2XKO Catches Our Attention: Top Esports Team VP Discusses the Competitive Promise of Riot’s New Fighting Game

Excitement is clearly buzzing around 2XKO, as gamers everywhere are abuzz. With character reveals like Jinx and Braum, along with a successful Alpha Lab test, players have had plenty of chances to jump onto the 2XKO bandwagon. But what about its future in competitive gaming? Surprisingly, there are already conversations brewing about this topic, even without a confirmed release date.

I’ve delved into this subject previously in an interview with Riot Games’ Michael Sherman, who shed light on early ambitions for 2XKO’s competitive scene. This time, however, I’m exploring the matter from a fresh angle. Team Liquid, a renowned esports organization, hosted a pop-up event in collaboration with Intel just ahead of the League of Legends Worlds tourney in London. During the event, I caught up with Team Liquid’s VP John “Tephus” Lewis, who shared his insights on the game and the current state of the fighting game competitive scene.

Lewis is keenly watching 2XKO, saying, “Riot has a proven track record of creating games with enduring appeal and managing their esports environments to reward investment and the value organizations bring to the table. No other upcoming fighting game title seems to match this blend of factors.”

So, will there be a rush to snap up and back new talent? Although it’s too early to be certain, Lewis notes there’s already movement happening. “We do anticipate a rush, but predicting our public presence is tricky. Discussions have been ongoing for over a year with potential players who might emerge as strong contenders. If things align, we’re definitely looking to enter early.”

But remember, 2XKO isn’t the only game in town. Interest in the fighting game arena is growing, with esports and other corporations taking notice. Titles like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 continue to thrive, fueled by influencer events like Sajam Slam as well as traditional esports platforms. What’s Lewis’s take on the current fighting game scene?

“The FGC [Fighting Game Community] has always been grassroots-centric, featuring multiple titles. This has fostered a vibrant community and unique live events. However, focusing on grassroots has meant some large-scale opportunities as an overall ecosystem have yet to be realized.”

The esports environment has witnessed shifts during what some call an “esports winter,” moving away from sponsorship monetization to in-game monetization through things like digital item sales. This transition has posed short-term challenges for professional teams in the FGC, as partnerships with publishers or developers aren’t commonplace yet. So far, involvement has largely depended on sponsorships or brand investments, presenting a significant hurdle in today’s market.

This context sheds light on why 2XKO holds so much potential allure for teams. While Riot Games isn’t perfect when it comes to integrating in-game elements into its competitive scenes, they’ve introduced cosmetics that let players support favorite teams in games like League of Legends and Valorant. Implementing something similar in 2XKO might drive digital item sales in the fighting game sector.

When I pressed Lewis on which game currently holds the most promise, he gave a broad perspective. Team Liquid, with several fighting game players, recognizes the potential across the entire FGC scene. “It’s difficult to single out one title with the most potential. We see great promise in the FGC as a whole, but its future depends on how willing publishers and developers are to cultivate their competitive communities.”

We’re in a fascinating era for competitive fighting games, especially with 2XKO poised to make a splash next year. The belief that a rising tide lifts all boats rings true here—it’s a sentiment that has defined the FGC over the years. Each era has its standout winner, like Street Fighter 4 in 2009 and Tekken 7 around 2020.

Even if 2XKO mirrors this kind of impact, it would mean heightened dedication, passion, and investment in the genre. These three elements are crucial to any competitive arena.