Those Two or Three Weeks with Riven

There was a stretch—two, maybe three weeks—when I was playing League of Legends with Riven and something clicked and I wasn’t completely useless. I don’t know what happened. Then it was over, and I went back to getting destroyed by twelve-year-olds, which has been the story ever since. But during those weeks I understood why people pour years into this game.

Riot Games put out an art book, and it’s the kind of object that makes the Summoner’s Rift feel like a place that actually exists somewhere—with weight, history, corners you haven’t found yet. Full-color illustrations, concept drawings, early character sketches, the whole developmental archaeology of champions who started as rough shapes and ended up as something millions of people recognize. We wanted to give players a deeper look into the stories behind some of the champions, the studio said. That’s exactly what it does.

The digital version is free to browse, and a print edition is available through the Riot merch store for anyone who wants something physical on a shelf. Worth it even if you’re only a casual fan. Maybe especially then—it’s easier to appreciate the artistry when you’re not actively being humiliated inside it.