There’s a buzz in the air about 2XKO, and it’s not hard to see why. With character reveals like Jinx and Braum catching players’ attention, and an Alpha Lab test that seemed to hit the right notes, the average gamer has had plenty of chances to become part of the excitement. However, while everyone else focuses on what’s in front of them, there’s already chatter about the game’s potential in the competitive scene. Yes, even though we don’t have a firm release date yet, these conversations are well underway.
I’ve touched on this before in an interview with Riot Games’ Michael Sherman, discussing the early ambitions for 2XKO’s competitive landscape. But now, let’s view this through a fresh lens. Team Liquid, a well-known name in the esports world, recently partnered with Intel to host a pop-up event ahead of the League of Legends Worlds tournament in London. During the event, John “Tephus” Lewis, Team Liquid’s VP, shed some light on the current climate surrounding the game and the health of the fighting game scene.
Lewis pointed out, “2XKO is definitely a big one on our radar.” He highlights Riot’s stellar track record in crafting great games with lasting appeal and fostering esports environments that offer genuine benefits for invested organizations. No other upcoming fighting game title quite matches this blend of factors, in Lewis’s view.
When it comes to scouting and nurturing new talent for 2XKO, it’s early days, but Lewis mentions that there’s already some movement. “I think there will be a rush, but it’s hard to predict precisely what our public involvement will look like. We’ve been having ongoing chats internally and with potential players for over a year now. If everything lines up, we might dive in early.”
But let’s not forget, 2XKO isn’t the only game in town. The competitive fighting game realm has seen a surge in interest from esports and corporate entities alike. Titles like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 continue to thrive, driven by influencer events like the Sajam Slam and more traditional esports efforts. Curious about Lewis’s take on today’s fighting game landscape, I asked for his thoughts.
“The FGC has always been a grassroots community, comprising numerous individual titles, and that’s largely still the case. This foundation has cultivated a distinct community and some unique events, but when you consider what’s possible on a larger scale, the focus on grassroots can sometimes mean big opportunities remain uncharted territory.”
Lewis explained that the esports landscape has evolved, especially during what’s been dubbed the ‘esports winter’, shifting from sponsorship-based income to in-game monetization via digital sales. This shift has posed challenges for FGC organizations, which have traditionally relied on sponsorships and brand support. Without established partnerships with developers, navigating the current market is tough.
It’s easy to see why teams like Team Liquid find 2XKO appealing. Despite Riot Games’ imperfections, they’ve started integrating features like cosmetics that enable players to support their favorite teams in League of Legends and Valorant. If this extends to 2XKO, it could pave the way for digital sales to become a key aspect of the fighting game scene.
Finally, I wanted to know which current game John Lewis believes has the most potential. Team Liquid maintains a roster of fighting game players, so clearly, they see value in staying involved. Lewis gave a considered response: “It’s tough to single out just one title as the most promising. We see a lot of potential across the FGC scene, but realizing that potential depends heavily on how willing publishers and developers are to cultivate their competitive communities.”
Indeed, it’s a fascinating moment in competitive fighting games, especially with 2XKO on the horizon, ready to make a big splash next year. I believe in the rising tide lifting all ships philosophy, and that idea resonates across the FGC. There are always standout games in any era — remember Street Fighter 4 in 2009 or Tekken 7 in 2020?
Even if 2XKO mirrors such success, it should ultimately channel more time, passion, and money into the genre. After all, these are the lifeblood of any vibrant competitive scene.
