Riot Games has made the difficult decision to discontinue active development for 2XKO its free-to-play tag-team fighting game set in the League of Legends universe. The announcement comes after months of monitoring the game’s trajectory, which failed to show sufficient player retention for long-term sustainability.
In a heartfelt blog post, Riot acknowledged the passionate community that has supported 2XKO since its launch in January 2026. However, the studio concluded that the game’s player base was not large enough to ensure its future. Despite this, Riot assured players that the game will not be shut down, and servers will remain active for online play.
What’s Next for 2XKO?
Riot Games has outlined a roadmap for the remainder of 2026, which includes the addition of two new champions, Lux and Samira as well as various feature improvements and bug fixes. The final bug fix patch is scheduled for December. Offline play will continue to be unaffected by these changes.
In a gesture of goodwill, Riot is unlocking all champions and bundling most cosmetic items. Additionally, the company will refund all purchases made on or before August 20. KO Point purchases have been disabled, but players will retain access to all purchased content. Avatar and player profile items will be unlockable for credits once a patch hits in September.
The Journey of 2XKO
2XKO, initially revealed in 2019 under the codename Project L was born from the ashes of Rising Thunder a fighting game focused on approachability. The game entered PC early access in September 2026 before graduating to version 1.0 and launching on consoles in January 2026. Despite garnering generally positive reviews, 2XKO’s struggles became apparent soon after launch, leading to the layoff of 80 employees—roughly half of the development team—just three weeks later.
As 2026 progressed, the competitive landscape for tag-team fighting games became increasingly crowded with the launches of Invincible VS and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls. These titles likely exacerbated 2XKO’s struggles to attract and retain players. Riot explored various options, such as reducing headcount and changing the game’s business model, before deciding that sunsetting the game was the best course of action.
The Community’s Reaction
The announcement has sparked a mix of reactions from the 2XKO community. Some players express disappointment but appreciate Riot’s efforts to support the game until the end of the year. Others see this as an opportunity to explore other fighting games in the genre. The community’s dedication has been evident, with 2XKO being the third-most popular game at Evo 2026 behind Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.
Riot Games has emphasized its commitment to doing right by the players who have invested time and money into 2XKO. The studio’s goal is to ensure a smooth transition for the community, providing a soft landing as the game moves into a state of reduced support. While the end of active development marks a significant milestone, the legacy of 2XKO and its impact on the fighting game community will undoubtedly endure.
