2XKO: Riot Games Responds to Player Feedback from Closed Alpha Test

2XKO game director Shaun Rivera has addressed recent player questions and feedback from Riot Games' Alpha Lab test. Originally known as Project L, 2XKO is an upcoming tag-based fighting game set in the League of Legends universe. Since its announcement in November 2021, the game has gradually revealed more information, with its official title confirmed earlier this year.

Alpha Lab Test and Community Feedback

Recently, 2XKO has gained attention, especially after being featured at EVO 2024 in Las Vegas. These events have allowed Riot Games to gather immediate feedback from players. During this year's event, Riot introduced a Closed Alpha, allowing selected players to try out announced characters, a Tutorial Mode, and Casual Online matches. The test generated a wealth of feedback and clips online, highlighting some impressive combos, which the development team decided to address publicly.

In a detailed post on Twitter, Shaun Rivera outlined the top three pieces of feedback received during the 2XKO Closed Alpha. Rivera noted that players effectively used the tutorial mode to discover combos and strategies that surprised the developers. However, some techniques exceeded what the developers considered reasonable. Certain characters, like Braum, were found to chain large attacks and juggle opponents for extended periods using tag mechanics, leading to lengthy periods of zero agency for opponents. This can be frustrating for players who find themselves unable to play while their characters are being pummeled.

Planned Changes Based on Feedback

Debate has arisen online about whether these combo issues enhance the overall experience. Rivera also addressed two game mechanics, including Touch of Death (ToD), which allows a character to be killed from full health. Riot has intentionally set the damage high to make matches feel fast and explosive. While players have discovered ToD techniques with characters like Yasuo and Ahri, Rivera emphasized that the studio wants to avoid focusing on instant-kill combos. Instead, they aim to make them rarer and require more resources to execute.

Regarding the Tutorial Mode, many fans expressed a desire for more comprehensive onboarding for new players. Rivera explained that the current tutorial in the closed alpha is just a "rough first pass" and that the studio plans to enhance it further. Riot continues to encourage player feedback to refine the tutorial experience.

Community Reception and Future Prospects

Despite combo concerns, players seem to enjoy their time with 2XKO. However, the tag fighter may face increased pressure. Earlier this year, news surfaced about a canceled platform fighter, known only as Pool Party, originally intended to appeal to fans of games like Super Smash Bros and MultiVersus. Rumors suggested that leadership was concerned about the risks of developing two fighting games, especially with 2XKO already generating significant excitement among fans.

Overall, 2XKO is progressing with a strong community following and ongoing feedback shaping its development to ensure a balanced and enjoyable experience for players.