Riot Games has finally pulled back the curtain on “Project K,” a new physical trading card game set in the League of Legends universe. Aiming to compete with giants like Magic: The Gathering, Project K promises vibrant card art, a focus on in-person play, and a robust competitive scene. Here’s what we know so far.
A Fresh Take on League’s Card-Battling Future
Project K isn’t just a physical spin on the digital card game Legends of Runeterra; rather, it builds on a new foundation. Riot wants to translate the League IP into something that feels both familiar and fresh, incorporating champion design philosophies and iconic characters like Darius, Ahri, and Miss Fortune. Early teases of “Rune Battlegrounds” from Riot’s China team now seem to have evolved into this fully realized TCG, set to debut in early 2025.
Global Plans and Publishing Partners
Project K will kick off with a launch in China, thanks to a local publishing partner. Meanwhile, Riot is searching for publishing partners worldwide, including the U.S. This strategic move hints at global tournaments and national-level championships, as Riot looks to build a thriving competitive ecosystem from day one.
Riot’s Ever-Expanding Universe
Project K isn’t Riot’s only major effort. The company has just wrapped up Season 2 of the Netflix-hit “Arcane” and continues to maintain its flagship MOBA, League of Legends. Other projects in the works include the fighting game 2XKO, the digital card game Legends of Runeterra, and a highly anticipated League MMO that’s still on the distant horizon.
Get Ready to Shuffle and Draw
With Project K set to shake up the TCG world, fans have a lot to look forward to. Will Riot successfully challenge the reign of Magic: The Gathering? We’ll learn more as we inch closer to 2025.
Want to hear more? We’ll discuss Project K in-depth on the next Geek Freaks podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2UT3KTb2m9aWIVYwdNGOmF
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