League of Legends (LoL) is a massively multiplayer online battle arena game that has become a cultural phenomenon around the world. One of the key aspects of LoL is its use of voice acting to bring its characters to life, and one such character is Zeri, a marksman from the city-state of Nerfus who wields bows and arrows. In this article, we will explore why Zeri’s voice is considered "Filipino-coded" and how it fits into the broader cultural context of LoL.
Firstly, let us discuss the basics of LoL. The game is played by millions of players worldwide, each controlling a champion with unique abilities and powers. Each champion has its own backstory, personality, and voice, which adds depth and richness to the gameplay experience. Zeri, for example, hails from the city-state of Nerfus and is known for her skill with bows and arrows. Her voice is played by actress Ashley Johnson, who is known for her work in popular shows like The Walking Dead and Westworld.
Now, let us dive into why Zeri’s voice is considered "Filipino-coded." To understand this, we need to know that LoL has a global player base, with players from all over the world. To make sure that the game is accessible to everyone, Riot Games, the developer of LoL, has created a system called "voicelines" where each champion’s voice is localized for different regions and languages. For example, in English, Zeri’s voice is played by Ashley Johnson, while in Korean, her voice is played by actress Park Hyun-kyung.
However, when it comes to the Filipino language, Zeri’s voice was not originally designed to be localized for that region. This is because there are very few Filipino players of LoL, and Riot Games did not want to invest too much time and resources into creating a voice line that would only be used by a small fraction of the player base. Despite this, some fans of LoL noticed that Zeri’s voice sounded distinctly Filipino. They started discussing it on social media and even created their own memes and fan art based on it.
Eventually, Riot Games caught wind of this and decided to create a Filipino-localized version of Zeri’s voice line. This was done by hiring a Filipino actress, Krystal Sanchez, to record new lines for the game. Sanchez’s voice is now the official Filipino voice for Zeri, and her lines have become an integral part of the game’s cultural identity.
Now, let us talk about why Zeri is considered "Filipino-coded." The term "coding" refers to the idea that certain media and art forms contain hidden messages or symbolism that are meant to appeal to a specific group of people. In the case of LoL, it is believed that Riot Games intentionally "coded" Zeri’s voice to appeal to Filipinos, even though there were very few of them at the time.
There could have been several reasons for this. For one, Riot Games may have recognized that Filipinos are a growing demographic in the gaming world and wanted to tap into that market by creating content that would resonate with them. Additionally, Filipino culture is known for its strong sense of community and camaraderie, which could have been seen as a valuable asset in building a loyal player base for LoL.
Whether or not Zeri was intentionally coded to appeal to Filipinos is up for debate. However, there is no denying that her voice has become an important part of LoL’s cultural identity and has helped to create a sense of community among players from all over the world.
So, what does this mean for Zeri and LoL in general? Well, it means that even though the game may be global in scope, there is still room for localization and adaptation to appeal to different regions and cultures. It also shows that the power of media and art can transcend cultural boundaries and bring people together in unexpected ways.
In conclusion, Zeri’s voice has become an important part of LoL’s cultural identity and has helped to create a sense of community among players from all over the world. Whether or not her voice was intentionally coded to appeal to Filipinos, it is clear that her presence in the game has had a significant impact on its success. As LoL continues to evolve and grow, it will be fascinating to see how the game adapts to different cultures and regions, while still maintaining its core identity and values.