Players of League of Legends have voiced their frustration over a new cinematic for the mobile version, Wild Rift, which they allege is entirely AI-generated. This has sparked a wave of controversy, prompting a response from Riot Games.
Riot Games has a history of producing stunning cinematics, such as the popular K/DA music videos and the acclaimed series Arcane. However, the latest cinematic, celebrating Wild Rift’s third anniversary in China, failed to meet fan expectations and was ultimately deleted from Weibo due to backlash.
The two-minute video showcased characters like Seraphine, Jinx, Aurora, Yasuo, and Ezreal performing on stage amidst a virtual fan crowd while battling foes. Despite the promising concept, fans quickly pointed out several discrepancies, indicating that the video appeared to be collectively crafted through AI. One user criticized Seraphine’s vocals as sounding “a mess,” while others called attention to mismatched voice lines, unusual character behaviors, and unrealistic facial expressions.
Comments on social media highlighted the video’s shortcomings, with one user sarcastically referring to it as “bootleg Kpop demon hunters.” The portrayal of characters using unconventional weapons also drew ridicule; for example, Jinx was depicted wielding a Glock, while Yasuo appeared to be using a lightsaber.
In response to the uproar, David Xu, the Executive Producer for League of Legends: Wild Rift, issued a statement. He acknowledged the community’s feedback and admitted that the creator-made video did not meet the high standards typically expected from Riot’s content. Xu emphasized the importance of maintaining quality and clarity regarding the origins of the content shared on official channels.
Overall, while the reaction to the cinematic has been predominantly negative, the engagement from the community indicates a passionate fanbase eager for quality content and willing to express their views on how it could be improved. Riot Games’ willingness to listen to feedback can serve as a positive indicator for future projects, as they reaffirm their commitment to quality and community engagement.