Riot Games’ upcoming 2v2 fighting game, 2XKO, has built immense hype among fans. Players got a taste of the action during the first Alpha Lab test, and ever since, excitement has been at an all-time high.

However, a recent update from Riot Games suggests that eager fans may have to wait longer than expected for another large-scale playtest.

Game director Shaun Rivera recently addressed the community regarding the next major playtest. While Riot Games initially planned a global playtest this month, they have decided to scale it down to a much smaller test. This shift is intended to help the developers improve the game’s infrastructure and ensure that future large-scale playtests run smoothly.

Riot Games Confirms a Smaller Playtest Instead of a Large-Scale Test

Rivera acknowledged the community’s anticipation, stating, “We’ve seen and enjoyed the crazy memes and the hysteria of the subreddit while waiting for the February update, and want to correct some of the misinformation going around.”

He further explained, “We were planning on running a larger-scale global playtest next month, and the February update was going to cover what was in that playtest. Instead, we are going to focus on running a much smaller one than Alpha Lab 1 while we build out the infrastructure needed to make sure we can get the game in even more players’ hands later this year.”

This announcement has left many fans disappointed, as they had been expecting a more expansive testing period. However, Riot Games remains committed to ensuring a seamless gameplay experience before rolling out a large-scale beta.

Major Gameplay Changes: Pulse Fuse Removed, Sidekick Fuse Introduced

Although the delay might be frustrating, Rivera shared some significant gameplay changes. One of the biggest updates is the removal of the Pulse Fuse. For those unfamiliar, a Fuse is a special ability selected before a match that provides teams with unique power-ups. Pulse was one of the most beginner-friendly Fuses, as it enabled automatic combos for a team. However, many players criticized this feature, arguing that autocombos should be an optional accessibility setting rather than a power-up.

In response to this feedback, Riot Games has decided to remove Pulse Fuse entirely and introduce an autocombo toggle in the settings. This change ensures that players have full control over whether they want to enable autocombos, making the game more flexible for both beginners and advanced players.

Alongside this change, Rivera also confirmed the introduction of a new Fuse called Sidekick. Unlike other Fuses, Sidekick ensures that the point fighter and assist fighter never switch places. The assist character remains purely supportive, while the point fighter gains additional health. This mechanic could significantly impact the meta and open up new strategic possibilities for teams.

Will 2XKO Be Delayed? Fans Express Concerns

Despite Riot Games 2XKO’ initial 2025 release window for 2XKO on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, the latest update has sparked concerns that the game may face delays. Many fans took to Reddit to express their skepticism.

“Yeah, the game isn’t coming out til at least November or December if it is even coming out this year,” one user commented.

Another player added, “Game is [definitely] in development hell. [I don’t know] how this game’s production cycle is longer than Tekken or [Street Fighter].”

While some fans remain optimistic, others fear that Riot Games’ commitment to refining the game may push back the official launch.

What’s Next for 2XKO?

For now, fans can only wait for Riot Games to announce the next testing phase. Although the delayed playtest is a letdown, it’s clear that the developers are focused on delivering a polished and balanced game.

With exciting gameplay changes, new mechanics, and continued improvements, 2XKO is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fighting games of 2025. Stay tuned for further updates as Riot Games shares more details in the coming months.

More: Game