Excitement crackles for Riot Games' first foray into the fighting game genre with 2XKO (formerly known as Project L). Following the reveal of its official name and release window, alongside striking trailers and concept art showcasing the game's mechanics and roster, 2XKO is igniting a firestorm of hype in both the fighting game community and League of Legends fans alike.
2XKO is an upcoming 2v2 tag-based fighting game set in the world of Runeterra. News about its development has been swirling since 2019, and with the recent wave of new information and public playtests, players are eager to learn more!
2XKO Expected Release Date and Platforms
Drawing from Riot's development videos, 2XKO is expected to launch in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC.
Amping up the excitement, Riot confirms that playable demos will be offered throughout 2024, including Evo Japan 2024.
Additionally, the first public playtest, Alpha Lab, was just announced. It invites players from participating regions to experience an early version of the full game from home, which the team hopes will provide valuable insights to refine the experience before the game's targeted 2025 launch. Find out how to sign up below.
How to Sign Up For 2XKO's First Public Playtest (Alpha Lab)
Development for 2XKO is in full swing, with the team looking for feedback and data through their newly announced at-home playtesting, 2XKO Alpha Lab! The Alpha Lab kicks off on August 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM PT and runs until August 19.
2XKO Alpha Lab will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC for players in the US, Canada, UK, France, Brazil, Japan, and Mexico.
Here's how to signup:
- Head over to the official 2XKO website
- Sign up using your Riot Account. Don't have one yet? You'll be prompted to create one during registration.
- Keep an eye on your inbox between registration and August 8 as you'll receive a survey from Riot Games that you'll need to fill out to be considered for the playtest
Sign-ups are open now, but they'll close once the Alpha Lab kicks off on August 8.
If you're chosen for the playtest, you'll get an email invitation with download instructions for the game.
The first wave of invites will be sent out on August 8, 1:00 PM PT, marking the official start of the Alpha Lab. This is your chance to provide feedback while the game is still in its early stages, allowing the developers to make real changes based on your input. Don't miss out!
2XKO Gameplay
2XKO is a 2v2 tag-based fighting game. In a dev diary, Executive Producer Tom Cannon revealed that the game started development as a 1v1 title. However, the team decided to pivot towards a tag-team fighter, which, according to Cannon, opens up doors for more exciting and hype moments to unfold.
One important distinction is that 2XKO is not simply a tag-based fighter; it's a 2v2 team-based experience. Each team comprises two champions, and players control one each in a tag-team assist format.
Game Director Shaun Rivera describes 2XKO as akin to tag-team wrestling. He points out the highlights of their tag mechanics, which include encouraging teamwork, performing flashy combos together, saving your partner in clutch moments, and more, paving the way for boundless player expression.
Before players start a match, they will have the opportunity to customise how their champions interact with each other using the “Fuse” system. For example, selecting "Fuse 2x Assist" will enable your team to execute two assists consecutively. Players can change their Fuse setup before the next match, offering flexibility and strategic depth.
Riot emphasises its core design principles for 2XKO: ensuring immediate accessibility for new players while also rewarding mastery and dedication. Champions boast fast, impactful abilities visually compelling to execute, built upon a foundation of smooth and fluid movement.
2XKO Roster (Confirmed and Speculated)
2XKO brings iconic champions from League of Legends to the fighting game scene. As of now, six characters are confirmed for the starting roster:
- Yasuo
- Ahri
- Ekko
- Jinx
- Illaoi
- Darius
Beyond these confirmed fighters, the community speculates on additional potential characters based on various clues:
- Katarina: Briefly glimpsed in a screenshot of early development gameplay footage
- Garen and Lucian: Skill images discovered within the game's "goodies" folder
- Vi: Artwork found at Riot Games' San Francisco office
The official 2XKO website hints at a potential 12-character starting roster, which could make for a decent starting roster, considering the game will be supported for years and years to come. Expect to see more beloved League of Legends champions join the fray in the future!
Will 2XKO Be Free-To-Play?
Like its predecessors, 2XKO will be completely free-to-play across all platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC! Announced in August 2022, this decision by Riot Games eliminates the initial cost barrier, making the League of Legends-themed fighter accessible to a wider audience.
Fighting games can be intimidating for newcomers, with complex controls and hidden costs for additional characters or cosmetics. This is why both FGC veterans, League of Legends fans, and casual gamers are buzzing about 2XKO. Riot Games' proven track record of captivating players with successful, free-to-play multiplayer experiences further adds to the anticipation surrounding 2XKO.
Stay tuned for more information about 2XKO! We will update this article with the latest details as they become available. Be sure to bookmark this page so you don't miss anything!
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