Most of Deadlock’s top designs tap into some kind of trope from NYC, 20th century culture and/or classic Halloween. So Nurse Harrow is the evil asylum nurse trope popularized by famous novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest, while Solomon is the classic groups of old guys playing chess in the park. Other examples include Abrams as the PI, Seven representing the electric chair, and Victor as well, you know. Some of them are pretty deep cuts too, like Kelvin being inspired by the “Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration”.
The issue people have with violet is the design is generic enough to appear in any other moba without alteration. The other designs are really unique in comparison and link into the setting super well - new york has rats, old ladies that feed pidgeons, dudes who hustle chess and the lot. 'Lady with beret' is kins of just art character 101
I don't think NY street art has any specific art style really, so beyond conveying "NY street artist" the style the character uses feels a bit irrelevant (especially considering we've just added Chinatown, so.. not all that off mark).
Sure though, from her splash art alone it is probably a stretch to assume she is one, but I'm gonna guess it's more likely she's that than an art character 101 insert.
I don't think NY street art has any specific art style really, so beyond conveying "NY street artist" the style the character uses feels a bit irrelevant (especially considering we've just added Chinatown, so.. not all that off mark).
NY Street Art is usually thought of graffiti tags or big mural portraits on walls. Not Ancient Chinese Inkbrush paintings. I'm not sure how you could conflate the 2 as "well they're both art!"
Considering the blandness of her design, it isn't farfetched to think her actual character is equally as bland as "Art character 101"
And somehow painters have had absolutely no cultural relevance over the centuries, lmao? Are we being serious right now or are you being dense on purpose? Heck, their relevance has ALWAYS been relevant and simply evolved with the times, like now with AI debate.
A painter is JUST as iconic as a "old chess guy" and a nurse. And are we sure she's even an asylum nurse or are you just making that up?
And somehow painters have had absolutely no cultural relevance over the centuries, lmao?
That's the point. Painters have existed in every culture, time period, and setting. You can find them in plenty of other games, too. People prefer the other designs precisely because they are unique to Deadlock's stylistic blend of mid-century NYC and spooky monsters and magic.
You could imagine a painter character being in DoTA, League, or Overwatch (there actually are ones in the first two) but NYC Chess in the Park Guy? that's something you'd only ever see in Deadlock.
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u/ABigFatPotatoPizza 14d ago
Most of Deadlock’s top designs tap into some kind of trope from NYC, 20th century culture and/or classic Halloween. So Nurse Harrow is the evil asylum nurse trope popularized by famous novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest, while Solomon is the classic groups of old guys playing chess in the park. Other examples include Abrams as the PI, Seven representing the electric chair, and Victor as well, you know. Some of them are pretty deep cuts too, like Kelvin being inspired by the “Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration”.