LoL: Riot Games admits to having censored the history of K’Santé in certain countries


The addition of K’Santé marked a turning point in League of Legends. For the first time in its history, Riot Games has confirmed that a new champion belongs to the LGBTQ+ community even before its release. While it’s true that some characters are portrayed as openly gay (like Kai and Valmar, or even Leona and Diana), those relationships weren’t confirmed until after the fact, long after their MOBA releases. A logical choice on the part of the studio which has been working for years in favor of diversity. However, Riot Games had to compromise and admitted to censoring the Pride of Nazumah story in some regions.

Necessary compromises?

In an interview given to sky newsJeremy Lee, the executive producer of League of Legends, said that the developer “would replace words such as ‘lover’ with ‘partner’ in countries hostile to LGBTQ+ rights”. He also claimed that he “was very proud of the new character and that Riot Games wanted everyone who plays League Of Legends to find a champion who looks like them.”

However, he also clarified that “Each region may release certain aspects of the game a little differently to fit the local culture”.

In China, Diana and Leona’s relationship is purely platonic

In short, some countries are free to adapt the stories of the different champions as they see fit. A case already known is that of China, which censored the latest news formalizing the romantic relationship between Diana and Leona – transforming them from lovers to mere friends.

A brake on LGBTQ+ rights?

According to Hanna Woo, head of international public relations, the characters in the game must be interpreted by the players themselves: “Even if it’s not made explicit, even if it’s not direct, even if changes have been made, or if some things aren’t as obvious about who this character is, it’s like you were supposed to see them”. However, when asked if the studio is making changes or omissions to the story of certain characters to accommodate the regime under which the game is released, Hanna Woo replied: “Yes, I would say we do.”

This situation disappointed players belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, in particular streamer Ben Austwick who said he was sad but not surprised by this practice:“Video games are part of the culture and should be at the forefront of pushing boundaries, especially in places where LGBT+ oppression is rampant. […] The straightwashing* of queer characters in games in countries with poor LGBT+ rights records is sad and proves that there is nothing more important than making as much money as possible.” he told Sky News.

(Straightwashing: erasing the sexuality of individuals to make it conform to a heterocentric world)





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