League of Legends might not be as popular as back in its peak due to the arrival of multiplayer game Overwatch, but that does not mean that Riot Games is no longer putting in the work needed for the title.
Riot Games' latest project is a free online artbook for the game, and all players, whether fans or not of League of Legends, should definitely take a look at the gorgeous artwork being shown off.
The League of Legends online artbook can be accessed through a dedicated link, and it includes five sections, namely Introduction, Champions, Summoner's Rift, Teamwork and Acknowledgements. The website is structured to work like an actual artbook, with every click or press on the arrows of the keyboard flipping the pages.
In the Introduction, Riot Games wrote about how it has always been trying to "level up" League of Legends since it was released in 2009. The universe created by the game is seemingly without boundaries, and the artbook looks to offer players a peek into the process that Riot Games follows in the continuing evolution of League of Legends.
The Champions section features Annie, Ahri, Heimerdinger, Vi, Gangplank, Gnar, Tryndamere, Ekko, Rengar, Jinx, Miss Fortune, Singed, Sion, Braum and Sona. The pages contain explanations on the creation of the characters, the backstories of the heroes, concept sketches and high-quality images. Gamers who do not see their favorite champion on the list should expect them to be included in later versions of the online artbook, as this is only volume one.
The Summoner's Rift section also contains sketches, high-quality images and concept explanations, but instead of focusing on the characters, the subject is the most popular map on League of Legends and all the monsters, structures and landscapes that can be found in it.
The Teamwork section features art depicting multiple heroes in various situations. Riot Games admitted that it took them a few years to realize the storytelling potential of such illustrations, but such artwork is now in full swing in development, with images included in the artbook depicting combat situations, beach trips, heavy metal concerts and so much more.
Lastly, in the Acknowledgements section, Riot Games sends out its appreciation to the players who continue to drive the success of League of Legends and to the artists who have, through the years, contributed to the League of Legends universe.
The online artbook is also available in physical form through the Riot Games merchandise website, though, of course, that is not free. Players who would like to have The Art of League of Legends: Volume 1 in their collection can purchase the regular artbook for $75 and the collector's edition for $150.
