The developers behind 2XKO have acknowledged that revealing the game at its current stage comes with certain trade-offs. Continue reading to discover their insights on the extended development timeline and the evolving state of the tag-fighting genre.
2XKO's Extended Development Cycle and Upcoming Closed Beta
The Importance of Community Feedback
The 2XKO team confirmed that revealing the game in its present form involved some risk, but they needed community input as a source of motivation. In a conversation with Eurogamer at EVO 2025, Executive Producer Tom Cannon and Game Director Shaun Rivera discussed the possibility that the game was announced prematurely.
2XKO's origins can be traced back to 2016, when Riot Games acquired Radiant Entertainment, the creators of the well-regarded fighting game Rising Thunder. During Riot's 10th-anniversary event in 2019, the company first introduced "Project L," which was initially conceived as a 1v1 fighting experience.
The project remained largely under the radar until a 2023 announcement provided fans with new details. The development team rebranded the title as "2XKO" and confirmed its shift to a 2v2 tag-team format. Since then, Riot has periodically shared progress updates and conducted alpha tests to refine the game's core systems.
Although the development team's openness about their process has been praised, the player community is growing increasingly eager for a final release. With nine years having passed since work on the project first became public, many are questioning the reasons for the lengthy development period.
Cannon recognized the potential downsides of an early reveal but emphasized that the team required tangible player feedback to energize development and push for a distinctive gaming experience.
He explained, "There were definitely some trade-offs, but we were very focused on the response from the fighting game community. What we got was, 'This looks interesting, I'll keep an eye on it.' We were aiming for a more explosive, 'wow' reaction. Since we didn't quite achieve that, we knew we had to go back and elevate the game further."
Rivera echoed this perspective, viewing the team's transparency as a fundamental strength for both the game and Riot Games. He admitted that their team is relatively new to fighting game development and is continuously learning throughout the process.
He also noted that while some players feel the development timeline has been too long—particularly given the initial excitement following Riot's 2016 acquisition—there is little the team can do to alter that perception.
This anticipation was amplified by the recruitment of the Cannon brothers, respected fighting game developers and EVO co-founders. Combined with the widespread appeal of the League of Legends universe, expectations were naturally high given the talent involved in the project.
Rivera continued, "It's understandable that there's a lot of excitement surrounding the game. We need to push forward regardless, and the most effective way to address player expectations is to continue improving the game based on hands-on feedback."
Approaching the Closed Beta
Last month, Riot announced that 2XKO will launch its Closed Beta on September 9, 2025. The community welcomed the news, as it offers the first opportunity to try the game outside live events. The developers also plan to keep the beta active until the official launch.
In an interview with IGN at EVO 2025, Lead Champion Designer Alex Jaffe shared his enthusiasm and personal feelings regarding the upcoming Closed Beta. "We've poured years into this project," he said. "The community has been incredibly patient, and we completely understand. We're just as eager to get the game into players' hands."
Jaffe also outlined the major updates implemented after feedback from Alpha Labs 1 and 2, which covered issues like extended combo sequences, difficulty in initiating combos, low damage output, and excessive healing mechanics.
He elaborated, "Many of these adjustments may seem minor to a casual observer, but they are vital for creating a balanced and engaging experience for dedicated players."
A Growing Tag-Fighting Scene
Besides 2XKO, several other tag-fighting games—both released and upcoming—are making their mark in the genre. Jaffe mentioned that the team is encouraged by the growing interest in tag-fighters, as everyone on the development team is passionate about the format.
He added, "We're genuinely thrilled to see more options emerging. The launch of multiple tag-fighting titles will likely attract more players to the genre. It's especially exciting to see each game bringing its unique approach to the table."
Jaffe pointed to games like Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls and Hunter x Hunter Nen Impact as examples that are introducing players to high-quality tag-team gameplay. "We want players to enjoy our game, and we hope they explore the entire tag-fighting landscape," he stated.
At this time, a final release date and the exact duration of the Closed Beta remain unconfirmed. "I can't provide specific details, but hopefully, it won't be too long," Jaffe noted.
Despite the wait, fans remain enthusiastic about finally playing the long-anticipated tag-fighter. Riot encourages everyone to participate in the beta, emphasizing that the game has evolved significantly based on alpha test feedback.
The 2XKO Closed Beta begins on September 9, 2025, initially available on PC. The full release is planned for 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via the Riot Games client. For the latest news and updates, be sure to read our detailed coverage below.
