Riot Games has recently introduced a new champion to the League of Legends roster, Hwei, who has sparked curiosity among players about his sexual orientation. Many fans are eager to know if Hwei identifies as LGBTQ+.
Hwei is an androgynous-looking champion from Ionia, known as The Visionary. He is a brooding painter who uses his abilities to punish criminals and provide solace to their victims. However, his troubled past still haunts him, as he was broken by Jhin, a criminal psychopath who believes murder is art.
During a roundtable with media, Riot Games addressed the question of Hwei’s sexual orientation and whether he was intentionally added to increase diversity in the game. Isa Mari De Leon, Associate Narrative Writer at Riot Games, explained that Hwei’s body type was designed to be distinct from other male champions in the game. As a mage, Hwei needed to have a slender and squishy silhouette, which contributes to his unique appearance.
In terms of his colors and design, Hwei’s vibrant palette reflects his artistic nature. The team at Riot Games used colors to inform his spells and convey his identity as an artist. However, Lexi “Lexical” Gao, Senior Product Manager for League of Legends champions, clarified that while diversity was discussed during Hwei’s development, the primary focus was on his gameplay and narrative complexity. Hwei was not specifically created as a representation of the LGBTQ+ community, but rather to fill a gap in the roster of champions.
Riot Lexical emphasized that representation is important, but it should be approached with intention and not as an afterthought. The team wants to ensure that when they do pursue representation, it is done right from the start, with thorough consultation and feedback from the community being represented.
In conclusion, Hwei’s sexual orientation has not been explicitly stated by Riot Games. While diversity is an important aspect of champion design, Hwei’s primary purpose is to challenge players with his complex gameplay mechanics. Riot Games aims to prioritize gameplay and narrative complexity when creating champions, while also considering representation in a thoughtful and intentional manner.
Stay tuned for more updates on League of Legends and its diverse roster of champions.
Source: ONEESPORTS
