Riot Games has officially released its fighting game and it is exactly what we expected, but also less than we wished for

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.

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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 is getting serious: from now on, if you get banned, you will be banned from all their games at the same time

Riot Games has made a drastic decision by severely sanctioning the Brazilian streamer Yiok, banning him from accessing all of the company’s games due to violations of its new conduct policies. This measure represents an important precedent in the fight against toxicity in gaming communities, an aspect that Riot has approached with some reluctance in the past. A drastic but necessary measure. Until now, the developer had been known for its relatively permissive approach to inappropriate behavior, but Yiok’s case marks a significant turn. He was the first to be sanctioned under the […]

Riot Games has made a drastic decision to severely sanction the Brazilian streamer Yiok, banning him from accessing all of the company’s games due to violations of its new conduct policies. This measure represents an important precedent in the fight against toxicity in video game communities, an aspect that Riot has addressed with some reluctance in the past.

A drastic but necessary measure

Until now, the developer had been known for its relatively permissive approach to inappropriate behavior, but the Yiok case marks a significant turn. He was the first to be sanctioned under the recent update of the terms of service, which came into effect at the end of 2024. These terms punish improper behavior by content creators during live broadcasts, meaning that the streamer has not only been banned from League of Legends, but his sanction extends to other titles like Valorant and future releases.

Yiok was reported for repeated use of offensive language and threats of violence, even declaring that he would “storm the headquarters” of Riot Games. This type of behavior provoked a strong reaction from the company, which has emphasized that problematic behavior in a game can result in penalties applicable to all products in its catalog.

The response to the sanction has been mostly positive from the gaming community, which considers the action necessary to maintain a healthy and toxicity-free environment. Riot Games’ decision aligns with its recent efforts to control misconduct within its platforms, suggesting that the company is beginning to take the issue of toxicity in its games more seriously.

At a time when the video game industry is increasingly aware of the need for a respectful environment, the strong action against Yiok marks a step that many considered necessary in the evolution of Riot Games’ conduct policies.

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G2 Esports breaks the five-year losing streak and reaches the quarter-finals of the LoL World Championship

After several years of disappointments in the League of Legends World Championship, European fans have reasons to celebrate. G2 Esports has qualified for the quarter-finals of Worlds 2025 after a convincing victory over FlyQuest in the fourth round of the Swiss stage. This triumph not only marks a milestone in the club’s history, ending the worst streak of results in its participation in the championship, but also revives hope in the performance of the European region, which had failed to reach the playoffs in the previous two editions. […]

After several years of disappointments in the League of Legends World Championship, European fans have reasons to celebrate. G2 Esports has qualified for the quarter-finals of Worlds 2025 after a convincing victory over FlyQuest in the fourth round of the Swiss stage. This triumph not only marks a milestone in the club’s history, ending the worst streak of results in its championship participation, but also revives hope in the performance of the European region, which had failed to reach the playoffs in the previous two editions.

The triumph finally arrives again

The last time G2 reached this stage of the tournament was in 2020, when they made it to the semifinals, being eliminated by Damwon Gaming. Since then, the team has faced various setbacks in the group stage, and the pressure on them was palpable. By achieving a record of three wins and one loss in the Swiss stage, G2 Esports has put behind a five-year drought without advancing in the World Championship, bringing renewed confidence to their fans.

The success of G2 Esports also means the end of Europe’s bad moment at the Worlds. While the region had previously had a solid track record, with only one group stage elimination in the first twelve world championships, the last two editions have been discouraging. With their advancement to the quarter-finals, G2 has given a breath of fresh air to their fans, who were hoping for a noticeable improvement in their performance.

As the group stage continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the matchups will be defined in the upcoming draw for the quarter-finals. Teams like T1 and Movistar KOI still need to complete their rounds, which promises more excitement in this decisive stage of the championship. Expectations are cautious, but G2’s return to the competition could be a determining factor in the future of the region in this prestigious tournament.

If a game seems very difficult to you, science has a way for you to get through it and it's not by insisting like an animal

The pause in video games, scientifically known as the “incubation effect,” has gained recognition for its positive impact on problem-solving. This notion, which has been studied for 99 years, suggests that taking a break after encountering an obstacle can facilitate victory, a phenomenon that many players have experienced in their own games. A well-studied effect whose effectiveness is more than proven. A recent analysis of player experiences in challenging titles like Hollow Knight and Nine Sols highlights how brief pauses can be decisive. The author recalls a frustrating encounter with the […]

The pause in video games, scientifically known as “incubation effect,” has gained recognition for its positive impact on problem-solving. This notion, which has been studied for 99 years, suggests that taking a break after encountering an obstacle can facilitate victory, a phenomenon that many players have experienced in their own games.

A well-studied effect whose effectiveness is more than proven

A recent analysis of player experiences in challenging titles like Hollow Knight and Nine Sols highlights how brief breaks can be decisive. The author recalls a frustrating encounter with the boss Groal the Great in Hollow Knight, which was quickly overcome after a break to make coffee. This aligns with studies indicating that players who take breaks have a 3% higher chance of winning in their next game of League of Legends if they take some time after losing.

Research has suggested that breaks allow players to forget inappropriate solutions, mentally restructure the problem, and activate previously forgotten knowledge. This is evidenced in a study with “Physics Playground,” where players who faced obstacles and took breaks were able to complete levels with the same effectiveness as those who never encountered blockages.

Science has shown that the “incubation effect,” coined by psychologist Graham Wallas in 1926, could be the explanation behind these experiences. Although a more thorough study is needed to establish a definitive correlation with video games, there are enough indications to consider that breaks are an effective strategy. The gaming community has begun to accept that sometimes, a breather is key to success in facing the toughest challenges.

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League of Legends introduces an important change and its fans are completely against it

Riot Games has made a controversial decision by introducing the option to move with the WASD keys in its iconic title, League of Legends. This significant change comes after 16 years of using the traditional point-and-click system, and aims to facilitate the entry of new players into the game, removing barriers to access and increasing accessibility. However, many in the community have reacted negatively to this proposal. Totally against moving with WASD According to executive producer Paul Bellezza, the goal of this new functionality is to allow new players to […]

Riot Games has made a controversial decision by introducing the option to move with the WASD keys in its iconic title, League of Legends. This significant change comes after 16 years of using the traditional point-and-click system, and aims to make it easier for new players to enter the game, removing barriers to access and increasing accessibility. However, many in the community have reacted negatively to this proposal.

Totally against moving with WASD

According to executive producer Paul Bellezza, the goal of this new feature is to allow new players to access the world of League of Legends more quickly and with less frustration. This option is not expected to replace the original control, as Riot has emphasized that they seek to maintain a balance so that no player is forced to change their playstyle to remain competitive. Darcy Ludington, another producer, has assured that both newcomers and professionals have tested the system, which will initially be launched on the PBE test server to refine any possible errors before its general implementation.

Despite the focus on accessibility, the community’s response has been predominantly negative. Veteran players have expressed their concerns about a possible imbalance in competition, citing similar experiences in shooters that use mixed keyboard and controller controls. Moreover, some critics argue that this new method could decrease the skill level required to perform actions like kiting, which would alter the competitive essence that characterizes the game. Some have even labeled the decision as a “monumental mistake.”

In the upcoming patches, this option is expected to be part of the tests on the PBE, scheduled for September, which will allow the community to experience this controversial novelty firsthand. As this date approaches, the debate over the incorporation of WASD will continue to divide opinions between those who see this change as an opportunity to attract players and those who fear the loss of the identity of League of Legends.

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This fighting game from the League of Legends universe is going to be a hit, and you can already try its beta

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 […]

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.

The heat also arrives in League of Legends and its skins, and with them a secret that you surely didn't know

With the arrival of summer and high temperatures, many look for ways to cool off, and what better way to do it than with a good splash. This season is not only experienced outside of video games; the champions of League of Legends also adapt to the season with special skins that evoke the festive beach atmosphere. These summer skins, which include swimsuits, bikinis, and even water guns, offer players a new way to enjoy their favorite characters. You give me cream, I give you cream The pool series skins are an aesthetic addition […]

With the arrival of summer and high temperatures, many seek ways to cool off, and what better way to do it than with a good splash. This season is not only experienced outside of video games; League of Legends champions also adapt to the season with special skins that evoke the festive beach atmosphere. These summer skins, which include swimsuits, bikinis, and even water guns, offer players a new way to enjoy their favorite characters.

You give me cream, I give you cream

The pool party skins are an aesthetic addition that do not alter the mechanics of the game, but allow players to customize their experience. However, these festive themes are not just a matter of aesthetics. By gathering five players on the same team, all with pool party skins, it is possible to activate a curious easter egg in the Summoner’s Rift.

This secret consists of the appearance of a rubber duck in the central river, which explodes when a player approaches or after the arrival of the first enemies. Although its impact on the game is null, it adds a touch of fun and humor before the action begins. However, getting all team members to wear the same summer skin can be complicated, as not all players have access to certain skins or simply prefer other champions.

Despite these challenges, the moment of discovering this little duck can bring laughter and a breath of fresh air to the tension of the battlefield. In addition to the remarkable coincidence, this detail marks a effort by Riot Games to maintain fun and entertainment in the game, highlighting that in League of Legends, even in summer, there is always room for comedy.

Imagine playing a game like League of Legends where all the characters were ships, well now you can!

The game Sirocco, which was recently launched in early access on Steam, represents an evolution of the Warcraft 3 mod known as Battleships. In this new MOBA, players control ships in aquatic mazes, participating in intense battles where the cannons fire automatically, allowing players to focus on position management and strategy rather than on last-hitting or rigid role selections, common features in other MOBAs like Dota 2 and League of Legends. An interesting premise with some execution issues, Sirocco mimics the original Battleships game but offers a […]

The game Sirocco, which was recently launched in early access on Steam, represents an evolution of the Warcraft 3 mod known as Battleships. In this new MOBA, players control ships in aquatic mazes, engaging in intense battles where the cannons fire automatically, allowing players to focus on positioning and strategy instead of last-hitting or rigid role selections, common features in other MOBAs like Dota 2 and League of Legends.

An interesting premise with some execution problems

Sirocco blends in with the original game of Battleships, but offers a more polished experience with enhanced visuals and more precise controls. The title promises less restrictive gameplay, where the variety of ships, cannons, and unique abilities encourages diverse strategic setups. For example, weapons like the Over Clocker speed up reload times, and the Death Bomb ability inflicts disproportionate damage when the ship’s health is low, increasing the intensity of team fights from the start of the game.

Despite some reported performance issues, Sirocco’s premise of eliminating legacy mechanics is being well received, quickly capturing players looking for a chaotic and entertaining experience. As mentioned, this approach promises a sense of “creativity as a goal,” although this promise may be somewhat optimistic. In the competitive environment, tier lists are likely to emerge, something common in the evolution of MOBA games.

In summary, Sirocco presents itself as a refreshing addition to the genre, capitalizing on the modding legacy of Warcraft 3 and offering a game that can attract both veterans and new players. Available for free on Steam, its appeal lies in the combat dynamics it provides, heralding a promising future in the video game scene.

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Heroes of the Storm might be less dead than we think

The player community of Heroes of the Storm is showing renewed enthusiasm for a possible return of the game, despite Blizzard Entertainment stating that the title is in maintenance mode. Since the lack of significant new heroes since 2020, the developers have kept the game with regular patches aimed at balancing the experience and sustaining an active player base. Faith is the last thing to be lost The recent cinematic teaser from BlizzCon, announcing the return of the event in 2026, has sparked hope among fans, generating a torrent of comments […]

The community of Heroes of the Storm players is showing renewed enthusiasm for a possible return of the game, despite Blizzard Entertainment stating that the title is in maintenance mode. Since the lack of significant new heroes since 2020, the developers have kept the game with regular patches aimed at balancing the experience and sustaining an active player base.

Faith is the last thing to be lost

The recent cinematic teaser from BlizzCon, announcing the return of the event in 2026, has sparked hope among fans, generating a torrent of comments on social media and forums. Some players have not hesitated to express their longing to see Heroes of the Storm rise again, while others are more realistic, suggesting that there probably won’t be any significant announcements regarding the game at the convention.

Although there are no guarantees of an official revival, discussions on Reddit reflect a vibrant sense of community. The HotS subreddit has seen lively debates about the future of the game, with various users reminiscing about the accessibility and speed of matches that set it apart from other more complex MOBAs, such as Dota 2 and League of Legends.

The community does not just wait: many players highlight the quality of the game and recommend new users to join the ranks of HotS. With gameplay that offers fast and exciting team battles, the faithful have kept the flame of the title alive, although the reality is that the game could fade over time without the support of expansions or new content.

In this context, Heroes of the Storm continues to find its place as a unique MOBA that captivates players looking for immediate action in short matches, without the complexities of other titles in the genre. The community continues to show its loyalty, although the future of the game remains uncertain.

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The strategy of Teamfight Tactics to retain its players

Teamfight Tactics, considered the biggest strategy game for PC in the world, has adopted an unusual philosophy regarding player exit from the game. Peter Whalen, the game director at Riot Games, has stated that it is completely acceptable for players to leave TFT from time to time, as their design approach is based on the premise that sooner or later they will return. This cyclical strategy contrasts with common practices in the industry, where most games employ mechanics like daily missions and progression systems to keep players engaged in the long term […]

Teamfight Tactics, considered the biggest strategy game for PC in the world, has adopted an unusual philosophy regarding player departures from the game. Peter Whalen, the game director at Riot Games, has stated that it is completely acceptable for players to leave TFT from time to time, as their design approach is based on the premise that sooner or later they will return. This cyclical strategy contrasts with common practices in the industry, where most games employ mechanics like daily missions and progression systems to keep players engaged in the long term, but that is not the case here.

You are going to come back, and you know it

Whalen argues that these techniques tend to reduce the overall audience, concentrating participation in a more restricted group of players. In his opinion, it is vital for game designers to take into account that players have a limited time to interact with the title, which leads to the inevitable rotation of users. For this reason, Riot Games has decided to focus not only on retaining players but also on creating great moments that encourage them to return.

To achieve this, TFT must ensure that players have a rewarding experience upon their return. This means that the game must combine familiarity with new elements, preventing users from feeling that their time away has left them at a disadvantage. Whalen emphasizes that the key is to design a fair gaming environment, where accounts are not negatively affected by the absence of players.

Despite the fact that player retention is a valid goal, for TFT, short-term merits are not the only measure of success. Design decisions are aimed at building trust with players, which could foster more sustainable long-term engagement, aligning the incentives of developers and users. Based on these considerations, TFT positions itself as an innovative example in the development of strategic video games.