Exploring Technical Art in Game Development with Riot Games

Leo is a Technical Artist with nearly a decade of experience, shared between the animation and gaming industry, best known for his love of raccoons and everything game dev related. Emmy award winner, ex-The Coalition developer, overall python and optimization enthusiast now helping chart the path forward with Teamfight Tactics at Riot!

Jen is a Rendering Technical Artist based in Los Angeles. She specializes in node-based systems, Substance Designer, Substance Painter, & Unreal Engine. In 2022, she joined the Valorant team at Riot Games. She currently supports the development of various skin lines for Premium Content. Prior to Riot Games, she was at Blizzard Entertainment.

Aaron Aikman is a Principal Rendering Technical Artist who focuses on shaders, performance, procedural art pipelines, and problem-solving. Aaron has worked on AAA titles, indie games, cinematics, remasters, film, tv, and amusement park rides -- often wearing the many hats of a tech art generalist.  He now specializes in graphics - from shaders and rendering technology to profiling and optimization.  Aaron's most recent work before Riot Games was at Blizzard Entertainment where he was a Graphics Technical Artist and lead for 6 years, working on Diablo IV base game, seasons, and the expansion.  In 2024, he presented a GDC talk on the various water shaders in Diablo IV which is freely available on the GDC Vault.  Above all, Aaron seeks to add quality and speed to the art his team makes, and clarity and confidence to the teams they support.