Last October, I described Riot's League of Legends-based card battle "Legends of Runeterra" as "similar to Hearthstone and Artifact." Some lucky followers have been able to try out the game in previous "preview patches," but an open beta will begin on January 24, allowing anyone to play the game.

The open beta release will include a variety of new features, including friend lists, a "Challenge a Friend" feature, ranked play, new boards and guardians, updates to over 20 cards, and more. The first "Legend of Runeterra" ranked play season will also begin, described as a "beta season" that will last until this release. Existing preview patch accounts will be reset, but Riot emphasizes that there will be no further resets once the open beta begins.

The open beta for Legends of Luneterra will begin on January 24 at 11:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET. (Players who play during the open beta will also receive the Moonstruck Poro Guardian when Legends of Runeterra goes live later this year. More details on the changes that will be made during the open beta will be included in a patch note to be released on January 22 at 11:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET.