Project L development update: No 2021 release but major news coming
Project L Development Timeline
Tom Cannon, lead developer of Project L, has confirmed that Riot Games’ highly anticipated League of Legends fighting game won’t be launching in 2021. This announcement comes as a disappointment to fans eagerly awaiting the title’s release.
The development team has made significant progress on Project L, with many core systems now functional, but the game remains in early development stages with no immediate plans for public testing.
First unveiled at EVO 2019, Project L represents Riot’s ambitious entry into the fighting game genre. The initial reveal showed promise but made clear the project was in its infancy. At Riot’s 10-year anniversary celebration later that year, Cannon emphasized the game wasn’t close to alpha stage.
Fast forward to May 2021, Cannon provided a development update via Twitter, stating: “The game is on track with many core systems in place, but we still have a ways to go.” This suggests the team has overcome initial technical hurdles but needs more time for polish and content creation.
What This Means for Players
Cannon’s announcement makes clear that players shouldn’t anticipate any form of beta test in the near future. This includes both closed technical tests and public trials, which are common in Riot’s development cycle for other titles.
The development team plans to share a comprehensive update around the end of 2021, though no specific date has been set. This suggests fans might see gameplay footage, character reveals, or system breakdowns before year’s end.
For competitive players eyeing Project L, this timeline indicates they’ll need to wait until at least 2022 for hands-on experience. However, the extended development period could result in a more polished final product with deeper mechanics.
Pro tip: Follow Tom Cannon (@ProtomCannon) on Twitter for direct updates, and watch EVO tournament streams for potential surprise reveals, as Riot has used this platform for announcements in the past.
Riot’s Track Record with New Genres
Riot Games has demonstrated remarkable success when expanding into new game genres. Valorant, their tactical FPS released in 2020, quickly established itself as a major esports title despite being Riot’s first shooter.
This track record suggests Project L could make a significant impact in the fighting game community when it eventually launches.
Common mistake: Don’t assume Project L will follow Valorant’s rapid development timeline. Fighting games require different technical considerations and balancing approaches than FPS titles.
Optimization tip: While waiting for Project L, consider practicing fundamentals in existing fighting games like Street Fighter V or Guilty Gear -Strive- to build transferable skills.
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