we are now 2 years after and there is still no meaningful conclusion in sight for that conflict as far as narrative is concerned. There is little reason to believe that will change, as narrative has remained obstinately tight-lipped around any and all issues surrounding anything that requires creative writing at Riot.

Yes, Bioluminescence (finally) generated some Red activity on the board, and more recently Jaredan also interjected. While seeing some form of communication is nice it simply falls short when none of it is substantiated by any progress on any front involving the lore.

2014 Bring URF back Riot, bring it back, omg all other modes suck, bring it back! 2015 Riot is so annoyed by this that they created the opposite thing to URF.

2014 OMG Narrative you all suck I want my old lore, bring it fast now! Also I want more communication from you guys while I continue insulting you all and all of the work that you posted. 2015 ......

Did you get the pattern. "The cycle of life and death continues. We will live, they will die." - Nasus

"Know that if the tables were turned, I would show you no mercy!"- Veigar

kunkudunkApr 1, 20152 votes

The nurf mode was a joke as you probably know by now. Maybe don't be so cynical, they are people too.

kunkudunkApr 1, 20153 votes

I always assumed they intended to leave the freliord event open for quite some time anyway since they can't exactly kill off any of the queens as that would kinda remove them from existance.

Tesla EffectApr 1, 20152 votes

{quoted}

I always assumed they intended to leave the freliord event open for quite some time anyway since they can't exactly kill off any of the queens as that would kinda remove them from existance.

And its a Civil War, it should last long.

XulsigaeApr 3, 20152 votes

Why? Not every civil war is drawn out. So far the conflict in Freljord has lasted longer than many ones on Earth have.

powerbatsApr 6, 20152 votes

{quoted}

Why? Not every civil war is drawn out. So far the conflict in Freljord has lasted longer than many ones on Earth have.

The American Civil War last for several years longer than Freijord has, theres other examples throughout history of even longer civil wars.

XulsigaeApr 6, 20151 votes

Indeed. So the fact that civil wars last various lengths doesn't mean that the Freljord one has to be unconcluded. Story arcs finish and new ones begin.

ImpetualMar 31, 20152 votes

Have you seen the content of those responses? They are mostly bullshit responses that seem lore related, so that Rioters can say they responded, but contain little to no actual information.

If I see a bullshit response, I'm going to call it one.

Have you realized that the majority of responses to narrative threads lately have not been made by members of the narrative team?

It seems like Riot is trying to give us Red Responses from people who don't know what they're talking about in order to satiate us. It's kind of underhanded.

powerbatsMar 31, 20153 votes

{quoted}

Have you seen the content of those responses? They are mostly bullshit responses that seem lore related, so that Rioters can say they responded, but contain little to no actual information.

Have you realized that the majority of responses to narrative threads lately have not been made by members of the narrative team?

It seems like Riot is trying to give us Red Responses from people who don't know what they're talking about in order to satiate us. It's kind of underhanded.

What would they gain by answering more in depth since every time they do people like you flame them. So given the chance they'd much rather deal with constructive threads instead of responding to flamers. Why don't you take a look at the threads they've responded to in depth and you'll notice a pattern. Those threads where they get flamed constantly get no attention, those that the people are** POLITE** get responses.

Just as in the real world you either won't get a response or you'll get one you don't like whereas if you're polite you'll get a lot in return. You're thread title and the content of your op speak volumes about why you're not getting any red responses.

LeeDarkMar 31, 20152 votes

They get flamed because they never respond meaningfully. Balance gets flamed all the fucking time, but they aren't crying and running to hide because of it, are they?

Narrative made promises, and have, again, failed to keep them. No surprise there, and they deserve to get flamed for that.

kunkudunkApr 1, 20153 votes

I have seen the content of the responses and I felt that they answered an honestly as they could given that you know those responding don't run the company and can only say so much. And yeah, if I were on the narrative team I wouldn't respond to you people either since you seem to be constantly crying out for them to be fired.

ImpetualApr 6, 20154 votes

Lol, I don't think I ever asked for any Rioter to ever be fired.

I just want them to talk to us like they used to, and I'm getting kinda frustrated that instead of waiting hours/days like it used to, it's taking months/years.

It really feels like Riot is gonna stop supporting its lore in a meaningful way, and tell us all lore through shortened champion bio's and the odd flashy video.

Considering how cool Runeterra used to be pre-retcon, I am sincerely frightened that they are going to destroy one of the coolest worlds I have ever read about.

kunkudunkApr 7, 20151 votes

Maybe you haven't asked for them to be fired, but plenty of people have. It isn't an inviting environment. Honestly though, they could have an entirely knew team than they used to which might be why they don't post as much as they used to. The new team might not be as comfortable with it or something.

ImpetualApr 7, 20151 votes

Which is why constructive criticism is needed. If they aren't doing the job as well as the old crew, the playerbase should tell them what they're doing wrong so that they can improve.

It's called Player feedback.

It is necessary for League of Legends to become a better game.

Constructively critical posts are helpful to Riot, not hurtful.

People that blindly defend the stupid decisions that Riot makes hurt this game more than anything. It leads to Riot believing that bad decisions are good ones.

If I see Riot creating/posting bullshit, I will call it bullshit, and I consider that my way of telling Riot what I think from a player perspective.

Riot wants that kind of information. Telling them how you really feel gives them something to work on, while being forcefully positive when they are doing a bad job is just misleading them into creating bad lore.

kunkudunkApr 7, 20151 votes

Plenty of people give anything but constructive feedback. Honestly, would you respond to most of the comments you see? Plus every time a rioter comments they get a mix of comments directed towards them, some of which are constructive while other are borderline attacking them. It would be nice if they commented more but every time they do people swarm the comment like their life depended on it.

ImpetualApr 7, 20151 votes

Not to disrespect the narrative team, but if your reasoning is correct, then they need to grow some balls and start doing their job.

kunkudunkApr 7, 20151 votes

Their job is to write not to check the boards. Most rioters check the boards as is from what I understand, they just don't comment.

AriafluxMar 30, 20157 votes

Starts off by calling their reasons bullshit.

This is really not the way to go.

Also, they have talked about it, a lot. Many posts I read I felt the devs really poured their heart out, just look around a little. You really can't be expecting them to make a daily appearance.

Tesla EffectMar 30, 20153 votes

{quoted}

Starts off by calling their reasons bullshit.

This is really not the way to go.

Also, they have talked about it, a lot. Many posts I read I felt the devs really poured their heart out, just look around a little. You really can't be expecting them to make a daily appearance.

If I were them, I would stay as much as necessary from these threads. Bunch of negative and acidic people here which wouldnt event understand if Riot explained things to them, WHICH THEY DID!

We cant even have a week without someone complaining about the new lore.

junglerboy16Mar 30, 20154 votes

Well, really people are mostly complaining about the lack thereof. But I agree, when people launch into tirades about it, it is unsurprising that the narrative team stays away.

LeeDarkMar 31, 20155 votes

Right, except the two non-Narrative Rioters who have shown up were well-received and Bioluminescence was even thanked repeatedly for engaging with the community.

The only reason Narrative gets such a poor reception is, the FEW RARE times they show up, they outright REFUSE to have an actual MEANINGFUL conversation about where the lore is going. They give us, instead, one excuse after another as to why they move so slowly, and they make one promise after another only to break them within a month. Expecting us to give them the benefit of the doubt, something we have already done several times in the past few years, is asking a bit much. They get flamed for good reason, and even still, I'd be willing to bet that if they had just ONE dialogue about ACTUAL LORE with us, people would be bending over fucking backwards to thank them for the bread crumbs we get from that.

Tesla EffectMar 31, 20156 votes

{quoted}

Right, except the two non-Narrative Rioters who have shown up were well-received and Bioluminescence was even thanked repeatedly for engaging with the community.

The only reason Narrative gets such a poor reception is, the FEW RARE times they show up, they outright REFUSE to have an actual MEANINGFUL conversation about where the lore is going. They give us, instead, one excuse after another as to why they move so slowly, and they make one promise after another only to break them within a month. Expecting us to give them the benefit of the doubt, something we have already done several times in the past few years, is asking a bit much. They get flamed for good reason, and even still, I'd be willing to bet that if they had just ONE dialogue about ACTUAL LORE with us, people would be bending over fucking backwards to thank them for the bread crumbs we get from that.

As I recall Bioluminescence never said anything about the lore (except a small explanation that she gave me of the Shuriman map, but that was purely from how its used and she explained some visual indications on it, she didnt have the info on what places it actually showed besides the obvious ones we could dig out from our knowledge, it was also what she made so she explained as much as she knew or what she was allowed to say) , she was there to assure us at the how the things are doing with the narrative and to feel for us. Which was nice.

The real problem is not the Narrative teams fault (im sure lots of them would love to talk to descent people on these threads), its the current companies statute of secrecy in regards to spoiling future content. The real problem are the ones at the top and those who decide what their employees should say and what not to the customers/fans. They also have to stay professional in the way they communicate with you guys, and if they have nothing allowed to say, they wont. They are doing as best as they can to please something with us fans with the limitations place on them by the ones in charge.

LeeDarkMar 31, 20156 votes

We tried being nice. We gave them several MONTHS from their promises back in October to interact with the community more before we started getting upset again. Nobody expects a daily appearance, but is ONE MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE ABOUT WHAT THE FUCK IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THE LORE really too much to ask?

On the front page of Story & Art now, with threads going back a full week, there are THREE posts from Rioters, and none of them are listed as members of Narrative. (I thought Carnival Knights was, but his title is Regional Ambassador.) Okay, so let's go back a bit further. Oh, look meaningful Rioter post about Xerath lore! Wait... it's not from a member of Narrative, so he's really just linking stuff that we could already find. In fact, every regular poster in Story & Art could have pointed to both the story and the thread easily. Not to knock Cidem1324, mind you. He also posted more recently, and I'm really glad that some Rioter comes here and tries to be helpful. Most of us are, as Bioluminescence found out when he stopped by and posted more in one thread than the entire Narrative team had posted on the entire subforum in more than two months. He was well received and thanked for his effort. Ultimately, however, both of them might as well just be us; that is to say, what they have to say on lore isn't necessarily authoritative. They've been quick to make that clear themselves. They might have a little more insight by virtue of casually knowing a member or two of the Narrative team, but that's it. They are really just lore fans themselves.

Narrative would discover, if they came in and had a MEANINGFUL discussion about the lore, that there won't be a riot in the streets over it. (Pun intended.) Some people might not like the direction they are taking, but at least they'd FINALLY be keeping their promises to us. The more promises they break, the less credit they get.

NoraverMar 30, 20154 votes

The problem I have with the lore team is that we only receive any bit of it when a new champion is released. Even then, it's a tiny, tiny amount.

This lore team.. What do you think they honestly do for two-three months between champion releases? How hard is it to write that three-line lore paragraph for that new champion?

Personally, I'd like to see the Journal of Justice come back, but we all know that will never happen.

I'm still incredibly passionate about the lore, but in all honestly, they've forced me to just stop caring about it. I expect nothing from the lore team for the rest of the time I play this game, truly. That's the only way to look at it now. If they want to call whatever they release "lore", then they can, but in my head, the lore was finished when everyone voted for Lissandra and Riot didn't know how to deal with that.

I guess we'll just have to settle with "Welp, Lissandra won the Freljord war and froze the entire planet."

Tesla EffectMar 30, 20153 votes

Honestly, some in this fandom are impatient like little kids.

WhitakkerMar 30, 20154 votes

You gotta admire OP's commitment, though. I'd wager about 40-50% of the threads in this subforum are his.

powerbatsApr 1, 20152 votes

^This and I can't understand why all you people qqing don't get it. Since Riot is way more open than any other company out there yet if they don't tell you years in advance what's going on you act like spoiled children not getting to know what you're getting for Christmas. Yes I know that's an exaggeration but the point is the same. If you want to act like this than you're going to get treated like this. If the head of their division says this is the release schedule and that's what they're going to stick too.

You should be thankful that the reds even come to these forums and interact with you as much as they do since it means they're either taking time away from said projects or doing it in their own free time ie lunch/breaks/at home when they should be relaxing. How would you feel if where you worked people contacted you at home constantly or someone bashed you on the internet 24/7 because you wouldn't update them 24/7 or respond to their rants?

Why would they tell you what's coming up before it's either ready or before an event that they spent time and effort on making the best they could so as to surprise the community and thereby ruin it? If they did that the event would come out and everyone would be like yawn we already know it so what else have you got in store for me? This would be like you getting presents for birthday/Christmas and knowing long beforehand what you were getting.

Sneak DogApr 1, 20152 votes

You let your kids write letters to santa or Sinterklaas or whatever your personal preference is. You also don't take their toys away solely to make room for new toys that surely they'll like. And if they don't like them, others will, which is just as good, right? Trundle

powerbatsMar 31, 20151 votes

Oh damn Tesla that was funny.

Tesla EffectMar 31, 20153 votes

{quoted}

Oh damn Tesla that was funny.

Then why the downvotes? Seem some people are butthurt about the truth of the matter.

powerbatsMar 31, 20152 votes

[{quoted}](name=Tesla Effect,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=flzNtkJ7,comment-id=00050000,timestamp=2015-03-31T03:35:29.623+0000)

Then why the downvotes? Seem some people are butthurt about the truth of the matter.

Because some ppl are butthurt so to speak and some just can't see humor. Also some ppl just vent on the forums and will complain about anything even if they don't have the wherewithal to understand they don't know everything.

Occams RaiserMar 31, 20151 votes

It is actually because they are running a business and talking to you doesn't make them any money. I figure there is no one at Riot that gets paid to respond to the supposed 27 million players in a month. Always remember that this is a video game from a company. Have you ever tried to talk to EA about a problem with one of their games? "F U! We got your money." There are only 20 champs worth playing in ranked and you speak of lore?

Any response you get from Riot is probably someone on lunch break who got curious.

LoL Ergo UrgotMar 31, 20151 votes

Like others said, they got your money (assuming you gave them any). Matter is closed as far as they are concerned.

powerbatsMar 31, 20151 votes

It's not that they've got your money it's that they can't answer every single thread that pops up every single day. Then when people don't see a response in their pet thread they qq bout it despite the reasons as stated above and that they've responded in lots of other threads.

powerbatsApr 6, 20151 votes

True, but perhaps it's going to tie into something else down the road. You could say next year when more lore is out it will come to a conclusion or lead into something else.

XulsigaeApr 6, 20151 votes

I'll believe it when I see it.

powerbatsApr 6, 20152 votes