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@Rioters Champion concepts request

Podge·7/14/2015, 1:33:34 AM·40 votes·17,674 views

Hey Rioters, I am a young character designer. I'm constantly looking for ways to understand and breakdown the conceptual process for champions that I think work very well and are designed very well. There are only a few different "early concepts" of champions out there. And I think that a lot of people (or at least, not just me) would like to see some early designs of our favorite champions.

The ones that I would personally really want to see are:

  • Yasuo Yasuo, the Unforgiven: Yasuo is one of those champions that got me instantly exited for him when I saw his reveal. When I first saw him, I instantly thought how beautifully designed he was. The way his color works with his overall aesthetic, as well as how it interacts with his environment. I mean, I've taken to his design so much that I even wrote a 6 page design analysis on him. Involving design theories (trying to get inside the heads of the designers) and breakdowns of everything on him. Seeing his early conceptual stages would really be helpful to me, because of how much he has influenced my own art and designs.

  • Kalista Kalista, the Spear of Vengeance: I think Kalista was really brilliantly designed. She is a champion that (to me) is groundbreaking in so many ways. She is a female champion that looks practical in her clothing (exception Leona ), she also is a whole new female body type that we haven't seen in LoL before. On top of all of that, it seems natural. it doesn't really seem like it was a character you guys felt you HAD to do, but more one you really WANTED to do. So, I think that seeing her concepts from early drafts to later drafts, would be really cool of you guys. [I KNOW THERE IS SOME STUFF OUT THERE FOR KALISTA, it would just be nice to see more] Kalista final concept here: http://pre02.deviantart.net/5dfc/th/pre/i/2014/308/e/6/kalista__the_spear_of_vengeance_by_the_bravo_ray-d85a2r1.jpg

  • Bard Bard, the Wandering Caretaker: For real guys, Bravo. Bard looks so nice. In my opinion, Bard is a really solid design. He seems so cohesive to me. The heavy Studio Ghibli inspiration is something that I noticed right away, and I would like to see if that was always there, and what kinds of stages he went through to become the beautiful, bearded, Bard we see today. [AGAIN, I KNOW THERE IS STUFF OUT THERE FOR BARD, again I just think it would be cool to see even more] Bard final concept here: http://41.media.tumblr.com/8f675c85919d717b0aaf1cee9c5c0888/tumblr_nnxx49YjxJ1s0k4v0o1_1280.jpg

  • Lucian Lucian, the Purifier: To me, Lucian is a very interesting champion. Meaning, I feel his concept process was very complicated. Almost like it took him a while to come to his full identity. I'm just really curious to see what kinds of Lucians there were before we got the slick, vengeful, ghostbuster we see today. [SAME GOES FOR LUCIAN AS IT DOES KALISTA AND BARD, I just want to see some early stuff man] Lucian final concept here: http://orig14.deviantart.net/f14b/f/2013/239/5/2/lucian___final_color_concept_by_eoinart-d6jybqu.jpg

Okay, those are my main requests. I don't mean to sound like "Oh man riot sucks they don't release concept art." And this might be A LOT to ask. But, I'm hoping you guys will be able to share the early concepts with me and the rest of the league community.

I look forward to hearing from you guys!

Thanks!

  • Obokuri (or, Kino)

29 Comments

RiotRiot ShadowStorm7/14/2015, 6:29:49 PM8 votes

Did you happen to catch the Ekko Concept Timeline we shared during his Q+A? I think it gives a pretty good look at the process to take him from "Time Assassin" to "Ekko, the Boy Who Shattered Time".

Also, the Tahm Kench Insights article has some of his concept art, as well as an art section describing the ideation process he went through.

Not the champs you called out, unfortunately (those were before my time), but hopefully some cool stuff there that helps!

RogueWill7/14/2015, 1:37:43 AM4 votes

I would like to see the concept art as well, I'm interested on the notes thou... what were theythinking when they came up with these designs

terkmc7/14/2015, 4:27:01 AM3 votes

Rito, plz, learning opportunity for everyone and improve your standing with the player base at no cost

XeroKimo7/14/2015, 5:28:08 AM2 votes

I remember Lucian's code name... The gun templar, man that name gave me the chills...... now it's the purifier....

The Loveless7/14/2015, 2:56:54 PM1 votes

Man, I wish they kept those dual colored pistols for Lucian. I liked the idea

Tesla Effect7/14/2015, 3:38:49 PM1 votes

http://leagueoflegends.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Tesla_Effect/Riot_Games:_Artists_List My page lists all the concept art and every artist that did them.

3zD2Gw5T4M7/14/2015, 4:21:03 PM1 votes

TBH Brd reminded me a lot of Princess Mononoke. The overall design, experience and sound i guess.

Gorgannan7/14/2015, 4:29:33 PM1 votes

I agree minus Lucian. I feel like he's overdone. A very sterotypical character.

BlackInkX27/14/2015, 7:03:49 PM1 votes

More early consepts and notes about the changes in the design would be awesome

RottedApples7/15/2015, 5:49:25 AM1 votes

lucina the gun templar.

Lowvyr7/14/2015, 4:37:28 AM1 votes

I love seeing how you guys come up with the ideas for champions, and I would love to see all this.

Mimaropa7/14/2015, 5:27:51 AM1 votes

I don't know why people keep complaining about lore. Its pretty hard to do to make it unique and intersting (without making it a knock off of some famous identity). These concept arts show their personality and lifestyles. I would really want to see more of concept arts than lore to me. Jinx character is pretty good not like any regular crazy criminals, she gives me these unique vibe that stands out. Im proud of riot for making an effort for making new interesting champions since they began to be popular. Recent new champions do have tiny lores but they show a unique personality that defines them for what they are and not just regular stereotype. Pardon my English, not my first language

Blue Moon Wolf7/14/2015, 7:23:21 AM1 votes

I remember seeing that concept art for Lucian, It was on this site for custom LoL skins and fan art. The odd thing is it was before even Thresh was released when I saw it.