Riot’s 2XKO Launch: Premature and Costly

2XKO's developers acknowledged potential drawbacks of announcing the game prematurely, while emphasizing the importance of player feedback during development. Discover more about the game's extended development cycle and its position in the tag-fighting genre.

2XKO's Development Journey and Approaching Closed Beta

Gauging Community Response

Developers openly discussed the trade-offs of unveiling 2XKO in its current state, stressing how crucial player reactions were for inspiration. During EVO 2025, Executive Producer Tom Cannon and Game Director Shaun Rivera reflected on whether the reveal came too soon.

The game's roots trace back to 2016 when Riot acquired Radiant Entertainment, creators of Rising Thunder. Originally announced as "Project L" during Riot's 10th anniversary, the game transitioned from a 1v1 fighter to its current 2v2 format during development.

After initial silence, 2023 brought significant updates including the rebrand to 2XKO and confirmation of its tag-team mechanics. While praised for transparency through alpha tests and updates, fans have grown increasingly eager for the full release after nine years of anticipation.

Cannon acknowledged the challenges of early reveals but emphasized how player reactions motivated innovation. He noted initial lukewarm responses pushed the team to refine the game further, aiming for a more exciting experience.

Rivera framed their transparency as a strength, acknowledging Riot's relative inexperience in fighting games. The team recognizes player concerns about development length, especially given the pedigree from Radiant Entertainment and the Cannon Brothers' involvement.

Rivera added, "With the League IP's popularity and our team's expertise, expectations are naturally high. Our focus remains improving the game through continuous player testing."

Approaching Closed Beta Phase

The September 9, 2025 Closed Beta announcement marks a major milestone, bringing the first widespread testing opportunity outside live events. Lead Champion Designer Alex Jaffe shared his enthusiasm about finally letting players experience the game.

Jaffe detailed significant adjustments based on Alpha Lab feedback, including combat pacing, combo accessibility, damage scaling, and healing mechanics. These refinements aim to create a balanced yet exciting competitive experience.

Evolving Tag-Fighting Landscape

Amid a growing field of tag-fighters, Jaffe expressed excitement about genre evolution. "We welcome different interpretations of tag mechanics from games like Marvel Tōkon and Hunter x Hunter Nen Impact," he said, highlighting the genre's expanding diversity.

While no firm release date exists beyond the planned 2025 window, anticipation grows for the PC Closed Beta. The game will eventually launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Riot's client.