Riot’s Project L – Release Date, and Everything You Need to Know!

As the creators of phenomenal gaming experiences like Teamfight Tactics, Valorant, and the captivating animated TV series Arcane, Riot Games has consistently demonstrated its ability to turn projects into gold. The company’s latest endeavor, Project L, is a 2D fighting game inspired by the popular game League of Legends.

With a design reminiscent of well-known 2D fighters like Guilty Gear, Tekken, and Street Fighter, Project L aims to become the next big contender in the fighting game scene. Here’s everything you need to know about Project L’s release date, roster, and more!

Release Date Speculation

Although there is no official release date for Project L, various indicators suggest that the game could potentially launch in late 2023 or early 2024. Considering Riot Games’ history with other projects, the earliest plausible release date for Project L is sometime in 2023.

However, with the game already having been in development for three years, it may be more realistic to expect a release within the 2025-2026 timeframe. As we eagerly await more information from Riot Games, let’s take a closer look at their past projects and their respective development timelines:

While Teamfight Tactics only took 18 weeks to develop, it was built inside the League of Legends client and used resources from the existing game. In contrast, Arcane, a fully-animated, voice-acted, and produced series, took six years to complete. Valorant, which was developed from scratch, also required six years before it was finally released.

Given this context, it seems that Project L‘s development may lean towards the longer side of the spectrum. Although fans may be eager for an earlier release, it’s crucial to consider the complexities of developing a game from scratch, especially one as unique as Project L.

In the meantime, stay tuned for updates from Riot Games as they continue to work on this highly anticipated project. As the development progresses, we can expect more details to emerge, providing a clearer picture of when we might get our hands on this exciting new 2D fighting game.

Roster and Survey

Project L has already confirmed the inclusion of several popular champions, such as Ahri, Darius, Ekko, Jinx, Katarina, and Illaoi. These characters are expected to bring their unique abilities and playstyles to the 2D fighting game, offering diverse gameplay options for players.

Riot Games sought player input by conducting a survey to determine which champions the community would like to see in the game. While it is important to note that not all champions from the survey will make it into the final roster, several fan-favourite characters have been highlighted as potential additions.

Some of these potential inclusions, along with their unique attributes, are listed below:

• Vi – Known for her powerful punches and ability to lock down a single target, Vi could provide a mix of aggressive, close-quarters combat and crowd control to the game.
• Sett – As a brawler who thrives in the heat of battle, Sett’s inclusion could add a unique playstyle that revolves around trading blows and capitalizing on opponent mistakes.
• Riven – With her intricate combo-based gameplay and high mobility, Riven could bring a high skill ceiling and flashy playstyle to Project L.
• Yasuo – As a swift swordsman with a strong focus on mobility and precision, Yasuo’s addition to the roster could offer players a fast-paced, high-risk, high-reward playstyle.

In addition to the characters listed above, other champions that were featured in the survey could also make for interesting additions. Their unique abilities and playstyles could offer even more depth and variety to the gameplay experience in Project L.

As we await more information about the game’s development and potential character roster, it’s essential to remember that these speculations are based on player preferences and existing champions’ abilities within the League of Legends universe.

The final roster for Project L will ultimately be determined by Riot Games and their development team, taking into consideration the game’s design, balance, and other factors.

Leaks and Insider Info

A Redditor, who claims to have close ties with a Riot Games employee, has shared some intriguing information about Project L that has garnered attention from both the fighting game and League of Legends communities.

While it is crucial to take this information with a grain of salt, as it comes from an unofficial source, it provides some interesting insights into the game’s development process and goals.

• Official name: According to the Redditor, the game’s official name has not yet been decided. This suggests that “Project L” is still a working title, and the final name could be unveiled at a later stage of development or during an official announcement.
• Release date uncertainty: Even within Riot Games, there seems to be no confirmed release date for Project L. This indicates that the development team is likely focused on refining the game and its mechanics before setting a definitive launch timeline.
• COVID-19 delays: The Redditor mentions that the original plan was to release Project L in 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the development process. This might have resulted in the postponement of the release date to a later time, possibly late 2023 or early 2024.
• Target audience: Interestingly, the source states that Project L is primarily targeted towards fighting game enthusiasts, rather than solely League of Legends fans. This approach could help the game establish a unique identity within the fighting game genre and attract a broader audience.
• Competitive scene: Riot Games reportedly has plans to host tournaments for Project L, aiming to attract professional fighting game players to try out the game. This move could help build a strong competitive scene for the game, much like what Riot Games has achieved with League of Legends and VALORANT.

While the aforementioned information is sourced from an unofficial channel, it does provide a glimpse into the potential direction and development status of Project L.

Platforms

As anticipation builds for Project L, many gamers are curious about the platforms on which the game will be released. Currently, it is expected that Project L will be released for PC, specifically targeting the Microsoft Windows operating system. This decision aligns with Riot Games’ history, as their flagship title, League of Legends, was also initially launched on Windows.

While there are no concrete plans at the moment to release Project L on other platforms, it is worth considering the potential for console versions in the future. Here are some factors that could influence the decision to expand the game’s availability to consoles:

• Market demand: If there is significant demand from console players for a fighting game like Project L, Riot Games may consider developing console versions to capitalize on this market opportunity.
• Technical feasibility: The development team would need to assess the technical feasibility of adapting Project L’s gameplay, controls, and performance to different console hardware. This process can be time-consuming and may require additional resources.
• Cross-platform play: One of the major factors for a successful multi-platform release is the implementation of cross-platform play. Riot Games would need to ensure seamless cross-platform compatibility, allowing players on different systems to compete against each other without any technical barriers.
• Success of other Riot Games titles on consoles: Riot Games has recently ventured into the console market with titles such as League of Legends: Wild Rift. The success of these titles on consoles could encourage Riot Games to consider a console release for Project L.
• Competing with established fighting games: The fighting game genre has a strong presence on consoles, with titles like Street Fighter, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat enjoying immense popularity. To tap into this market, Riot Games might consider releasing Project L on consoles to compete with these established franchises.

Free-to-Play and Gameplay

One of the most significant features of Project L is its adherence to Riot Games’ free-to-play model, which has been a successful formula for the company in the past. With no pay-to-win mechanics, Project L aims to create an accessible and enjoyable experience for all players, regardless of their financial investment in the game.

This approach ensures that the game’s success is built upon player skill and dedication rather than monetary advantage.

The gameplay of Project L is designed to be smooth, fast-paced, and engaging, with an emphasis on rewarding skillful play and creativity. The developers have incorporated a wide range of movement options, attack combinations, and defense strategies to cater to different playstyles and encourage experimentation.

These elements work together to create a dynamic and challenging gameplay experience, which is further enhanced by the game’s innovative tag team system. This system adds a new layer of depth to gameplay by allowing players to switch between two characters during a match, offering unique strategic possibilities and fostering teamwork.

To better illustrate the key features of Project L’s gameplay, the following table highlights some of the core elements that players can expect to encounter:

As development progresses and more information becomes available, the true extent of Project L’s gameplay features and depth will be revealed. For now, fans can look forward to a free-to-play fighting game that places a strong emphasis on skill, creativity, and strategic thinking, providing an engaging and immersive experience.

Conclusion

Project L by Riot Games is shaping up to be an incredible addition to the fighting game genre. With a unique art style, iconic League of Legends characters, and a commitment to providing a free-to-play experience that rewards skill and creativity, this game is sure to delight both fighting game enthusiasts and League of Legends fans alike.

 Keep an eye out for updates on Project L’s release date, roster, and more as we eagerly await its arrival!