League of Legends: The Future of Champions and Technology

Riot Games’ Vision for Smarter Bots and New Abilities

League of Legends, a game with over 10 years of history, continues to evolve with technological advancements. Riot Games has made significant improvements to the game’s visuals and gameplay, but there are still untapped possibilities that can only be realized with better AI technology.

Currently, the bots in League of Legends are not very intelligent. They follow predetermined patterns and simply attack enemy units. However, if Riot were to develop smarter bots, it would open up exciting opportunities for the champions’ team to create new abilities and gameplay mechanics.

Despite the challenges of fulfilling the complex desires of the champions’ team with the current tools, Riot does not feel limited by technology. They are willing to create new tech when necessary, considering factors such as time scope and value. Examples like Sylas and Viego demonstrate how developing new tools can add long-term value. Sylas’ ultimate ability inspired Viego’s passive, which then led to the creation of the Ultimate Spellbook game mode.

The champions’ team always starts by pushing the boundaries of creativity. They collaborate with engineers, artists, and tech specialists who may initially deem certain ideas impossible but eventually find ways to make them work.

One such example is Nilah, a champion concept that initially posed challenges due to the fluidity of her whip weapon. League’s outdated technology made it difficult to achieve the desired gameplay experience. However, Riot continues to improve its technology, allowing them to revisit old concepts and fully support the champions’ team’s vision.

Riot assures fans that there are countless unexplored ideas for future champions. They believe they could continue creating champions for the next several decades, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology.

The champions’ team is currently working on a champion set to be released next year. Interestingly, this champion was initially in development during the creation of Sylas but was put on hold. Now, the team has returned to bring her to life.

Another recent release, Naafiri, showcases Riot’s commitment to technological advancements. The AI tools developed for Naafiri and her puppies allowed for more realistic and dynamic movement. This improvement ensures that gameplay interactions with her pack feel authentic and challenging.

With each new champion introduced in League of Legends, Riot invests in new technologies that pave the way for future innovations. This opens up a vast universe of possibilities for new characters and abilities that fans can only dream of.