Riot Announces New League of Legends Trading Card Game: Project K
Riot Games has unveiled Project K, a new trading card game (TCG) set in the League of Legends universe. Drawing inspiration from Riot's acclaimed collectible card game (CCG), Legends of Runeterra, Project K promises a fresh take on the TCG genre while maintaining ties to the beloved LoL lore.
Building on the Legacy of Legends of Runeterra
Since its launch in 2020, Legends of Runeterra has been praised for its approachable progression system and faithful integration of League of Legends' rich lore. With 11 expansions under its belt—the latest being Dreamlit Paths in April 2024—the game has carved out a niche among LoL fans and card game enthusiasts. Now, Riot aims to build on that foundation with Project K.
Unveiled in a four-minute video on December 6, Project K is a digital TCG with design elements reminiscent of Legends of Runeterra. Riot clarified that while this isn’t a physical version of LoR, the two share "champion design philosophies" and even reuse some of LoR's iconic artwork. Notably, Project K retains LoR’s distinct card description style, written in the first person. For example, a Yasuo card reads: "When I attack, deal damage equal to my Might to an enemy here." This stands in contrast to more traditional TCGs like Magic: The Gathering, which typically use third-person phrasing.
Champion Themes and Gameplay Formats
Riot has teased a variety of deck themes for Project K, emphasizing unique playstyles tied to its champions:
- Viktor: Focuses on assembling and buffing a swarm of minions to overwhelm opponents.
- Volibear: Emphasizes brute strength and overpowering enemies through direct combat.
- Jinx: Designed for tempo decks, with her ability temporarily boosting her attack power each time the player discards a card.
While the game supports traditional one-on-one matches, Project K was primarily designed for two-versus-two and free-for-all formats, offering chaotic and dynamic gameplay experiences. "We think we've created the best social TCG out there," said game director Dave Guskin.
Release Plans for 2025
Project K is slated for a staggered release in 2025. Riot plans to launch the game in China first, with an early rollout scheduled for next year. The company has already secured a distribution partner in China but is still seeking one for the U.S. market. While companies like Magic: The Gathering publisher Wizards of the Coast might be strong candidates, Riot hasn’t confirmed any partners for stateside distribution yet.
With Project K, Riot Games aims to expand the League of Legends universe while introducing innovative gameplay to the TCG genre. Fans eagerly await more updates as the release approaches.
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