Anima Squad Skinline PvE Mode
Riot Games has chosen the Anima Squad skinline for League of Legends’ major Summer 2024 in-game event. Players will experience a new game mode featuring these revamped champions, complete with two prestige editions of the Anima Squad skins.
Breaking new ground, the game mode falls under the bullet heaven survivor genre, a first for League of Legends PvE modes. Instead of the traditional QWER keys, players will use WASD to navigate their characters. The immersive environment and gameplay mechanics were entirely developed from scratch, showcasing Riot’s commitment to innovation and player engagement.
Why is League of Legends’ summer event centered around a PvE game mode?
The Anima Squad PvE mode offers an expansive and novel gameplay experience different from traditional League of Legends modes. The Product Lead, Sope May, shared that the team always planned to revisit PvE, and the introduction of Arena provided new avenues for creative exploration in game design. Arena's success and the rising popularity of survival genres played a significant role in the decision to develop a fresh PvE mode.
This renewed focus on PvE aims to incorporate a degree of replayability that hasn't been achieved in previous modes. The positive reception from players and continued interest in survival games helped secure support for this direction. This mode, inspired by the bullet heaven genre, was originally proposed by Kevin “Riot Sirhaian” Leroy, a Senior VFX Artist. Although initially shelved, Leroy's concept gained traction over time, eventually leading to the development of what is now the Anima Squad PvE mode.
The development team is not solely focused on long-term player retention through these fun game modes. Instead, Creative Director Ben Skutt emphasized that the goal is to deliver a “more novel, more unique experience” to players. This approach allows for exploring alternate universes within the League of Legends lore, offering players deeper connections with reimagined characters and storylines.
The Anima Squad PvE mode integrates up to nine playable champions, each adding unique gameplay elements and styles. It also introduces new mechanics like WASD movement, breaking away from the traditional mouse-click navigation in previous modes.
By presenting a “more novel, more unique experience,” Riot Games not only expands the League of Legends universe but also enhances player engagement through deeper character connections and innovative gameplay mechanics. This commitment to delivering fresh and engaging experiences continues to paint League of Legends as a versatile and dynamic platform for both new and veteran players.
How Riot Games decided on using the Anima Squad skinline for this PvE mode
Riot Games has historically seen success with integrating skinlines into their PvE modes, creating a deeply immersive experience for players. Eduardo Cortejoso, the Modes Product Lead, pointed out that while modes from the Odyssey or Star Guardian skinlines initially captivated players, their engagement dramatically dropped once players felt they had „solved“ or „completed“ these modes. This insight prompted Riot to reassess how they develop and sustain interest in their PvE modes.
A major consideration in choosing the Anima Squad skinline was the thematic richness and novelty it offers. During an internal brainstorming session, the team evaluated all historical skinlines and new ideas to see which one had the most promise. They placed these options on a board, discussing various aspects, ranging from player enjoyment to the potential for creating significant in-game moments.
Ben, another key figure at Riot, explained that while they have beloved skinlines like Star Guardian that are proven to appeal to players, they also realize the importance of introducing fresh and innovative themes to keep the game engaging. The need for a balance between well-loved themes and new experiences became evident.
Anima Squad emerged as a strong candidate due to its unique and captivating concept of cybernetic, animal-themed warriors. The team agreed that this skinline had substantial potential for creating a large-scale event that could maintain player interest. This alignment of vision led them to push forward with the Anima Squad skinline for the new PvE mode, believing it could meet their objectives for sustained player engagement.
Xayah but no Rakan — how champions were chosen for Anima Squad PvE mode
The decision to include specific champions in the Anima Squad PvE mode followed detailed discussions involving various teams. Riot Games chose Jinx and Riven as they were part of the original skinline and their inclusion provided a sense of continuity. Jinx's role was particularly notable; she was the initial prototype developed by the Modes Team.
Eduardo from Riot Games explained that aligning game modes with player interests involved numerous conversations across different initiatives. The goal was to determine which champions would generate the most excitement among players. This collaborative process involved input from the Skins Team, which considered factors like the inclusion of sword users, leading to the selection of Yasuo, and the need for roles like a tank and a ranged DPS, resulting in Leona and Xayah respectively.
Data and narrative considerations played critical roles in these discussions, influencing decisions about champion suitability within the storyline. Interestingly, despite Rakan not being part of the final lineup, an Easter egg was embedded in the game as a nod to his character. If players evolve Xayah's weapon, it involves a feather from Rakan, which bounces off enemies and returns to shield Xayah.
Riot Games is closely monitoring player engagement with PvE modes to gauge interest and potential for future content. Eduardo emphasized the importance of delivering content at a pace that maintains player interest. Unlike PvP modes, PvE experiences require regular content updates to stay engaging.
The Modes Team's approach reflects a balanced commitment to innovation and player satisfaction. They aim to learn from each PvE iteration and adapt accordingly, ensuring that new content continues to meet players‘ expectations. This strategy highlights Riot's dedication to evolving the gaming experience based on player feedback and interaction patterns.
