Riot\'s 2XKO Reveal Came Too Soon, Had Cost

The developers of 2XKO acknowledged that revealing the game prematurely came with challenges. Discover insights from the team about the prolonged development cycle and the evolving competitive tag-fighting genre.

Behind 2XKO's Extended Development and Approaching Beta Phase

The Value of Community Feedback

The 2XKO team recognized the risks of showcasing an unfinished product but emphasized the importance of gathering player responses to fuel development. During EVO 2025, Executive Producer Tom Cannon and Game Director Shaun Rivera discussed whether unveiling the project prematurely was justified.

2XKO traces its roots to Riot Games' 2016 acquisition of Radiant Entertainment, creators of the celebrated Rising Thunder. Originally teased as "Project L" during Riot's 10th anniversary celebration, the game was initially conceived as a traditional 1v1 fighting experience.

The project remained quiet until 2023, when Rift Games rebranded it as 2XKO and transformed it into a 2v2 tag-team fighter. Periodic updates and alpha tests since then have continuously refined the game's core mechanics.

While players appreciate the transparency through regular updates, many express frustration over the lengthy development—nine years since initial awareness—questioning the reasons behind the prolonged timeline.

Cannon admitted that early announcement risks existed, but player reactions were crucial motivation: "We needed that spark to push us toward creating something truly distinctive."

"Certainly there were trade-offs," Cannon reflected. "When we debuted footage, we studied fighting game enthusiasts' reactions closely. While responses were positive—'This looks intriguing'—we wanted explosive excitement. That absence drove us back to the drawing board."

Rivera echoed this perspective, framing their open development approach as strategic strength. As newcomers to fighting game development, the team embraces iterative learning.

He addressed fan concerns about timelines: "Given Radiant Entertainment's legacy and our roster additions like the Cannon brothers—fighting game veterans and EVO founders—expectations were inevitably high from the start."

The combination of League of Legends' brand power and respected developers intensified anticipation. Rivera acknowledged: "This enthusiasm isn't surprising. Our solution? Keep refining the game through player testing until it meets expectations."

Beta Access on the Horizon

Riot recently confirmed September 9, 2025, as the closed beta launch date, marking players' first at-home access. Developers plan continuous availability leading to full release.

Lead Champion Designer Alex Jaffe shared his anticipation in an EVO 2025 interview: "After years of development, we're as eager as fans to finally share this experience. We want players in the game as soon as possible."

Jaffe highlighted key improvements from alpha feedback addressing combo length, execution barriers, damage balancing, and healing mechanics—changes he described as "subtle but crucial for competitive depth and fairness."

A Resurgent Tag-Fighting Scene

Beyond 2XKO, the genre sees renewed energy with established and upcoming titles. Jaffe expressed enthusiasm: "We celebrate more tag-fighter options bringing new players into the scene—each game offers unique approaches."

He referenced titles like Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls and Hunter x Hunter Nen Impact as expanding the genre: "We want players to enjoy our game while exploring all tag-fighters—this renaissance benefits everyone."

While no final release date is confirmed, Jaffe remains optimistic: "We're close—I can't specify timelines, but hopefully not much longer."

Regardless, anticipation runs high for Riot's take on tag-team combat, especially after implementing extensive feedback from alpha phases.

The closed beta launches September 9, 2025, exclusively on PC, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC releases planned for later that year. Stay informed about the latest developments through our ongoing coverage.