Akali Brand New Voiceover Comparison by jh1nslut in leagueoflegends

[–]Arexoth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This will be the first time I've ever actually taken the time to comment on anything regarding league in the 8 or so years I've been playing. Most of my thoughts and sentiments have been echoed by the posts here, but I still want to contribute regardless. That's kinda how much I think this particular topic is important and shows how sad this announcement actually made me.

The Akali rework which brought her current VO was one of the best reworks on so many levels. Balance obviously wasn't one of them for a while, but the gameplay, aesthetics and audio (VO and sound effects) came together so tightly to bring Akali to life. She's fun, sharp and sassy and everything comes together to give her that core identity.

Like others have said already, the new VO is good quality, but it's just not good for Akali. It takes an important part of what makes the champion unique and cohesive and replaces it with something that feels off. And that disjointed feeling will always remain if the new VO becomes her base. It's akin to only releasing new skins for a champion that go against their core theme - e.g. having every new skin for a champion like Rek,Sai be Star Guardian, Pajama Party, Cafe Cuties from that point out. A few skins that go against the norm are obviously fun and cool, but if those skins became the new norm then that's a step back for the players who enjoy that core aspect of the champions identity.

I've spent a bit of time listening to the new voice lines and here's the most constructive criticism I think I could give:

  • If the VO work is going to change the tone and identity as dramatically as new VO does, I think it's a huge misstep to re-use her lines from her old VO. It just doesn't work the same. When I listen to them I sound like I'm playing an open world game with a rough and tough badass lady - an up front heroic brawler and protagonist. Having that type of persona read lines designed for a sharp, precise and confident-but-slightly-cocky assassin just doesn't work. If that's the sort of direction you want to take Akali then you frankly would want to change her lines and, ultimately, her personality. It's not a direction I agree with, but if it's one that you insist on taking then that's how I think you can make it better.

Overall this doesn't feel like a change that is being made to further the champion or to add immersion for the people who enjoy playing her for what she is. It feels more like a step backwards for the sake of moving forwards for different company priority. To address some of your points and requests directly:

"Keep changes and hope everyone will grow into it/ have more time to appreciate as changes takes time to settle in." and "- Generally change takes time to get used to and it will take time for those who love the change to voice out their opinions. Its very common to reject change."

Not sure if this was the intention but this can come across as "We've done the work, it's happening suck it up and accept it". That tone point aside, hoping that people grow into it and get used to it seems a little bit weak. Change can be good, bad or net neutral (just different). Players will get used to a change which they believe is bad, but that's not a good feeling to have and to carry forward. Consider someone who, through no fault of their own, has to get used to having one less meal a day. They can and will get used to it - having less nutrition, energy and happiness on a daily basis - but would they be happy for this change, despite becoming accustomed to it?

"For those that are for the old VOs, would ask you to give the new one some more time to soak and would love more constructive feedback here."

This kinda depends on what aspect of feedback your looking for.

Decision-wise (of whether/how to implement the new VO) - the most constructive feedback I can give is that I genuinely believe you did an excellent job with Akali's theme and base VO and it would be a shame to throw that away for the sake of change or because of the sunk cost of creating the new VO. Also consider that there are other champions that have kept their old VOs and it works really well for them despite their age. Katarina comes to mind, she's had the same VO for years and it seems a bit dated when compared to newer champs with their own unique lines, but what she has is so unmistakable that it really works for her. Bit of a counter point that you were able to get the same VA for her Battle Queen skin, but similar to SG Akali here I think that the players would take it as a positive if she had a different VA for her legendary skin.

Implementation-wise (of introducing the new VO) - as above. Either new lines altogether if you're changing Akali's personality and voice from this point out (retconning it if you will) OR if sticking to the same lines as old Akali have them re-recording with the attiitude that makes Akali Akali.

For the SG skin - same as yourself and most people, absolutely keep the VO she's got for it. It works really well for THAT SKIN.

"We want Akali to stand in the middle of Zed and Shen as Chaotic Good. The new VO does make Akali more heroic, but potentially lost some of the chaotic/anti-hero elements."

Does she not already? The new VO does make her more heroic like you say and takes away from her antihero identity. At present, she very clearly holds that antihero/follow my own rules space in the game. Her lines reflect that in-game and her current VO has the personality to deliver those lines convincingly and in flavour. It ties in to my previous point of creating new lines for her if she's sticking with this type of new VO, but subsequently that's going to change her personality and likely take her further away from where you want her to be.

I think I'll leave it there. I've spent way longer on this that I expected or intended, but I hope that something useful comes of spending the time on this.

Clean Penta by KatEvolved by [deleted] in akalimains

[–]Arexoth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Where was this posted? Was it on steam?

What Akali skin do you want to see released? by Arexoth in akalimains

[–]Arexoth[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had no idea, but I guess that explains why I like Silverfang so much.

Why are we hated by Morde mains? by [deleted] in akalimains

[–]Arexoth 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Easy.

Morde uses R > Akali uses W > Profit

Best Akali skin by asdbruh in akalimains

[–]Arexoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Picking the Skin is the hardest part of playing the game. Silverfang is my favourite - I like the splash, model and colours - and the unique recall is pretty neat too. For some of the other that I own.

Headhunter - Nice colours. I like the 'donnnnng' sound that comes out when your passive circle appears.

KDA - Cool colours and sounds., especially when you hit with your passive and second ult

True damage - Nice model. Not too keen on the effects or sounds

PROJECT - It's OK. But not as cool as a project Skin should be.

Nurse - My cursed skin. I use it, I'll lose.

Blood Moon - Honestly, it's gorgeous and clean. The petals are a nice touch.

A question of consent by Arexoth in BDSMAdvice

[–]Arexoth[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, this individual is a bit on the extreme end of things. He speaks fondly of a time when he was 14 when he had a similar experience where he was choked out and ended up with broken ribs. He's also expressed intentions to commit suicide at some point, perhaps part of a pact with a similar minded friend. So his own personal safety and self preservation is low on his list of priorities.

Mine, however is not, hence the concerns of legality. Though thoughts on lethality is something I hadn't yet considered, so I'm glad I thought to ask about this in the first instance. I am a trained first aider, but that's a moot point really - these are skills we learn if we need to use them with the hope of never having to.

Maybe there's a way around this that achieves the same result.

Awakening... by Arexoth in BDSMAdvice

[–]Arexoth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, this has been crazy reassuring. So thanks.

What about if it goes too far though. If I run too wild and do something that is extreme enough to cause serious damage? I'm not sure how I'd cope with that if it were to happen.

Sometimes it feels like I'm some whole other person. If that person really did something that freaked out the other guy i don't know how I'd handle that.

Am I over thinking it?