When Riot Games unveiled Project K on December 8, 2024, it sparked instant buzz among fans of League of Legends. Many couldn’t resist comparing it to Legends of Runeterra (LoR), Riot’s first foray into the competitive card game genre. While LoR continues to thrive with PvE roguelike and PvP modes, Riot is shifting gears with Project K, a physical trading card game (TCG) set to debut in 2025.
But according to game director Dave Guskin, Project K isn’t here to compete with LoR—it’s here to complement it.
From Legends of Runeterra to Project K: A Shared Evolution
For most players, Legends of Runeterra was their first taste of Riot’s card game ambitions. Launched in 2020, LoR brought a fully digital, online TCG experience to life, blending League’s lore with dynamic gameplay. Project K, on the other hand, shifts the focus to in-person interactions, offering players a social gaming experience built around physical cards.
“LoR and Project K are designed to support each other,” Dave explained. While LoR thrives on its mix of PvP and single-player PvE experiences, Project K provides a new space for friends to come together and strategize face-to-face. The artistic legacy of LoR and League of Legends also carries over, with Project K drawing heavily from the iconic visuals of Runeterra.
How Project K Sets Itself Apart
Mechanically, Project K introduces fresh ideas to the TCG space. Unlike LoR, where players can combine champion decks, Project K uses single champion decks. Players can include multiple copies of their chosen champion, up to three per deck, allowing for specialized strategies.
Future expansions promise even more innovation. Riot plans to release colored variations of champions, such as yellow Jinx or green Jinx, each paired with unique runes and abilities. These variations will let players fine-tune their playstyles while keeping the essence of their favorite champions intact.
A Multiplayer TCG Built for Social Play
In the teaser for Project K, Dave Guskin boldly stated that Riot aims to deliver “the best social TCG” on the market. Unlike traditional TCGs that focus on elimination, Project K emphasizes player engagement, reducing pressure and allowing for strategic comebacks.
A key feature is the scoring system, tracked on a counter from one to eight. This design ensures players remain active and involved throughout the match, fostering a more enjoyable learning curve.
What’s Next for Project K: Riot’s Expansion Plans
Riot’s vision for Project K includes continuous growth through three primary avenues:
- Colored Champion Variations: Expanding existing decks with new abilities and styles.
- New Champion Decks: Adding more champions to the roster, each with unique mechanics.
- Accessories: Customizable card sleeves, playmats, and tokens to help players express themselves.
With over 160 champions in League of Legends, the team has plenty of ground to cover. “The good news is we can design champions faster than League does,” Dave shared. “The bad news? There’s a lot of them!”
The team has also explored creative battlefield ideas, drawing inspiration from League’s jungle with monsters and terrain variations. While these concepts haven’t made it to launch, they remain exciting possibilities for future updates.
Special Art and Alternate Designs
Fans of Arcane will be thrilled to hear that Project K plans to embrace alternate art treatments. The exclusive Arcane-themed card box showcased at the TFT Macao Open is just the beginning. Riot is eager to collaborate with international artists and explore new visual styles to elevate the game’s aesthetic.
Though there are no concrete plans yet, Riot’s passion for innovative art remains at the forefront of Project K’s future.
The Future of TCGs
With Project K, Riot Games is carving out a unique space in the TCG genre, focusing on social gameplay and expanding the League universe in new ways. Whether you’re a long-time LoR player or a newcomer to trading card games, Project K promises an unforgettable experience steeped in strategy, creativity, and the magic of Runeterra.
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