TL;DR
- Riot Games confirmed fighting game development at EVO 2019 through Tom Cannon
- Project originated from Radiant Entertainment team after Rising Thunder cancellation
- Game represents Riot’s third major title following League of Legends
- No immediate release expected despite confirmed development progress
- Connection to League of Legends universe remains unconfirmed
The gaming world received major news when Riot Games, renowned for League of Legends, formally declared their entry into the fighting game arena. This announcement marked a significant expansion beyond their MOBA dominance into competitive fighting genres.
During EVO 2019’s opening day festivities, Tom Cannon—both a Riot employee and Evolution Championship Series founder—made the groundbreaking revelation during a public panel discussion. His dual role lent substantial credibility to the announcement within fighting game communities.
“When we merged with Riot back in 2016, I indicated we’d enter a development phase with limited visibility,” Cannon explained to attendees. “Now I can finally disclose what might be gaming’s most poorly concealed secret: we’re actively developing a fighting game project for Riot.”
Beyond the basic confirmation, event organizers noted the strategic timing aligned perfectly with fighting game community gatherings. For those exploring competitive gaming mechanics, our Class Guide offers valuable insights into character specialization strategies.
Brothers Tom and Tony Cannon became part of Riot Games in 2016 following the studio’s acquisition of their previous venture, Radiant Entertainment. This corporate move brought experienced fighting game developers into Riot’s ecosystem.
Prior to the acquisition, Radiant Entertainment had been developing Rising Thunder, an innovative free-to-play fighting title. Although that specific project was discontinued post-acquisition, the Cannon brothers strongly suggested their development team would continue working on related concepts.
“The original Rising Thunder development group will transition to creating a new project that generates tremendous excitement internally,” the brothers stated at the time. “While we cannot share additional details currently, be assured that information will emerge when appropriate.”
The transition period between projects typically involves significant retooling and concept refinement. Developers often face challenges adapting existing mechanics to new intellectual property frameworks while maintaining core gameplay integrity.
Specific details about the fighting game remain scarce following the initial announcement. The central question of whether it will connect to League of Legends mythology or establish completely original worldbuilding remains unanswered.
Regardless of its narrative direction, this project represents only the third game developed by Riot, following their flagship MOBA and the board game Mechs vs. Minions. This limited portfolio highlights Riot’s selective approach to game development.
“I’m not suggesting the game will launch imminently, but we definitely believe we’re advancing meaningfully,” Cannon clarified during his presentation.
Industry analysts suggest the game might incorporate mechanics from Rising Thunder, particularly its approach to accessibility for new fighting game players. Understanding fundamental game mechanics is crucial, which is why our Complete Guide provides comprehensive system explanations.
The long-awaited revelation of this “worst kept secret” finally arrived, though Tom Cannon cautioned against anticipating rapid project visibility. The development cycle for competitive fighting games typically spans multiple years from announcement to release.
League of Legends enthusiasts currently possess minimal concrete information, though they can legitimately begin cultivating anticipation for the eventual release.
Based on typical AAA development timelines and Riot’s quality standards, industry observers project a 2-3 year development period post-announcement. This aligns with Cannon’s emphasis on gradual progress rather than imminent release.
For players interested in weapon systems that might influence fighting game mechanics, our Weapons Unlock guide explores progression mechanics that could translate to character unlock systems.
Action Checklist
- Follow official Riot Games social channels for development updates
- Monitor Evolution Championship Series events for potential gameplay reveals
- Research Radiant Entertainment’s Rising Thunder for potential mechanic insights
- Join fighting game community discussions to track rumor verification
- Analyze League of Legends character designs for potential fighting game adaptations
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Riot Games announces upcoming fighting game at Evo 2019 Riot Games officially announces fighting game development with insights on timeline and team background