There’s a lot of buzz surrounding 2XKO right now, and it’s easy to see why. With character revelations like Jinx and Braum piquing interest, plus a successful Alpha Lab test, it’s no wonder gamers are eagerly hopping on this hype train. But what about its competitive future? Surprisingly, even without a set release date, there’s been plenty of chatter on this front.
I’ve previously delved into this topic through an interview with Michael Sherman from Riot Games, discussing their initial hopes for 2XKO’s competitive scene. However, I now bring a fresh perspective. Team Liquid, a well-known esports giant, recently hosted a pop-up event with Intel ahead of the League of Legends Worlds in London. Here, Team Liquid’s VP, John “Tephus” Lewis, shed some light on the game’s development and the current state of the competitive fighting game scene.
“2XKO is definitely catching our attention,” Lewis noted. “Riot’s got this knack for creating games with serious staying power and managing esports ecosystems in ways that heavily reward strategy and effort. We haven’t seen any upcoming fighting games that can match that level of support and potential investment.”
Will we see organizations scrambling to back new talents? It’s a bit too early to predict with certainty, but Lewis mentioned there’s already some movement. “I think we might see a rush, but predicting our public involvement is still tricky. We’ve been in talks for over a year with potential strong players, and if things go well, we might dive into the game sooner rather than later.”
2XKO isn’t the only game stirring the pot. The fighting game community is buzzing with interest from esports orgs and businesses. Games like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 keep gaining momentum, thanks to influencer and player-driven events like Sajam Slam and mainstream esports efforts. What’s Lewis’s take on the current scene?
“The fighting game community (FGC) has always thrived on its grassroots nature, embracing diverse titles and building a remarkable community and unique events,” he explained. “However, while this grassroots focus is enriching, it has somewhat limited tapping into larger opportunities within the ecosystem.”
As esports has evolved, especially during the “esports winter,” there’s been a shift from sponsorship-based revenue to in-game monetization via digital sales. This transition poses short-term challenges for FGC organizations, as existing partnerships with publishers or developers are scarce. Until now, their presence largely relied on sponsorships or brand backing, which is tricky in the current market.
Understanding this shift, the allure of 2XKO becomes clear to many esports teams. Riot Games, despite its imperfections in integrating in-game features with its competitive arm, has started introducing cosmetics and other means for players to support their favorite teams in League of Legends and Valorant. If 2XKO follows suit, it could pave the way for merchandising growth in the fighting game competitive scene.
Finally, I inquired about which game currently shows the most potential through Lewis’s eyes. Given Team Liquid’s commitment to supporting several fighting game players, they clearly see something valuable within the genre. Lewis provided an expansive view. “It’s difficult to single out one game as the most promising. We see a lot of potential across the FGC. However, realizing this potential largely depends on the publisher or developer nurturing their communities.”
It’s an intriguing time for competitive fighting games, with 2XKO poised to make a splash next year. However, the notion that a rising tide lifts all boats resonates strongly with me. This has been the narrative of the FGC for some time. Though there are standout successes, like Street Fighter 4 in ’09 or Tekken 7 around 2020, a hit like 2XKO could drive more investment of passion, resources, and attention to the genre. And those are vital to thriving in any competitive scene.
