I'm sorry, but I think that when it comes down to it, Xyph and Morello have a huge misconception about the appeal of "grotesque" characters. When I read through either of you're posts, I'm getting a lot of misunderstanding about what exactly people who are interested in dark, dirty, grungy, grotesque creatures or characters really like about them. Further, I'm getting that the Riot Design Team in general seems to lean itself more towards "cleaner" characters with more "sleek" designs and "smooth" aesthetics combined with some sort of "whimsical", "zanny", "happy", "serious", or "cool" personality.
I for one think that's absolutely wrong. Xyph, you talk a lot about how it's hard to relate emotionally to the motivations or personality of a "Butcher" or an "Alien" type character under the false assumption that these sort of characters have no personality, or that they have, at best, some sort of "Brute" or "Beast" personality; I.E. that they are one-track minded without really much logical thought or complex motivations which leaves them to do little more than just die. Yet you miss that these beastial motivations can make a complex personality, or other darker motivations [the Hunt, Revenge, Murderous Malign, and Putridity] can lead to interesting character designs. The Aliens you mention are one example, but also take for example Freddy Kruger, Jason Vorhees, the Predator, Leather Face, and plenty more aside.
Now, lemme talk about Urgot for a sec here. First, lemme start by saying I think Urgot actually does have an appealing character design. I read a lot on this thread about how Urgot is "fat", something that doesn't reconcile with his character story. Anyone else think for a second that it's his skin or remaining body stretched over a mechanized spider body?!. Urgot is that mean junkyard dog general from Noxus's forces; he's not afraid to get down and dirty, evidenced by his scars and missing eye. And this is without referencing the obvious missing body and limbs. I think that's an interesting personality and character design. And I also think it's good that Urgot is there for another reason: people seem to forget or overlook that there was a war. It's an elephant in the room that I feel needs to receive more attention from a design point of view. Urgot serves as a reminder of that; regardless of all the whimsy that Riot likes to pander to, Urgot's there to underscore that there is more below that shallow surface.
I honestly don't think Riot's Design Team, or whoever's in charge of the image of champs, has chosen to explore enough the appeal of disgusting or disturbing champion designs in the world they created. There's zero orcs or goblins or ogres or devils or ghouls or mutants or demons or some form of cryptid. All because Riot continues to operate on the "lighter side of the force". Again, I understand the mood of this game; you'd like to appeal to a more whimsical, sleek, smooth seeking audience. I get that. But what you don't see is how many more people wouldn't mind having a rougher, lumpier, peculiar or slightly dirty character, if done correctly.
Honestly guys, if you really cared to, you could make another interesting "dirty" character; Trundle and Urgot are great, as well as the only, examples of this. But you don't understand how to make it fit in with your conception of your world yet. I'd say you need to learn how to reconcile that.
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