Despite your takes on League of Legends or MOBA as a genre, it is hard not to appreciate the expert marketing that happens over at Riot Games. In their latest push for Season 2019, the development team has released a new trailer and song titled “Awaken” — easily one of the best cinematic and musical trailers so far in 2019.
Seen below, we see some terrific merging of animation and music — haunting vocals serve as a backdrop to a coliseum-based battle. Everything is told through cinematics, so there is no definite story. But the trailer opens to a booked orchestra hall with the piano being played. Meanwhile, a champion is determined within a coliseum while a resistance-themed fight plays out on a battleground.
Truth be told, no words are necessary. The animation and tight choreography unfolds like a fine-tuned ballet. Except a lot more death.
As a quick side note, “Awaken” features Valerie Broussard, an artist who is well-versed in bringing atmospheric pop to other major brands. Even better, if you are all in on “Awaken” you can expect to see the song on Spotify starting tomorrow:
Thanks to everyone reaching out about where they can stream ‘Awaken’ – it’s coming to Spotify tomorrow!
— Valerie Broussard (@vrbroussard) January 21, 2019
Which is likely great news for League fans, seeing how the trailer (which debuted only earlier today) is already sitting at nearly 3.5 million views and is trending in YouTube Gaming.
Even better, if you are enjoying what League of Legends is doing with their IP, you can expect more of the same in the near future. Taking to Twitter, David Higdon–Global Head of Communications for Riot Games and League of Legends–said as much explicitly, touting the success of both the RISE and K/DA POP/STARS videos that were so popular:
Look for more extensions of our IP in 2019… K/DA – POP/STARS video now over 150 million views on @YouTube while RISE is about to crack 100 mil, both launched via our #esports 2018 World Championships. Here’s the 2019 Season Opener: Awaken ft. @vrbroussard. Enjoy!
https://t.co/DlCHvGOpSQ
— David Higdon (@davidhigdon) January 21, 2019
If you are missing that reference to the KD/A POP/STARS, that was a prior amazing animation that debuted at the League of Legends Championship 2018. The community really took to the skin, with Akali’s look eventually making it into the game. And that’s not to mention how the song was later ported over to VR’s most iconic rhythm title, Beat Saber.
League of Legends is available on PC as a free-to-play MOBA game that dominates your entire life. Meanwhile, check out the musical trailer below:
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