The PROJECT skins were born... No. PROJECT is born in 2014, with the very first skin of this now large family: Yasuo. While it was supposed to be unique, the League of Legends community got excited, and a year later, five new PROJECT skins were created: Lucian, Leona, Fiora, Master Yi, and Zed. Riot Games set the table again in 2016 with three new skins. PROJECT: Ashe, Katarina, and Ekko.
Riot strikes again in 2017 with three new PROJECT skins for Jhin, Vayne, and Vi.
In the end, the overall story might sound confusing. Let's get this sorted out. The lore behind this family of skins is above all centered around and catalyzed by the confrontation between the PROJECT and G/NETIC.
The story takes place in an alternative universe, a dystopian and futuristic version of Piltover and Zaun, and sets up champions enhanced by cybernetic improvements as well as mechanized artificial intelligence. The PROJECT universe brings together two families of skins, the general PROJECT, and Programs. We will only develop the first family here.
G/NETIC, the rebels
Members of the G/NETIC rebellion are fighting to put an end to the atrocities committed by the PROJECT in the name of science and progress and to the detriment of humanity. The head of G/NETIC is none other than Ashe, who, after becoming aware of the human cost of the PROJECT's ambition, decided to fight against them in order to destroy them. At her side, we find Master Yi — one of the first PROJECT concepts that has now been liberated by the rebels. The same goes for Leona who opened her eyes and joined Ashe's side. The story is the same for Lucian, Yasuo and FIora. Ekko, on the other hand, was recruited by Ashe for his extensive knowledge of hacking.
The henchmen of the PROJECT
Few champions fight openly for the PROJECT. Zed, from the Command Line, is one of the heads of the PROJECT's counter-intelligence units. Its mission, to hunt down the rebels and exterminate them.
At her side is Katarina. Formerly a lieutenant in the rebellion, she returned to the Command-Line after a confrontation with Ashe. Some rebels still hope that her heart beats for G/NETIC and that she fights their enemy from within.
The loners
Three champions stand out, without any real belonging, they fight for their own ideals. First of all Vi — right and honest above all — maintains order and defends the law in the city. There is no guarantee that she will not turn around one day to join the rebellion.
Jhin became a famous mechanized hitman after a failed surgery. From this event, he kept the taste for high-level improvements, but the implants he stole from his victims caused a serious fragmentation of his personality. Jhin now has his own distorted vision of what the PROJECT and humanity should be.
Vayne — a former member of the counter-intelligence unit — betrayed her employers. She is looking for a way to put an end to the PROJECT and the technologies that haunt her soul. Vayne and Jhin are defined as vigilantes in the PROJECT universe.
Newcomers
The PROJECT family is back this year with no less than five new members. But on which side will they fight? Since the new skins were presented in a video entitled Outsiders, it can be assumed that these champions were exploited and modified by the PROJECT but ultimately rejected by the corporation that created them.
At the end of the short teasing video, we see four of the champions standing in front of the building, which could well be the PROJECT HQ. It emanates an atmosphere of revenge and anger, especially around Pyke. They are not here to talk. It should be noted, however, that Warwick is missing from the appeal. Could it be that he is the secret weapon of the PROJECT? A cybernetic beast dedicated to lacerating their enemies?
Yes, we were right! The PROJECT family returns to the Rift! Give a warm welcome to Pyke, Jinx, Akali, and Irelia as they put on their new suits for the first time!
PROJECT skins are coming back in League of Legends! Get ready, because Irelia's brand new Prestige skin will soon blast into the Summoner's Rift!
