Project L is officially named 2XKO; Riot Games finally names its League of Legends fighting game

Riot Games, the developer of popular games like League of Legends (LoL) and VALORANT has announced the official title of its upcoming free-to-play, 2v2 tag-based fighting game, formerly referred to as "Project L" on Friday morning (23 February).

Now named "2XKO," the game is scheduled for a full launch in 2025 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S and X, and PC platforms.

Executive Producer of 2XKO Tom Cannon also shared some updates through a video on social media particularly why there was a name switch.

“This year, we're entering a new phase of development. Our dev team has grown significantly since we last talked, and things are really ramping up,” he said.

“We still have a lot of game left to build, but we're far enough along that it's time to start sharing more with you over the coming year.”

What is 2XKO?

2XKO™, previously known as Project L, is Riot Games' upcoming free-to-play tag team, assist-based, fighting game, set in a contemporary take on the League of Legends Runeterra universe.

Rooted in the essence of fighting games' appeal, it prioritizes mastery, player expression, and competitive intensity, all while offering intuitive controls and gameplay for swift enjoyment.

With the playtest just around the corner, here’s everything we know so far about 2XKO.

Art Style and Setting

2XKO’s art style makes the champions look modern and edgy, more like they came out of a graphic novel, with hard lines outlining the details of each character. The style reminds me a bit of thevturn-based RPG by Riot Forge, Ruined King, but with character features closer to the original League of Legends models.

Each stage is set in different parts of Runeterra, with the beginning of the trailer first showing Ionia, before transitioning to Bilgewater. We also saw Zaun in previous videos as well, so we’re expecting that as the roster increases, so will the number of locations players can choose in the game.

Gameplay

Key features include the innovative Duo-Play mode, enabling 2v2 co-op tag team gameplay, and streamlined controls designed to balance accessibility and depth.

With the tag and assist system, playing 2XKO is meant to be reminiscent of LoL team fights, especially when certain chain combos and heavy ults can make or break the fight.

The tag system is a prominent element in fighting games such as Marvel vs. Capcom, Tekken Tag Tournament, and others.

2XKO also boasts streamlined controls that can help players learn the game by playing it. This makes enjoying the game faster, without sacrificing the depth and mastery the combat system offers.

When is the Playtest and how do I sign up?

Riot plans to showcase playable demos of 2XKO at various events worldwide throughout 2024, starting with Evo Japan in April.

“We've continued talking directly with the fighting game community all over the world and we're learning a ton through direct feedback online, hands-on playtests, and going to events like Evo," Tom shared in the video.

“If you're attending, come check it out and tell us what you think. And we won't just be looking at major events, so keep an eye out for more announcements soon,” Tom said in his dev update.

Players can also expect at-home playtesting sometime before the year ends. Interested playtesters can sign up at the 2XKO website.

For more information, you can check the game’s website, and get updates from their official Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok accounts.

Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She's also a food enthusiast who loves a good cup of black coffee.

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