Riot Games Reveals Second Gay Champion in League of Legends
Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, unveiled the lore story of their newest champion Neeko. However, fans quickly noticed that there was one important aspect missing from her official story: Neeko is the game’s second gay champion. In her in-game quotes, Neeko shows a preference for female champions, and it has been confirmed by senior narrative writer Matt Dunn that she identifies as a lesbian.
A Growing Trend of Diversity in League of Legends
Neeko is the second champion in League of Legends to officially identify as gay. The first was Varus, who is actually two people and a darkin fused together, with two of them being gay. Varus’ backstory was revealed through a music video and lore refresh called “Varus: As We Fall.”
Diversity as an Explicit Goal for Riot Games
Riot Games has openly expressed its commitment to diversity. In an interview with Glixel, producer Tyler Eltringham mentioned the addition of a gay character to the roster, stating that Riot did not introduce a gay champion simply for the sake of representation. He emphasized that in a world where extraordinary things happen, such as space dragons visiting Earth and flaming teddy bears being thrown around, two men kissing should not be a cause for concern.
Expanding Neeko’s Storytelling Potential
Neeko’s sexual orientation does not impact gameplay in League of Legends, but Riot understands that fans are deeply invested in the game’s characters. The storytelling aspect in both League of Legends and Overwatch, with Tracer being the first openly gay hero, has proved to be essential. If Riot chooses to further explore Neeko’s identity as a gay champion, it is likely to happen outside of the game through various lore outlets.
League of Legends, Riot Games, Neeko, gay champion, LGBTQ+ representation, diversity, esports news, gaming community