Riot Receives Backlash over Limited Interactions in Latest Champion, Briar
Riot, the developers of the popular game League of Legends, have faced backlash from their player base after the release of their latest champion, Briar. The main reason for discontent lies in Briar's limited interactions with other champions and items in the game. League of Legends currently boasts a roster of 164 unique characters from the imaginative realm of Runeterra. The vivid characters, unique gameplay, and compelling storylines are amongst the main reasons the game has managed to retain its appeal over the years, including its recent venture with Netflix's hit series Arcane.
Concerns Over Decreasing Lore Interactions
However, players have noticed a concerning trend with the game's lore. This was made more evident with the release of the latest champion, Briar, sparking a widespread outcry amongst lore enthusiasts. Briar's voice lines include interactions with just three champions: Sion, Vladimir, and Talon, all from Noxus. This lack of engagement with more characters has caused an uproar amongst fans looking for more detailed narratives and links with other champions.
One player noted disappointment with the lack of interaction between Briar and other key characters such as LB and Swain. They highlight that Briar has significant backstory with these characters, as indicated by her lore. The Noxian Jungler's limited engagement with other champions in the game has turned off players who otherwise welcome complexity and interconnected character stories.
Possible Shift in Character Development
Earlier champion versions came with features like comments about items they purchased and encounters with other champions. Historically, this has not been the case with Briar, indicating a possible shift in Riot's direction with character development.
Some players mourn the loss of intricate elements such as champions commenting on purchasing items like 'Ekko on Nashor and Rabadon or Azir on Zhonya, Asol on Liandry, and so on'. On the other hand, a few players have noted that while the number of quality voice lines has fallen, plenty of voice lines don’t significantly contribute to the champion’s lore.
Hope for Additional Voice Lines
Briar is currently under beta testing, and there's a small possibility of additional voice lines coming into the frame before the official launch. However, given how close we are to the release date, it remains unlikely for any substantial modifications like adding new voice lines to be made.