Riot Games has announced a significant change regarding the upcoming playtest for its highly anticipated fighting game, 2XKO. Initially planned as a large-scale event in March, the playtest will now be a “much smaller one,” allowing the team to focus on enhancing the game’s infrastructure for a more extensive test later this year.
Game director Shaun Rivera addressed concerns about the playtest cancellation and new features via social media, aiming to clarify misinformation circulating within the gaming community. Despite the postponement, Rivera shared exciting updates about the new features that will enhance gameplay in 2XKO.
One noteworthy change involves the removal of the Pulse Fuse feature, which previously enabled beginner-friendly autocombos. Instead, a new toggleable option for autocombo functionality will be introduced in the game’s settings. This adjustment aims to give players more control over their gaming experience, allowing them to utilize powerful game mechanics while still opting for autocombos if they choose.
Additionally, a new feature called Sidekick will reshape character dynamics, removing the tag functionality typical in tag-based fighters. With Sidekick, players will not have the option to swap between a primary character and an assist character, but the primary character will gain bonus health to balance the gameplay. This change aligns with feedback from players who expressed a desire for a support role experience, allowing them to learn the game at their own pace while embracing collaborative gameplay.
2XKO, designed to be free-to-play, is scheduled for release in 2025, although a specific launch date has yet to be confirmed. The game previously offered players their first significant hands-on experience during its Alpha Lab playtest in August 2024, which lasted just over a week. Players interested in participating in future playtests are encouraged to sign up on the 2XKO website.
