A new trading card game based on Cyberpunk 2077 drew massive crowds at PAX East 2026 and quickly became the most-funded game campaign on Kickstarter. Attendees flocked to demos of the game alongside other TCGs like Riot Games' Riftbound from the League of Legends universe. The buzz highlights a surge in interest for trading card games at the convention.
At PAX East 2026, the Cyberpunk 2077 TCG made its first major public appearance, attracting excited fans who packed tables for introductory games. Visitors gawked at the cards and played matches adapting elements from the video game, such as programs, gigs, and legends, into tabletop mechanics. Within days of the event, its Kickstarter campaign shattered records as the highest-funded game on the platform ever. TCG content creator Amy “Amazonian” Demicco attributed part of the success to its ties to a major IP, saying, “As someone who has been burned by Kickstarter games never shipping out physical products, I think that part of the success of this fundraising is that it’s tied to a major IP and company, so it’s more likely to deliver.” She noted the appeal of seeing a playable prototype on-site contrasted with past crowdfunding disappointments. Demicco also pointed to a variety of TCGs fueling the hype, including scalpers reselling marked-up packs like Magic: The Gathering's Edge of Eternities set. Riot Games' recently released Riftbound, set in the League of Legends world, hosted packed 32-player learn-to-play sessions and Sealed drafts. Developer Nala Wu, new to TCGs after discovering League champion Renata Glasc, joined a demo and built a deck around the character. Despite the excitement, Demicco emphasized Magic: The Gathering's dominance, driven by IP crossovers that draw new players. Wu observed fewer major video game companies in the expo hall, creating space for TCGs to shine through the weekend.
