Riftbound' Launches in Korea with Showcase at GGX

Riot Introduces Game Features and Introductory Products for Korean Edition

'Riftbound' Launches in Korea with Showcase at GGX

Byungho "Haao" Kim [email protected] Sep 17, 2026 Korean (한국어) KO Add us on

On September 18, Riot Games held the Korean launch showcase for its physical trading card game (TCG) 'Riftbound' at GGX in Dongdaemun, Seoul. Marking the official release of 'Origins,' the first set in Korean, Riot introduced the game's core features, introductory products, local play environments, and competitive programs.

Attending the event as speakers were Chengran Chai, Executive Producer for Riftbound at Riot Games; Rachel Unruh, Director of Global Publishing for Riftbound; and Lee Ji-soo, Head of Publishing Strategy & Operations at Riot Games Korea. Shin Byung-yoon, APAC OP Lead at Riot Games, also joined the subsequent media Q&A session.

'Riftbound' is a physical card game for 2 to 4 players set in the 'League of Legends' universe. Players build decks by combining champions and cards, competing to control battlefields and reach the winning score first. Strategic decision-making—predicting opponent moves to position units and playing cards at opportune moments—is key.

Executive Producer Chai introduced 'Riftbound' as an independent card game featuring its own distinct strategies and rules. While embedding the unique personalities of familiar champions into card and deck playstyles, he emphasized the in-person social experience of reading an opponent's choices at the same table and discussing tactics after the game.

A new Overnumber card, 'Ahri, Nine-Tailed Fox,' was also introduced to commemorate the Korean launch. Featuring artwork that pays homage to Hanbok Ahri, the card has a chance to drop from Korean 'Origins' booster packs alongside the existing Ahri Overnumber card. Executive Producer Chengran Chai explained that Ahri—whose lore originates from the Korean nine-tailed fox legend and whose name was decided through a vote by Korean players—is a champion with a special connection to Korean fans.

As an example demonstrating the connection with Korean esports fans, the "Riftbound x 2025 World Champion T1 Signature Edition" was introduced. Following the limited-edition collection commemorating T1's victory and three consecutive World Championship titles, Riot also planned a T1 Player Bundle to allow more fans to collect the cards and use them in actual decks.

Global Publishing Director Unruh explained the product lineup based on entry levels. The 'Origins' Champion Decks consist of three pre-constructed decks centered on Jinx, Lee Sin, and Viktor, allowing players to jump straight into play without gathering cards to build a deck. 'Proving Grounds' includes four introductory decks—Annie, Garen, Master Yi, and Lux—making it ideal for learning and playing the game with friends.

For players looking to collect cards or expand their decks, booster packs are available in two options: 5-card and 14-card packs. At the Korean launch celebration pop-up stores, visitors can purchase products like Champion Decks, 'Proving Grounds,' and booster packs, as well as learn how to play the game.

Head of Publishing Strategy & Operations Lee Ji-soo presented three core directions for domestic operations: expanding player-centric offline experiences, building a structured competitive ecosystem, and providing tailored content for Korean players. Riot plans to collaborate with specialized TCG local game stores to support spaces for learning and playing, as well as hold regular trial events for beginners.

The play environment will also expand into spaces familiar to Korean gamers, such as PC bangs. A dedicated area for playing 'Riftbound' will be set up at GGX, and partnerships with key PC bang locations will expand opportunities for players to experience the physical card game.

The competitive program is designed to create a progression path starting from small-scale in-store tournaments up to higher-tier competitions and international stages. During the Q&A, Riot explained that for the Korea Major, in addition to qualifiers from store preliminaries, general applicants will also be recruited, with a lottery system being considered for the general registration process.

Following the presentation, the Q&A session addressed questions regarding differences from 'Legends of Runeterra,' reasons for choosing a physical TCG format, and release schedules for subsequent sets. The developers emphasized the tactile strategy of moving cards on a table, mind games based on reading opponents' reactions, and the joy of collecting and in-person interaction. They stated that the goal for future sets is to align release schedules so Korean players can experience them at the same time as other regions.

The launch celebration pop-ups will run at GGX from September 18 to 23, and at Dopamine Station on the 3rd floor of Living Park, IPARK Mall Yongsan Branch, from September 18 to 30. Both venues will feature product sales and programs for learning how to play, with rewards such as promotional cards available depending on participation conditions. Following the presentations and Q&A, the showcase also included a hands-on trial session for attending media.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated with the help of AI. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. [Read Original]

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Byungho "Haao" Kim

[email protected]