Riot Games · Live Events · November 2017
The first large-scale live AR broadcast moment in esports history. A 60-meter-long Elder Dragon summoned in real-time onto the Beijing stage. Produced in partnership with Passion Republic and the Riot broadcast team. Winner of the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Graphic Design.
The Worlds 2017 Elder Dragon AR reveal: live broadcast footage. The dragon's entrance became one of the most-shared moments in esports history.
Blocking of the dragon entering the stadium, choreographing the sequence for timing, camera, and live broadcast integration.
Animatic for timing and camera tracking, locking the sequence before live execution with the broadcast team.
Side-by-side comparison inside a CG replica of the Beijing National Stadium, validating the AR compositing against the real environment.
Testing the Unreal Engine AR integration in the LCS parking lot at Riot: the first real-world validation of the pipeline.
View from the broadcast booth, tracking the AR dragon in real-time for the live production feed.
Live camera operator rehearsing AR dragon tracking. Precision physical camera work required to keep the virtual dragon locked to the stage.
3D Development · Concept Through Final Model · 2017
Six months of development from initial concept exploration through final real-time broadcast model. The Elder Dragon started from the existing League of Legends base champion model and was developed through three iterative concept phases: Wide, Deep, and Final, before moving into the production model pipeline with Passion Republic.
Wide Phase: Exploring Silhouette & Scale
Wide Phase A: initial silhouette exploration establishing the dragon's body language and scale.
Wide Phase B: alternative body proportion study.
Chest and top view, defining the overhead silhouette for the stadium flyover moment.
Deep Phase: Anatomy & Detail
Head study: the facial geometry that would need to hold up in close broadcast shots.
Limb anatomy, defining the musculature and joint structure for realistic movement.
Wing structure: the 60-meter wingspan designed for the dramatic arena entrance.
Final Phase: Locked Design
Final head design: the approved look delivered to Passion Republic for modeling.
Final body side profile: the definitive silhouette for real-time broadcast rendering.
Final top view, locking the overhead shape for the Bird's Nest flyover sequence.
Production Model: Blocking Through Final Texture
Model blocking: the base geometry establishing volume and proportions from the approved concept.
High-poly model: surface detail and anatomy refined for broadcast-quality close-ups.
Final textured model: fully lit and composited, ready for real-time Unreal Engine rendering at the Bird's Nest.
Epic Games · GDC · March 2018
Presented an overview of the AR Dragon production and technical pipeline at Epic Games' State of Unreal keynote at GDC 2018, sharing the creative and technical innovations with the broader game development community alongside Epic CEO Tim Sweeney and other industry leaders.
State of Unreal: GDC 2018. The AR Dragon segment begins at 28:06. Introduced by Epic Games CTO Kim Libreri, a key partner and advocate for the project throughout development.
Backstage at State of Unreal with Jerry O'Flaherty, moments before the presentation.
Walking out on stage at GDC 2018, presenting the AR Dragon pipeline to the global developer community.
On stage at State of Unreal, walking through the production innovations that made live AR at this scale possible.
Riot IP Expressions: the broader context of how the AR Dragon fit within Riot's approach to extending the League of Legends universe.
Beijing Setting for Worlds, framing the Bird's Nest as the backdrop and the unique technical challenges it created.
Global Partnerships: the cross-continental collaboration spanning Riot, Passion Republic, and the broadcast team that made the moment possible.
Sports Emmy · Outstanding Live Graphic Design · 2018
The AR Elder Dragon experience was awarded the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Graphic Design, recognizing the technical and creative achievement of the first large-scale live AR moment in esports history.
Awarded by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the Worlds 2017 Opening Ceremony. The first large-scale live AR moment in esports history, reaching 60M+ unique viewers worldwide at the Bird's Nest in Beijing.
A shared achievement across Riot's Esports and Creative Development teams, and a true collaboration with partners Passion Republic and Zero Density, whose technology made real-time AR at this scale possible.