As a long-time fanatic of the League of Legends universe, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia tinged with disappointment when I delve into the current state of my beloved game. Having grown up with these characters and their rich lore, it’s heartbreaking to see the world they inhabit slowly deteriorate while spin-off series like Arcane flourish.
Originally, Arcane was a spin-off series derived from the world of League of Legends, expanding upon the characters and settings found within the game. Now, Arcane has surpassed its predecessor in storytelling, suggesting that League of Legends could learn a thing or two by observing it closely.
In essence, Arcane presents quite a challenge when it comes to surpassing its predecessor’s impact. The production cost of Season 2 makes it the most expensive animated series ever, and its distinctive style and panache certainly offer much value. However, this style wouldn’t be as compelling if it didn’t have the foundation of the original universe to draw upon.
At one time in League of Legends, it was easily understandable how new characters fit into the broader Runeterra universe, the setting where the game takes place. However, Riot’s commitment to their self-crafted world seems to have waned over time. I fervently hope that Arcane serves as a testament to the mistake of abandoning League of Legends’ own universe.
The shambling corpse that is the League of Legends universe
As a non-League of Legends gamer, watching Arcane might lead you to believe there’s a wealth of captivating lore within the game. However, while that was once accurate, the current state of the game tells a different story.
In the world of League of Legends, there are numerous tales, such as those set in the ancient land of Shurima, which features champions like Nasus, Renekton, Xerath, Zilean, and Azir, each with their own role in a civilization that echoes ancient Egypt. Another is the conflict between the primal gods of the frozen Freljord and the looming interdimensional threat from the Void. While these stories are not always front and center, they do indeed form part of the League of Legends universe.
Yet, these seem more like old books gathering dust, preserved for ages in the corner, only occasionally opened to extract fragments of their history to create fresh characters, should Riot choose to recall them from obscurity.
Speaking of Aurora, it seems like no fresh champions have significantly influenced the world of League of Legends or brought something genuinely new to the table, with the possible exception of K’Sante who has been causing quite a stir in both solo queue and professional play for the last two years.
The game League of Legends has integrated Ambessa Medarda’s character from the show, effectively transferring her from the screen into the game.
Indeed, it’s quite remarkable to note that several of Arcane’s original characters outshine Riot in storytelling. Even secondary characters such as the enigmatic Vastayan informant Lest or those on Caitlyn’s task force are far more captivating than the latest champions created by League of Legends developers.
She’s not afraid to shoot her shot.
— Teamfight Tactics (@TFT) November 9, 2024
What makes this worse is that even TFT knows it, as they’re choosing Arcane’s characters over existing LoL champions to put in their autochess spinoff. It’s great for Arcane, but a really, really bad look for League of Legends itself.
A large number of League of Legends champions introduced within the last three years seem surprisingly detached or unrelated.
Hwei, Briar, Naafiri, Milio, K’Sante, Nilah, Bel’Veth, Vex, Zeri, Smolder – these are all champions that have been introduced in the last three years. Although I can discuss their individual backstories and roles within League of Legends, which is my profession, I find it challenging to place them within the broader context of Runeterra as they seem disconnected from the overall universe.
In many cases, reworks serve to revise or alter previous narratives instead of expanding upon them. For example, the story of Gangplank’s resurrection and losing an arm is one of the rare instances where a major visual update has sparked a narrative evolution rather than merely retconning or modifying old lore. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen often enough.
In its own right, Arcane has developed a distinct identity, often seeming detached from League of Legends in many aspects. This separation, upon revisiting the game, gives a unique perspective on the characters and showcases the quality of Arcane. However, it also underscores the disconnect between today’s League of Legends and the narratives that initially shaped it.
Take pride in your own creation
It’s clear that becoming champions requires significant time investment, as League of Legends introduces only a handful of new characters each year. The disappointing aspect is that many of these releases fail to make an impact or sustain popularity, which seems like a significant squandering of effort. These characters also don’t engage with one another or existing elements within the game’s universe.
As a gamer, I’ve noticed hints of it in a character like Bel’Veth – a harbinger of doom, a symbol of the Void’s impending conquest over Runeterra. She’s essentially an amalgamation of countless human minds, swallowed and fused into a monstrous entity, their individual consciousness transformed into raw data, absorbed by a once unknown destructive force. This remnant of humanity gives her a face, making her the embodiment of the looming danger lurking beneath the surface, a time bomb waiting to explode and consume everything.
Sounds cool, right?
Sure thing!
MUDA MUDA MUDA
— Vandiril (@Vandiril) May 25, 2022
Since that time, there’s been no indication of the Void’s menace, as neither new heroes nor characters have brought it up. However, while it may resurface at some point, the setback suffered by Bel’Veth has effectively paused one of the most intriguing aspects of the game.
It’s unfortunate when risks such as these don’t yield rewards, considering the ripple effect on upcoming contenders. The quality of League of Legends’ lore is so high that developers appear to be cautious about altering it significantly, opting for minimal changes instead.
Instead of boasting about their self-contained universe, Riot appears to prioritize crafting events centered on skins that transport characters beyond the boundaries of Runeterra. While these choices may seem secure, they can give the League of Legends setting a sense of inactivity and immobility. Regrettably, many captivating tales set within the world of Runeterra were initially shared by developers over a decade ago, with Arcane’s origins being among them.
Instead of nurturing Runeterra, they seem to be more focused on following fads from our world, neglecting the essence that initially drew players to League of Legends.
To set the record straight, I’m all for the skin lines like Anima Squad, Spirit Blossom, and Star Guardian. They’ve got their own charm and undeniably contribute to Riot’s success. But let me make one thing clear: League of Legends doesn’t need to lose its essence just to accommodate them. Arcane, on the other hand, has demonstrated how vast Runeterra’s potential truly is. It’s like finding hidden treasures within our beloved gaming universe.
On the other hand, it’s important to note that Riot might hold back from fully supporting their own universe due to factors beyond just the poor performance of a single character such as Bel’Veth. There could be deeper reasons at play.
It’s quite ironic, isn’t it? The occurrence known as “The Ruination” turned out to be the one that shattered the League of Legends universe into pieces. Instead of serving as a unifying force for characters to band together against a larger enemy, it became the moment when Riot Games seemingly surrendered on the world they had created their characters to protect.
Riot Games produced a wealth of content related to Viego, including books, films, visual novel events, numerous skins, a spinoff game, and four new champions, yet this event was seemingly overlooked or downplayed by the company. Over the past decade, Viego has been portrayed as a significant menace in League of Legends lore, but his threat seemed to vanish without a trace once he was introduced.
In essence, this occasion is generally seen as a flop by many. The unique portrayal of its characters, where they formed an unlikely alliance to combat evil forces, was soon overlooked and rewritten in the storyline, leaving little impact. Essentially, it didn’t make much of a difference. It’s quite possible that, even if you’re a dedicated League of Legends player, you might have forgotten all about this particular event.
If you’re curious about where Ruination might have missed the mark, League of Legends lore experts Necrit and TBSkyen created a 40-minute video discussing this very topic. However, it seems reminiscent of the last time Riot attempted something fresh within the universe. But, by no means does this suggest that new ideas shouldn’t be explored again in the future.
Riot Games has primarily concentrated on expanding the foundation laid by League of Legends, spawning spin-offs and breathing new life into characters from early LoL versions. This evolution was aimed at creating something extraordinary. However, in the process, the essence that initially sparked these engaging tales seems to have been lost, leading to Riot Forge, their platform for smaller spin-off games, being closed down completely.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice that the essence and depth of Arcane seem to be something that even League of Legends itself appears to have lost faith in. It’s disheartening because this very rich universe is what makes Arcane such an extraordinary show. The creators’ unwavering belief in the potential of the League of Legends lore serves as the foundation for all the series’ triumphs, and unfortunately, that same confidence doesn’t seem to resonate within the game itself.
Despite spin-off series showcasing the distinct features of Runeterra, the core world within League of Legends seems to be decaying, as they prioritize adhering to trends and generating skin sales over all else.
I hope we see that same spirit, that same confidence return to the game itself. I hope we finally get to see a war between threats from the Void and the gods of the Freljord come to a head. I hope we get to see ancient Shurima in all its glory. I hope we get to see the story of League of Legends reach its true potential, to sow the seeds of the next Arcane and inspire stories that will be told for decades.
I hope that Riot Games shares my perspective and actively shapes the future of games like League of Legends, instead of having the animated series Arcane serve as an inspiration for what it might have evolved into.
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2024-11-14 22:24