The situation of 2XKO, the fighting game set in the universe of League of Legends, has taken an unexpected turn for Riot Games. After failing to meet high commercial and popularity expectations, the company underwent a restructuring that resulted in over 80 layoffs in its development team. However, Riot has issued a statement to assure the community that they have no plans to discontinue the title and that they will continue to release additional content in the coming months. Riot remains confident in 2XKO According to the announcement, 2XKO will focus on the gaming community […]
The situation of 2XKO, the fighting game set in the League of Legends universe, has taken an unexpected turn for Riot Games. After failing to meet high commercial and popularity expectations, the company underwent a restructuring that resulted in over 80 layoffs in its development team.
According to the announcement, 2XKO will focus on the existing fighting game community, rather than trying to attract a broader audience. According to Riot, “we are going to double down on our efforts to create content aimed at the members of the ‘fighting game community’ who love the genre.”
This approach includes the implementation of a local play duo mode, the promotion of a competitive environment, and balance adjustments to the game.
In addition, the arrival of two new characters to the game’s roster has been confirmed: Akali and Senna, both popular within the League of Legends community. Akali is expected to be included in the game at the beginning of the next season, while Senna should be incorporated shortly after.
Although these characters are well received, the lack of clarity regarding long-term plans for 2XKO has left players with doubts about the future of the season system and the arrival of new champions throughout the year.
As Riot Games embarks on this new approach for 2XKO, many are wondering not only about the immediate updates but also about their strategic plans for the coming years.Can Riot Games clarify their roadmap for the game in the future? Only time will tell.
Fighting games are one of the most particular genres of video games. They are undoubtedly niche, but they are treated as if they were still mainstream. Everyone wants them to appeal to the general public, but at the same time, they get furious if they are not basically esports designed to have high-level competitions around them. And in this constant contradiction of having to be treated like sports, but wanting to open up to the general public, is where they exist: never managing to break out of the big titles that have already attracted an audience for decades. Riot Games seems to want to be the one […]
Fighting games are one of the most unique genres in video gaming. They are undoubtedly niche, but they are treated as if they are still mainstream. Everyone wants them to appeal to the general public, but at the same time, they get furious if they are not basically esports designed to have high-level competitions around them. And in this constant contradiction of having to be treated like sports, but wanting to reach the public, is where they exist: never managing to break out of the big titles that have already attracted an audience for decades.
Riot Games seems to want to be the one to break this idea. To create a fighting game that is not only competitive but also introduces new players to the genre. And for that, it has the necessary keys. Characters with whom we already have a prior relationship, a competitive structure, and the money to make the game treated as a sport from the start. But is that enough for 2XKO to succeed?
A game that has a long history
Until we reached where we are today, with the game being launched, many things had to happen. To begin with, it had to be announced. That happened in 2019 and it was done under the name of Project L. Riot did not want to provide more details about what was happening with the game, except that it was being developed by its studios in Los Angeles, Sydney, and San Francisco.
For years, that was all we knew. At least, until February 22, 2024, when we learned two new things: that it would be a 2 vs. 2 game, where we can switch between characters at any time, and that its name would be much more alluring in English than in any other language: 2XKO.
Since its announcement until today, many things have happened. To begin with, the game was launched in early access in a closed beta by invitation on October 7, 2025. Harvesting great success among casual and specialized audiences, it managed to become the buzz of fighting games for a few weeks. So much so that, by the end of the year, it was nominated for the Best Fighting Game category at The Games Awards 2025 despite not having been officially released. An award that was ultimately won by Tekken 8.
Now 2XKO is officially out for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with a roster of 13 characters from famous characters of Runeterra, the universe of League of Legends, and the impressions are clear: there is potential for something big here.
The first reason is that Riot is behind it. They have money and they are going to use it, not by organizing the tournaments themselves, but by helping established tournament and competition organizers to create their own 2XKO competitions. This ensures that an organic competition for the game is created. Especially considering that Riot has already stated that it is not their intention to create a professional league for the game, as they did at one time with some of their other games, such as League of Legends.
The second reason is that it is a relatively accessible game. Although the tutorials are quite questionable, the assistance systems are excellent and allow for casual play in an easy and effective way. Since we add to that the fact that the game is free-to-play and has characters that are familiar to a wide audience, 2XKO has real potential to become a game that captivates many people outside of fighting games.
So, what problems do we find? It falls short in everything it wants to do. Its monetization is the classic Riot model, with costly cosmetics. The depth of the game is noticeably lower than that of other games on the market, raising the question of whether the ceiling will be too low to really interest professional fighting game players. And the jump from playing with assistance to playing without it is very harsh, and the tutorials do not help in this regard, not addressing the biggest concern that fighting games have: making players feel comfortable making the leap from novice to intermediate level.
Are these problems enough for 2XKO to fail? Only time will tell. Especially since they are conditional: we still don’t know how serious they are compared to how they appear on paper. What is clear is that, for now, it is a game with a potentially thriving competitive scene thanks to the money it will generate and a casual audience that can engage due to the ease of picking up the controller and feeling good playing with their favorite characters, even without knowing anything about fighting games. So, just for that reason, what is certain is that 2XKO will have a spectacular launch.
2XKO is a two-player fighting game that offers a unique competitive experience by combining combat mechanics with iconic characters from League of Legends. This title allows players to form teams of two and face off in intense battles, using special abilities and strategies to outsmart their opponents. Gameplay focuses on cooperation and coordination among team members, adding a layer of tactical depth to the fights.
Riot Games has launched the early access of 2XKO, a new fighting game that is already generating mixed reactions in the community. With the arrival of new playable content, such as additional characters and the introduction of ranked matches, many fans have received the title with enthusiasm. However, concerns about its monetization model have overshadowed the launch. Free to play, but with very expensive microtransactions 2XKO is a free to play game, which means its funding is based on in-game purchases, mainly cosmetics. However, the prices of these items have been […]
Riot Games has launched the early access of 2XKO, a new fighting game that is already generating mixed reactions in the community. With the arrival of new playable content, such as additional characters and the introduction of ranked matches, many fans have received the title with enthusiasm. However, concerns about its monetization model have overshadowed the launch.
Free to play, but with very expensive microtransactions
2XKO is a free-to-play game, which means its funding is based on in-game purchases, mainly cosmetics. However, the prices of these items have been the subject of criticism. The welcome packs, which include premium currency and access to characters, have caused widespread discontent, especially the most expensive pack, which costs 99.99 euros and locks three of the most desired skins, inspired by the popular series Arcane. The option to purchase cosmetics individually is not available, which has led the community to question Riot Games’ pricing policy.
Among the available items, legendary category skins are sold for 2000 KO Points, equivalent to 20 euros, and a battle pass is offered that ranges from 10 to 35 euros, depending on the level. Although it can be argued that these purchases are optional and that the focus on cosmetics is appealing, many players believe that the prices are high and that the variety of options is often confusing.
Criticism of Riot Games’ monetization has resurfaced, recalling the price increases in League of Legends in recent years, where some skins have reached up to 500 euros. With the community on alert, it is clear that Riot must pay attention to the concerns of its fans, especially with upcoming releases and events, such as the League of Legends World Championship.
Riot Games has released 2XKO, a 2D fighting game that allows fans of League of Legends to embody their most iconic characters. Currently, the game is in early access, allowing players to explore its mechanics and game modes. However, it is important to note that 2XKO requires an internet connection to play, which can be problematic in case of technical failures or interruptions in the network infrastructure. You can play even if you cannot connect to the servers Despite these limitations, the title offers […]
Riot Games has released 2XKO, a 2D fighting game that allows fans of League of Legends to embody their most iconic characters. Currently, the game is in early access, allowing players to explore its mechanics and game modes. However, it is important to note that 2XKO requires an Internet connection to play, which can be problematic in case of technical failures or interruptions in the network infrastructure.
You can play even if you can’t connect to the servers
Despite these limitations, the title offers a practice mode and a local mode that can be played offline. In these modes, players can face off against their friends or the artificial intelligence, but it is essential to emphasize that no new content will be unlocked nor will there be access to missions or challenges while the game is not connected to the servers.
To help players manage potential connection issues, Riot offers several tools to check the status of the 2XKO servers. Through the Riot Service Status page, users can stay informed about any problems affecting both 2XKO and its other titles, such as League of Legends and Valorant. Additionally, players can follow the official 2XKO account on the social network Twitter, where Riot posts updates and notices about general server outages.
In the context of gaming and its infrastructure, it is crucial for developers to focus on improving server stability, as an unstable connection can ruin the gaming experience, especially in a competitive title like 2XKO. Fans expect Riot to take the necessary measures to ensure smooth and uninterrupted gameplay in the near future.
The highly anticipated fighting game 2XKO from Riot Games will launch in early access on October 7. In a context where experimentation and innovation are key, the game’s director, Shaun Rivera, warns players about possible imperfections in this first phase. According to Rivera, the team aims to test new ideas, which may result in a somewhat bumpy start, characteristic of early access games. A game that will have obvious ups and downs. In a recent interview, Rivera expressed his willingness to take creative risks, acknowledging that some of the proposals might not […]
The highly anticipated fighting game 2XKO from Riot Games will launch in early access on October 7. In a context where experimentation and innovation are key, the game director, Shaun Rivera, warns players about possible imperfections in this first phase. According to Rivera, the team aims to test new ideas, which may result in a somewhat bumpy start, characteristic of early access games.
A game that will have obvious ups and downs
In a recent interview, Rivera expressed his willingness to take creative risks, acknowledging that some of the proposals may not be successful. “We are trying new things. Sometimes they will work and sometimes they won’t, but we have to be prepared for that,” said the director. This experimental approach is partly due to the fact that the team is developing champions from scratch, without reusing animations from previous fighting titles, which adds an additional layer of complexity to the development process.
Despite the excitement for the launch, some players have criticized the limited selection of playable characters available in the closed beta, where icons like Vi, Jinx, and Ekko can be found. Rivera assures that although the number of champions will be restricted at the beginning, they are working on incorporating more characters into the roster, something that could be well received by the gaming community that longs for greater diversity in the lineup.
2XKO will be launched as a free game in early access, offering gameplay options both solo and in duo, as well as the possibility to participate in ranked matches. With a solid foundation and many ideas in development, the team behind 2XKO is eager to receive feedback from players as they continue to refine their vision for the game.
Riot has officially launched its fighting game, 2XKO. Or at least, its closed beta. If you are one of the lucky ones who have gained access to it or know someone who could have given you access, congratulations. If not, we are sorry. Invitations will gradually circulate and it will become easier to join, allowing more people to get in. Because there is a lot to unpack after the first 24 hours of 2XKO. Including what they have aimed to do with this new fighting game. The first thing to clarify is what […]
Riot has officially launched its fighting game, 2XKO. Or at least, its closed beta. If you are one of the lucky ones who have gained access to it or know someone who could have given you access, congratulations. If not, we’re sorry. Invitations will gradually circulate, making it easier to join, allowing more people to get in. Because there is a lot to unpack after the first 24 hours of 2XKO. Including what they have aimed to achieve with this new fighting game.
First of all, it is important to clarify the most important thing: 2XKO focuses on the universe of Runeterra. Unlike Valorant, where they wanted to distance themselves from the universe of League of Legends, in 2XKO they have chosen to embrace all the work already done. Here are all the characters you already know and love from their other games, or from the fabulous Netflix series, Arcane, each with their personality intact in the form of spectacular fighting moves.
Because this is a fighting game and, moreover, it is quite unique. It is a Tag Team. This means that we do not fight with a single fighter, but with several, among which we alternate following certain rules. In the case of 2XKO, as its name suggests, the teams consist of two characters that we can customize to our liking.
2XKO is a two-player fighting game that offers a unique competitive experience by combining combat mechanics with iconic characters from League of Legends. This title allows players to form teams of two and face off in intense battles, using special abilities and strategies to outsmart their opponents. Gameplay focuses on cooperation and coordination among team members, adding a layer of tactical depth to the fights.
A fighting game that wants you to play your way
This is perhaps the most surprising aspect at first glance. The level of detail in customization. It’s not just that we can choose any character, as long as we have unlocked it, and form the team we want, but it also allows us to customize many aspects of it. The type of team attacks, the skins, and even the automation of certain movements and combos, which we can program to be executed automatically whenever a specific sequence of simple attacks is performed.
Although this may sound against the spirit of fighting games, it is a way to make it easier for new players in the genre to enter 2XKO. There is more depth in the game than it seems, with combo breaks, juggles, and various types of specials, and it can become overwhelming for many players. That’s why the option to execute certain specials at the end of specific sequences is a way to make it easier for less experienced fighting game players to enter without having to worry about all aspects of them. Especially because, at a certain point, they will discover the importance of diversifying when they launch their specials.
The concern for the novice and casual player makes the tutorial’s harshness quite strange. Long, offering us rewards for completing it and throwing endless technical terms at us in unclear ways, it is not always as explicit and straightforward as we would like. Although it is far from being the worst we have seen in the genre.
What reasons are there to play 2XKO?
On the other hand, those who are already into fighting games will have a lot to enjoy here. With a small roster, but full of personality, it’s impossible not to find two characters that fit your playstyle. The unlock system seems generous, but we’ll have to see how it evolves over time, because being a free-to-play game could become a serious problem. And while the game aims to be accessible for people who have never touched a fighting game, it has a rewarding layer of depth that will make hardcore players happy.
Is it deep enough or different enough for them to abandon their current fighting games? Honestly, it seems hard to believe. 2XKO has some interesting foundations, but it doesn’t seem to bring anything as interesting, new, or exciting to think, at first glance, that it will represent any kind of revolution in fighting games. At least not for now.
If Riot knows how to cultivate a competitive scene worth participating in, due to its prizes and community, and manages to attract a more casual audience to fighting games and get them hooked, 2XKO could be the big surprise of the decade in fighting games. And a much-needed breath of fresh air that the genre has been lacking for a long time. But achieving this will be very difficult, even for a company as influential as Riot Games. Even if they have a solid foundation, if they know how to play their cards right, they could achieve what once seemed impossible.
2XKO is a two-player fighting game that offers a unique competitive experience by combining combat mechanics with iconic characters from League of Legends. This title allows players to form teams of two and face off in intense battles, using special abilities and strategies to outsmart their opponents. Gameplay focuses on cooperation and coordination among team members, adding a layer of tactical depth to the fights.
Riot Games continues its expansion in the world of video games with the launch of the closed beta of 2XKO, a fighting game based on the popular universe of League of Legends. This title combines characteristic elements from iconic games like Marvel vs. Capcom, promising an experience that is both accessible for new players and challenging for veterans. Additionally, it is presented as a free-to-play proposal that follows the monetization model used in other titles from the company. A game made for everyone One of the most notable features of 2XKO is its simplification in gameplay, as […]
Riot Games continues its expansion in the world of video games with the launch of the closed beta of 2XKO, a fighting game based on the popular universe of League of Legends. This title combines characteristic elements of iconic games like Marvel vs. Capcom, promising an experience that is both accessible for new players and challenging for veterans. Additionally, it is presented as a free-to-play proposal that follows the monetization model used in other titles from the company.
A game made for everyone
One of the most notable features of 2XKO is its simplification in gameplay, by reducing attacks to just three modes and centralizing commands into a single button. This ensures that players, regardless of their skill level, can enjoy fluid and dynamic combat. Additionally, the option to play in pairs adds a strategic layer to the game, where the synergy between participants could make the difference between victory and defeat.
The champions of the game are well-developed and feature the voices of the actors from the Arcane series, which will allow fans of the Runeterra lore to feel more connected to the characters. This connection is further enhanced by a competitive system that includes daily missions, adding an element of engagement and excitement to the experience.
Despite the promises of a fair and balanced gaming system, some players are already expressing their concerns about the dynamics of duo games, which can be both positive and negative. The quality of the matches will largely depend on the cohesion between players, similar to the experience of competitive games like League of Legends.
2XKO presents itself as an interesting proposal in the world of fighting games, where Riot Games will attempt to compete with titans of the genre like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8, while seeking to create a unique experience that combines the passion for competition and the appeal of the League of Legends universe.
The development of 2XKO, the highly anticipated 2v2 fighting game from Riot Games based on the League of Legends universe, is progressing steadily, as the company announced that the playable closed beta will begin on September 9. This milestone marks a significant point in the project that was initially presented six years ago as Project L, but had been under a veil of secrecy for a long time. A closed beta that will be playable very soon Recently, Riot shared a gameplay preview that includes the new character Vi, who will be one of the fighters […]
The development of 2XKO, the highly anticipated 2v2 fighting game from Riot Games based on the League of Legends universe, is progressing steadily, as the company announced that the playable closed beta will begin on September 9. This milestone marks a significant point in the project that, six years ago, was initially presented as Project L, but had been shrouded in secrecy for a long time.
A closed beta that will be playable very soon
Recently, Riot shared a gameplay preview that includes the new character Vi, who will be one of the fighters available during the beta and also at the EVO 2025 event, which will take place from August 1 to 3 in Las Vegas. The game’s presence at EVO promises to generate great interest among fighting game fans, offering players the opportunity to try it out at the Riot booth.
According to Tom Cannon, executive producer of the game, the closed beta represents the beginning of the testing phase to make improvements to the “backend systems”. Still, he warned that players may experience some initial setbacks. All those who participated in previous alpha tests will receive automatic invitations, along with a number of new players who will join in later waves.
On the other hand, although Riot had previously mentioned that the release date for 2XKO was scheduled for 2025, this text was recently removed from the official site. This suggests that the date could change due to delays in game testing, which is not unexpected within the realm of video game development. Those interested in joining the closed beta can register through the game’s website.
Riot Games has announced the launch of a closed beta for 2XKO, its highly anticipated team fighting game set in the League of Legends universe, which has been in development since 2019. The beta will begin on September 9 for PC players, and versions for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 will join later. With this chaotic gameplay, fans will finally be able to dive into battles with iconic characters from the acclaimed MOBA, generating great excitement among the gaming community. The guaranteed success of being part of LoL During this testing phase, players will be able to choose […]
Riot Games has announced the launch of a closed beta for 2XKO, its highly anticipated team fighting game set in the League of Legends universe, which has been in development since 2019. The beta will begin on September 9 for PC players, and versions for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 will join later. With this chaotic gameplay, fans will finally be able to dive into battles with iconic characters from the acclaimed MOBA, generating great excitement among the gaming community.
The guaranteed success of being part of LoL
During this testing phase, players will be able to choose from a total of 8 champions, including Vi, the charismatic fighter who is also one of the standout characters from the Arcane series. This addition offers more variety in the types of fighters available, which has been a key point in the promotion of the game. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that those who participated in the previous Alpha Lab tests will be automatically registered for the closed beta, while new interested players can sign up on the official Riot Games website.
A notable feature of 2XKO is its cross-progress functionality, which will allow players to transfer their progress between different platforms seamlessly. This decision demonstrates Riot Games’ commitment to the community and its desire to provide a smooth experience. With the closed beta servers active until the final launch of the game, Riot will have the opportunity to gather feedback and adjust any aspect of the game before its official debut.
Finally, there is the possibility, although unconfirmed, that 2XKO will come to Nintendo Switch 2 in the near future, which could open new opportunities for access to this innovative title. The closed beta represents an important step towards the launch of a game that promises to revitalize the fighting genre in the realm of video games.
Riot Games ha estado trabajando en otro juego de lucha antes de 2XKO, uno al estilo Super Smash Bros, pero por lo visto, fue cancelado hace tiempo.
Riot Games achieved fame, success, and money with League of Legends. But they were never satisfied with that. TFT showed that they were capable of competing in more markets. Valorant showed that they could excel even in those markets that were already saturated. And while it’s true that Legends of Runeterra was a stumble, proving unable to compete with games like Hearthstone or Magic: The Gathering, that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to navigate between genres. And it doesn’t mean they haven’t learned to be cautious over time.
According to what we’ve learned through the reporter Mikhail Klimentov, there was a moment when Riot Games was working on a platform fighting game in the style of Super Smash Bros. A prototype was created, and they had assigned between 70 and 80 developers for the project. This means that it was at a very advanced stage of the project. And we speak in past-tense because, unfortunately, the game was canceled.
The reason for this title’s cancellation was none other than the success of MultiVersus. Seeing the success that the Warner Bros. game was having, Riot executives were not convinced that there was as much appetite among players for another alternative to the popular Nintendo franchise. That’s why they decided to close the project, even in such an advanced state, considering Riot Games is always working on several games at once. It doesn’t represent a serious loss for the studio.
Fortunately, this did not result in a round of layoffs. Half the team was offered reassignment within the studio, while the other half was considered for internal roles. This is not usually the case when a video game is canceled.
This means that, as far as we know, the only fighting game being developed by Riot Games is 2XKO. A 2v2 team fighting game that’ll be coming soon to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, though we still don’t have a release date. We assume it should arrive at some point in 2025.
