The Role of Character Design in Shaping the Player Base of League of Legends
Kotipelto, Valo (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121235480
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121235480
Tiivistelmä
This thesis explores why representation in video games matters and the effects inclusivity or the lack of it can have on a community. This study looks at character design trends in video games over the years and assesses critically one of the most watched competitive video games, League of Legends.
Through quantitative analysis female character portrayal, role distribution and design development over time and its effects on the player base was analyzed. The analysis shows a pattern of inequal distribution of characters in League of Legends, leading to most female characters populating passive or co-dependent roles. This thesis emphasizes the importance of diverse character design in shaping the audience’s view of self and others and summarizes key points for diverse character creation.
Through quantitative analysis female character portrayal, role distribution and design development over time and its effects on the player base was analyzed. The analysis shows a pattern of inequal distribution of characters in League of Legends, leading to most female characters populating passive or co-dependent roles. This thesis emphasizes the importance of diverse character design in shaping the audience’s view of self and others and summarizes key points for diverse character creation.