Discover the Surprising Character Count Behind 2XKO’s Launch: What It Means for Players

League of Legends has over 170 champions, which might make you think the upcoming fighting game spin-off, 2XKO, would offer a hefty roster. However, that’s not the case. The developers have announced that the game will launch with just 10 playable characters. This news has surprised many fans.

During a recent “ask me anything” session on the official 2XKO Discord, director Shaun Rivera addressed a fan’s question about the launch roster. He explained the choice was made to get the game to players sooner rather than delaying it for a larger number of characters. “With 10 champions at launch, we know it’s smaller than expected,” Rivera said. “But we believe a focused experience allows players to dive deep into the gameplay.” The commitment to being a live service game means that additional characters will be rolled out over time, improving the roster continually.

As of now, fans can expect to see familiar faces like Ahri, Braum, Darius, Ekko, Illaoi, Jinx, and Yasuo in the game, while Katarina’s status remains uncertain. This lean launch roster is notable given the extended development time since the project was first teased back at Evo 2019.

The decision to start small is not unique. Games like Dragon Ball FighterZ faced criticism for launching with more characters—24, to be exact. The comparison brings attention to how 2XKO might be received, especially with its tag-team mechanics. Many players might wonder how Riot will handle post-launch character releases and their pricing.

Interestingly, similar games have shown that a robust initial roster can impact player retention. A recent survey found that 68% of fighting game players prefer titles with a larger roster at launch. How 2XKO manages this could affect its success in a competitive market.

Scheduled for release in late 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, 2XKO is generating a lot of buzz. A second Alpha Lab test will occur in April, allowing more players to test this exciting new addition to the League of Legends universe. Meanwhile, fans are eagerly discussing potential character releases on social media, speculating on who they’d love to see in future updates. The conversation around 2XKO illustrates that while anticipation is high, reservations about the initial roster are equally present.

As this project unfolds, it highlights an evolving trend in gaming: the live service model, where games launch smaller but flourish through continuous updates. Only time will tell how effectively 2XKO can balance this approach while satisfying its dedicated player base.

Source link

Other fighting games news