The True Making of Your Beloved League of Legends Champion Themes

When League of Legends was first introduced by Riot Games back in 2009, champion themes were nowhere to be found. However, over a decade later, every single champion now boasts their own personalized theme song. These musical compositions are meticulously crafted to capture the essence of each champion’s personality, background, relationships, and their respective place within the vast world of Runeterra.

The inclusion of champion themes has become an integral part of champion releases and updates, eagerly anticipated by players. These captivating melodies can be easily accessed on popular streaming platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. In an exclusive interview with VPEsports, Riot Games’ music composer, JD Spears, provides insights into the fascinating process behind conceptualizing and creating these evocative themes. He discusses the team’s careful considerations, collaborative efforts with other departments, and the aim of delivering a truly immersive and cohesive experience to the players.

How Riot Games Music kicks off the process of writing LoL champion themes

LoL champion themes have become an integral part of the larger champion creation process, encompassing various stages such as conceptualization, concept art, game mechanics, character design, lore, and more. With over a decade of development, every champion now boasts their own distinctive theme song, tailored to their personality, background, relationships, and the region they hail from in Runeterra. The inclusion of champion themes has become a highly anticipated aspect of new champion releases and updates for players. These captivating compositions are easily accessible on major streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the world of League of Legends through music. In an exclusive interview with VPEsports, Riot Games’ music composer JD Spears sheds light on the intricate process of conceptualizing and crafting these themes. As the development of a new champion begins, the music team aims to be involved early on, ensuring that they contribute their thoughts and ideas before the creative process progresses too far. JD shares his experience working on Milio’s theme, his first major assignment at Riot Games. Having joined the company in October 2022, JD initially grappled with feelings of self-doubt, questioning his ability to meet the high standards set by the team. However, the support and kindness he received from his colleagues allowed him to overcome his initial fears. JD describes the moment he presented his music during the first review meeting as a monumental milestone in his career. The positive feedback and encouragement further fueled his passion for creating exceptional champion themes. Witnessing the players’ reactions to the theme was an unreal experience, affirming the deep connection between the music and the game’s community.

While working on Smolder’s theme, JD’s involvement in the project came at a later stage due to various factors. This highlights the flexibility required in the creative process to address the unique challenges that each project presents. Despite the defined process and timeline that the team strives to follow, they remain adaptable to ensure the best possible outcome. The diversity of LoL champion themes extends not only to individual characters but also to the fact that Riot Games revisits previously released champions to compose new themes for them. Understanding the different sets of player expectations becomes crucial when creating themes for older champions. Additionally, when a champion is influenced by real-world cultures, it significantly impacts the approach to composing the music. The music team must remain clear about their goals and objectives at each stage of the process to ensure a cohesive and immersive experience for players. Over time, the role of LoL champion themes has evolved. Initially serving as a means to connect players with the game’s lore, they have grown to become powerful tools for world-building. The music enhances the material produced by Riot Games’ marketing team and enables players to forge deeper connections with their favorite champions, even when they are not actively playing the game. Music serves as a bridge between the virtual world of Runeterra and the players’ real-life experiences, creating a sense of familiarity and emotional resonance.

Throughout the composition, production, and live recording process, the music team keeps a myriad of considerations in mind. JD describes his personal composition process, which involves gathering as much inspirational material as possible, including concept art, narrative beats, and voiceovers. This helps him develop a profound understanding of the character’s lore before translating it into music. However, the creative process is not without its challenges. JD shares the difficulties he faced while working on Smolder’s theme, where the initial executions did not meet his expectations. Fortunately, Riot Games provides him with the opportunity to receive on-demand feedback from fellow composers, who offer valuable insights and suggestions for improvement. This collaborative approach ensures that the themes continuously evolve and meet the high standards set by Riot Games and the player community. The creation of LoL champion themes is a dynamic and collaborative process that combines creativity, deep understanding of the lore, player expectations, and cultural influences. The music team at Riot Games, led by JD Spears, showcases their passion, dedication, and commitment to delivering exceptional musical experiences for players. The evolution of champion themes reflects the ever-growing connection between the players and the world of League of Legends, as music becomes a vital component in immersing players in the rich tapestry of Runeterra.

Relationship between LoL champion themes, the champion, and the Runeterra region where they originate from

While the Runeterra region and affiliation of each champion often heavily influence their LoL champion theme, JD explains that it’s not a strict rule. The team prioritizes ensuring that the theme accurately represents the character’s essence and story, even if it means deviating from the expected regional influence. According to JD, the top priority is for the theme to resonate with the champion’s personal journey and experiences. For instance, if a champion originates from Demacia but harbors resentment towards their homeland, it may not make sense to force a stereotypically “Demacian” sound onto the theme. Instead, the focus is on capturing the champion’s unique perspective and emotions, allowing their personal connection to the region to shape the music in a more authentic way. Beyond the champion’s relationship with their homeland, the team also takes into account their connections and interactions with other characters in the game. These relationships can significantly impact the composition and style of the theme. JD provides an example with Hwei, a champion released several years after Jhin. The creative vision for Hwei’s theme considered Jhin’s presence and influence, resulting in a deliberate use of the violin to reflect their connection and shared narrative.

JD highlights the collaboration with external composers, such as Ben Hicks, as an essential aspect of creating LoL champion themes. When the team decides to outsource certain themes, they carefully select composers who are a good fit for the creative vision. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions are scheduled to ensure that the music aligns with the intended direction and maintains consistency with the overall theme of the champion. This iterative process allows for ongoing refinement and collaboration, fostering a sense of shared ownership over the final composition. The music team at Riot Games values the input and expertise of both internal and external composers. Regardless of whether a composer is working in-house or as a freelancer, the feedback and review process remains consistent. This ensures that the music team maintains a unified vision and that the themes consistently meet the high standards set by Riot Games.

In conclusion, the creation of LoL champion themes is a dynamic and collaborative process that goes beyond simple regional associations. The team strives to create themes that deeply resonate with the individual champion’s story, experiences, and relationships. By prioritizing the champion’s personal journey, the music becomes a powerful tool for storytelling and emotional connection. The collaboration with composers, both internal and external, further enriches the creative process, resulting in unique and memorable themes that enhance the overall player experience in the world of League of Legends.