Joe Marsh Talks Entering Riftbound and Grassroots Communities
T1 CEO Joe Marsh shares insights on their entry into the TCG world, specifically through Riftbound. The team signed Nick 'LS' De Cesare as its inaugural Riftbound signee, bringing a blend of competitive skill and passion for trading card games.
Marsh explains why they are investing heavily in Riftbound, combining the League of Legends lore with the collectability of TCGs. He also discusses how they plan to create competitive events at their T1 Base Camp facilities across South Korea. Keep reading to discover more about their vision for this emerging market.
Riot Games is taking steps towards making card games a serious contender, evidenced by partnerships like T1 and Gen.G hosting live Riftbound events as licensed runners. This move signals the potential for Riftbound to grow significantly in popularity.
Why T1 Chose Riftbound
According to Joe Marsh, 'TCGs have taken off in the West, and we want to help make Riftbound huge in South Korea too.' The combination of LS's early tournament success and his understanding of card game valuation made him an ideal fit for T1.
Riftbound aims to blend gaming lore with collectability, making it unique within the TCG market.Grassroots Community Growth
Marsh believes in organic growth through grassroots communities. 'We don’t need the same top 10 esports orgs taking over the scene,' he explains. 'TCGs will always be about community, and seeing independent teams compete alongside big names will be exciting.' T1 plans to become a local Riftbound distributor at their Base Camp locations.
T1 is investing in grassroots competition before worrying about large-scale spectator events.Building a Competitive Community
The World Skins crossover from T1’s 2025 Worlds championship will be integrated into Riftbound, as part of their strategy to appeal to both competitive players and collectors. Marsh notes that Riot approached them with the opportunity to include Worlds skins, which proved too good to pass up.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Riftbound become a mainstream esports title?
Riftbound is currently in its early stages and is focused on grassroots growth. Joe Marsh emphasizes that T1 wants to play a small role in making Riftbound as big as the community allows it to be.
Will Riftbound players get signed by traditional esports organizations?
T1 CEO Joe Marsh thinks the model will look different, highlighting the unique demands of TCG competitive events with fewer and less frequent events. 'Competitive success will come down to how well individual players can adapt,' he says.