Riot's Project L: Release date, characters, trailers, leaks, and more

Riot Games’ Project L is probably one of the most anticipated fighting games out there. One of the reasons for this is the involvement of two well-respected Cannon brothers in the fighting game scene. Riot Games finally released a ton of gameplay footage for Project L during EVO weekend (August 4th to August 6th), and here we have a look at the upcoming League of Legends-based game. Here’s everything we know about fighting games. We covered Project L’s release date, gameplay features, characters, and more.

Project L release date

If we had to guess, we’d expect Project L to launch under its official name sometime next year, possibly before EVO 2024 . Alternatively, we can expect an official announcement to be made during the EVO 2024 event along with an introductory tournament.

The game is already in a playable state and is being tried out by many professionals invited from the scene during the EVO 2023 event. So, if development time goes well, we can expect a release date to be announced soon. Additionally, if Riot Games decides to announce a release date for Project L at EVO 2024 next year, it would be a nice nod. Recall that the existence of this game was first confirmed during the EVO 2019 talk show.

Platforms supported by Project L

If you’re a fan of fighting games like Tekken, Street Fighter, and Mortal Kombat, you’ll want to know if Project L is available on your favorite platform. Judging by how most games have shifted their focus to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, we expect Riot to follow suit and release games on all these platforms.

Additionally, a tweet by the username @RiotFGC shared an image showing Project L in action on PS5 at the EVO 2023 exhibition hall demo. While this certainly confirms it as one of the platforms, the game is also available on other platforms if the developers put in the time and effort. Riot Games has not yet confirmed supported platforms.

Project L price details

Last year, Riot Games confirmed that Project L would be a free-to-play fighting game . However, they have not shared any positions on whether there will be a seasonal battle pass, how new characters will be unlocked, etc. Previously, a fighting game released on Xbox called Killer Instinct also had a free-to-play system, allowing players to try out two main characters for free. The remaining character roster was unlocked for a limited time on a rotating basis. Later, an option was added to permanently unlock the character. It will be interesting to see if Riot Games borrows this system for Project L.

Another thing Riot could do is borrow methods used in Valorant, such as the new Kingdom Points system. Players have character-specific unlocks that can be completed during a match. You can unlock it for free after reaching a certain threshold. Other than that, you can unlock characters by paying money.

What kind of fighting game is “Project L”?

The first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is probably what kind of fighting game Riot is building with League of Legends characters. After all, there are many subgenres of fighting games. These include tag-based fighting games like Marvel VS Capcom, traditional 1v1 games like Street Fighter, and 3D fighting games like Tekken.

That said, Project L will be an assist-based fighting game , allowing players to select two characters from a roster and team up during a match. During a match, you can summon a second character to extend your combos, or tag out to control other characters. It follows the foundation established by titles like Marvel VS Capcom, Skullgirls, and Power Rangers: Battle of the Grid.

Additionally, Project L will be a team-based fighting game where a team of two players can control two different characters and face off against another team.

Project L Gameplay Features (Verified)

As mentioned earlier, this game is a team-based assisted fighting game. This means that a team of two players can control each character to fight against other teams. You can also play like a traditional assist-based fighting game, controlling both characters simultaneously in a match. Additionally, you have the option to play 2v1. A recent video shared by the team confirms that Project L will be a six-button fighting game.

Buttons and aggressive options

There are buttons for light attack, medium attack, and heavy attack . The remaining buttons are assigned to two special moves that each character can use. These special moves are further transformed into ultimates and come in three variations. Press the Down button twice and press the S1 or S2 button to perform one of the two Level 1 ultimate attacks.

With this same input, we’re hoping to be able to push both specials together for a cinematic level 2 ultimate performance. By combining and matching the above inputs, you can achieve combos in the game, and the higher the combo, the more damage.

Defensive options and assist options

When it comes to defense, there are many different ways to protect yourself. You can do staple back or down back block . Additionally, the game adds meter-based push blocks that push opponents away, retreat guards that dash back while blocking, and even low standing parries.

The Assist button is used to call a team member for help. Riot Games allows you to quickly summon other characters and players in case of emergency, you can call them whenever you want, and you can even call them to extend your combos.

Finally, before the match begins, you can select one of the modifiers from the fusion system . These change the gameplay and give different advantages to the match. For example, one can link an ultimate and the other provides an attack boost.

Project L confirmed character

Since Project L is still in development, the roster will likely continue to grow by the time of official release. The final version of Project L’s characters has yet to be confirmed, but thanks to a demo on the EVO show floor, we know which characters are confirmed to appear in the game. these are:

• catalina
• Darius
• echo
• Ahri
• Illaoi
• jinx
• Yasuo

Additionally, if you need to predict what other characters will be joining the game, League of Legends characters like Vi, Caitlyn, Pantheon, Miss Fortune, Lee Sin, Warwick, and Akali will be joining Project L in the future. It is expected that it will be available. Each of these characters fits perfectly into the fighting game archetype. For example, Vi is a melee-based character in League of Legends. Similarly, Caitlin could be a zoner/trap-based character given how she uses snipers and traps to trouble opponents in League.

One of the great things about the League of Legends IP is that almost every character can join the fighting game. So it’s up to the developer to add to the roster and who to add and experiment with.

Project L teaser and trailer

The existence of Project L by Riot Games was first confirmed by one of the Cannon brothers during EVO 2019 . Later, during League of Legends’ 10th anniversary celebration, Tom Cannon officially announced the game. The video included ongoing footage of Jinx fighting Katrina and concept art of Darius. Check here:

We then officially heard about the game, now called Project L, at the RiotX Arcane event in November 2021. In the video, the Cannon brothers introduced the title, announcing the name, the nature of the game, and how League of Legends is their favorite. In fighting games, characters are translated.

On July 27, 2023, we revisited the game in its current state. This time, the team announced “Project L,” a team-based tag fight game. The game allows players to play with other players or solo like a classic assist-based fighting game. We also got to see a polished look to the gameplay, including a polished HUD.

And over the weekend of EVO 2023, Riot Games confirmed that one of LoL’s favorite (debatable) characters, Yasuo, will be joining the Project L roster. Yasuo’s move set, special abilities, and level 2 finisher are introduced for the first time. The team also shared gameplay mechanics and how Project L will play post-launch.

Who is the developer of Project L?

Another big question that many people have is who is responsible for creating the game “Project L”. Although Riot Games is focused directly on Valorant and League of Legends, the title is produced by Riot-owned Radiant Entertainment. Run by Tony and Tom Cannon, the brothers are highly regarded and respected in the fighting game community and have a reliable history behind them.

They were responsible for starting the EVO tournament. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious fighting game tournaments , attracting thousands of players from all over the world every year. In addition, the Cannon brothers developed middleware GGPO, a rollback system for fighting games that allows players to compete against another player online without worrying about lag or jitter. Rollback net code has become a staple of modern fighting games.

Additionally, legendary FGC members like Seth Killian were also involved at the beginning of Project L. Either way, it’s safe to assume that this game is in the hands of people who know and love fighting games.

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