Interview: How Riot Forge crafts stories from beyond the rift

Discover how Riot Forge collaborates with indie studios to expand League of Legends universe through standalone narrative games

The Genesis of Riot Forge

We sat down with Riot Forge’s creative director Rowan Parker to explore the intricate process behind developing new gaming experiences featuring League of Legends’ most beloved characters.

Our exclusive interview with Riot Forge creative director Rowan Parker reveals the comprehensive approach to crafting fresh narratives for League’s iconic roster while developing completely original gaming experiences.

Riot Games stands as a titan in the gaming industry, with powerhouse titles including League of Legends and Valorant commanding significant influence across multiple multiplayer genres.

The journey began with League’s 2009 debut, gradually expanding Riot’s portfolio to encompass over 160 distinct champions. These characters have cultivated dedicated fanbases deeply invested in their unique abilities, visual designs, and background stories. The community received a significant boost with Riot Forge’s establishment—a specialized publishing division that collaborates with independent development studios to create games set within the League of Legends universe.

Dexerto secured exclusive access to discuss narrative development strategies with the creative director steering Riot Forge’s storytelling initiatives.

With nearly ten years at Riot, Parker brings extensive League expertise, having previously served as lead designer for numerous game modes. His contributions include helping establish the Riot Forge program back in 2018.

“We partner with external development studios to create games utilizing League of Legends’ world and characters,” Parker clarified. “Thus far, we’ve launched four titles with a fifth scheduled for release this year.”

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During his League tenure, Parker focused extensively on exploring alternative gameplay experiences through modes including Doom Bots and Star Guardians. However, these temporary playlists offered limited opportunities for the developer’s passion for game storytelling and narrative depth. This natural inclination eventually drew him toward the Forge initiative.

“After several years working on League of Legends, I felt compelled to return to narrative storytelling. Personally, I’m deeply passionate about storytelling and narrative elements in gaming experiences.”

Parker recognized League’s technical limitations imposed by its engine, viewing Forge as the perfect vehicle to create more expansive experiences by collaborating with independent studios.

“There were inherent limitations regarding what we could accomplish within League’s engine for those game modes during that period. Establishing Forge excited me because it enabled creating larger-scale games and experiences with indie studios while expanding our narrative capabilities and showcasing champion aspects impossible to explore within League itself.”

Champion Identity and Game Design Philosophy

When adapting champion characteristics into new gaming formats, Parker emphasizes maintaining clarity regarding each character’s core identity and aspirational fantasy.

“The initial step involves precisely defining the champion’s fantasy essence. What constitutes their combat identity? What aspirational fantasy do they represent? Developing comprehensive understanding from both game design and player expectation perspectives remains crucial.”

Rowan referenced the recently launched Convergence featuring Ekko as a prime example. This project spotlighted one of League’s popular champions through an innovative “side-scrolling 2D platforming perspective,” according to Parker.

“Millions of players possess deep familiarity with Ekko and maintain specific expectations regarding his combat feel and playstyle. We strive to meet these expectations while expanding his abilities and enhancing his power set.”

Despite this careful approach, Forge maintains complete flexibility regarding character selection, beginning with blank creative slates when collaborating with studios best equipped for specific projects.

“Some studios might anticipate us presenting predefined concepts asking ‘Can you develop this game idea?’ That doesn’t reflect our actual process.

When initially contacting studios based on their impressive game releases or development pedigrees, we primarily inquire about gameplay types they wish to explore or thematic and narrative elements important to their studio culture.

Certain studios prioritize stories featuring strong ecological themes or compelling female protagonists aligned with their values and integrated with gameplay. This leads to discussions like ‘Are you familiar with these six champions potentially matching your gameplay concepts, or might this Runeterra region align with your environmental preferences?'”

Additionally, Parker addressed Riot’s deliberate avoidance of character selection based exclusively on existing popularity metrics. A champion’s high standing in League rankings doesn’t automatically qualify them for standalone Forge projects.

“Character selection extends beyond popularity considerations,” Rowan emphasized. “We choose characters based on storytelling potential—those offering compelling narratives, engaging adventure companions, and opportunities for deeper character exploration delivering emotionally resonant stories. It transcends simple popularity evaluation.”

Collaborative Development Approach

Parker confirmed that despite extensive exposure to League’s champion roster—now exceeding one hundred characters—the potential exists for original Runeterra characters to emerge through these standalone titles.

“This approach doesn’t involve deliberate pursuit; rather, we explore original character creation when narrative requirements or gameplay considerations justify such additions.”

Beyond character focus, Forge titles serve as compelling entry points encouraging League players to explore new experiences. Developers within the Forge framework maintain acute awareness of Runeterra’s expansive world beyond individual champions.

These independently developed projects aim not only to provide fresh perspectives on featured champions but also to deepen understanding of the Runeterra regions they inhabit.

“Based on player feedback regarding our environmental design and spatial creation efforts… I believe we’re achieving success,” Parker noted positively. “Players consistently indicate we’re effectively expanding and enriching the game world.

Using Convergence as illustration, we developed numerous new Zaun suburbs and districts to complete the game environment. Many players likely don’t recognize these as new additions, which signals successful authenticity preservation and accurate Zaun representation.

As development progresses according to gameplay requirements, we’re filling blank canvas areas by constructing new regions and world sections. This process occasionally involves creating original characters while consistently enhancing environmental elements.”

Expanding Runeterra’s Universe

In conclusion, Parker summarized the Forge initiative’s overarching objectives, reiterating that “Forge Games represent love letters to our lore community and dedicated League of Legends enthusiasts.

For numerous players disinterested in online gaming or intense PVP experiences, Forge titles provide excellent entry points into our intellectual property. They also offer exclusive opportunities for world exploration—you cannot freely explore Zaun outside Convergence, nor investigate Demacia’s countryside beyond Mageseeker.”

Riot Forge’s latest release remains Convergence from May 2023. Their upcoming project features Nunu and Willump in Song of Nunu, scheduled for later this year.

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