Riot's big reveal this week is… well, a riot. Legends of Runeterra is the next big reveal following the announcement of League of Legends: Wild Rift portable. In a previous reveal of their upcoming projects, Riot said they spanned multiple platforms and across several very different genres. There was talk of a card game, but now we even have the title and a hands-on demo.
Upon entering the card game scene, Tencent-owned Riot launches a CCG title that springs from the LoL universe. Also, it features LoL characters and familiar themes. For example, MOBA fans will recognize the title Runeterra, which is the continent on which LoL extravagance, traditions and political machinations take place. It's also said that the first card game will feature 24 of the known characters from the LoL universe, but that probably doesn't include skills, spells, and other abilities.
At first glance, it looks like the game is taking a lot after CCG veterans such as Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone. In reality, Mr. Marc Merrill, the co-founder of Riot, explicitly stated in the company's big announcement that they are inspired by Hearthstone. Additionally, Riot has been pushing LoL and only focusing on their eSports expansion for a decade now and it has even become a common joke about how they are in the title.
And there is nothing wrong with the company focusing on one title and fixing it. However, now that this ship can sail on its own, it's time to take out the big guns. The riot grows, it spreads LoL on mobile platforms and consoles, and its explorations into other genres, like with this Legends of Runeterra card game, with their upcoming FPS tactical game, and there are also rumors that they are working on a Diablo-type action RPG.
All of these new games are promised by next year, when there is even in-game video footage for Legends of Runeterra. At first glance, the game feels like it takes a lot more than the original LoL in terms of graphics and styling. It also features the same champions, but it announces its own unique mechanics and playstyles, different from regular GCCs. Looks like this will be a card game of choice and chance. See for yourself if they're on the right track:
