Riot Games outlines champion selection and design process for upcoming fighter 2XKO

Riot Games has revealed how champions are selected and designed for 2XKO, detailing the collaborative process.

Riot Games has shared new details on how its developers choose and design champions for the upcoming tag-team fighting game 2XKO. The process was explained by Knight ‘Arucelli’ Zhang, a member of the concept team, in a post on X.

According to Zhang, the process begins with what the developers call “DNA,” where the design, narrative and art teams meet to discuss how each League of Legends champion could be adapted into 2XKO.

This includes evaluating which fighting game archetypes they might fit, what mechanics or visual styles are missing from the roster, and which aspects of a champion can be explored further in the fighting game format. Once a direction is chosen, the concept team designs costumes that emphasise gameplay style.

Zhang provided examples, noting that a faster champion might be given accessories that flow with their movement, like Yasuo. In comparison, a heavier champion could have a strong focal point to make them feel grounded, such as Illaoi.

Following concept approval, character artists, animators, technical artists, and VFX specialists bring the champion into the game. Zhang emphasised that each stage requires close collaboration to ensure the character plays and looks right in 2XKO.

The game currently features nine playable champions in closed beta: Ahri, Blitzcrank, Braum, Darius, Ekko, Illaoi, Jinx, Yasuo and Vi.

Riot has confirmed the roster will launch with 10 characters in total, though the final addition has yet to be revealed. While Katarina appeared in early footage, she will not be available at launch.

With more than 170 champions in League of Legends, Riot faces the challenge of selecting which ones adapt best to 2XKO’s 2v2 format.

The development team also continues to balance gameplay, ensuring every champion works effectively in different team combinations.

The full release of 2XKO is expected in 2025, following its current closed beta phase.