2XKO, Riot Games’ ambitious 2v2 tag-team fighter, has had a turbulent first month. On February 9, 2026, Riot announced it was reducing the development team by approximately 50% (around 80 staff) just weeks after the official Season 1 launch on January 20 . Executive Producer Tom Cannon cited that while the game attracted a “passionate core audience,” the overall momentum hadn’t reached the level needed to sustain such a large team long-term .
This news sent shockwaves through the gaming community. Headlines screamed “flop” and “failure.” But a closer look at the data tells a more nuanced story. Despite the team reduction, 2XKO ranked as the third most downloaded game on PlayStation in North America in January 2026, trailing only Fortnite and Roblox and beating established titles like Rocket League and Marvel Rivals .
So which is it? Is 2XKO dying, or is it quietly building a foundation for long-term success? Here’s a data-driven look at 2XKO’s player count, engagement, and future outlook in 2026.
Download Numbers: Strong Start Despite Concerns
The most objective measure of 2XKO’s early performance comes from PlayStation’s official download charts, released in early February 2026 .
January 2026 PlayStation Downloads (North America)
| Rank | Game |
|---|---|
| #1 | Fortnite |
| #2 | Roblox |
| #3 | 2XKO |
| #4 | Rocket League |
| #5 | Marvel Rivals |
| #6 | Where Winds Meet |
Why Player Momentum Fell Short
Several factors likely contributed to 2XKO’s failure to meet Riot’s internal expectations .
Genre Reality: The fighting game community (FGC) is historically a niche market with high barriers to entry. Unlike Valorant, which exploded into the shooter genre, 2XKO entered a space dominated by established franchises like Street Fighter, Tekken, and Guilty Gear .
High Complexity: Despite Riot’s efforts to simplify controls with the Pulse autocombo system, the 2v2 tag-team mechanics add significant complexity. Players must learn two characters, manage assist cooldowns, and execute team combos . One analysis noted that the game “attracted hardcore players but the high difficulty discouraged newcomers” .
Monetization Mismatch: Riot’s cosmetic-focused revenue model faced resistance from the FGC. Players balked at skin prices ranging from $20 to $100, with bundle-only purchases drawing particular criticism. As one player noted on Reddit, “Even when I see a costume I like, I don’t buy it because anyone seeing me using it will know how much I paid” . Unlike League of Legends, fighting games lack the same skin-collecting culture .
Technical Issues: Early console reports noted screen tearing problems, and the relatively small roster for a tag fighter drew criticism from genre veterans .
Competitive Scene: The Silver Lining
Despite the team reduction, Riot has repeatedly confirmed that the 2026 Competitive Series remains unchanged . This commitment is crucial for the game’s long-term health.
2026 Competitive Circuit Status
| Event Type | Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Major Events | 5 | Confirmed |
| Challenger Events | 15 | Confirmed |
| First Impact Program | 22 | Sponsored tournaments |
| Evo 2026 | Featured | Confirmed |
The circuit has already begun with Frosty Faustings (January 29 – February 1) and continues with Genesis X3 (February 13-15) . Evo 2026 will feature 2XKO in its official lineup, lending legitimacy to its competitive aspirations .
Tom Cannon, Executive Producer:
“Our plans for the 2026 Competitive Series remain unchanged. We remain committed to working with tournament organizers and local communities to support the events that have long driven the fighting game community forward.”
Riot’s First Impact program provides sponsorships for 22 community-run tournaments, while the Frame Perfect skin line shares revenue with tournament organizers for prize pools and production costs . This grassroots approach mirrors successful strategies from the broader FGC and could build sustainable long-term engagement.
Can 2XKO Survive?
The question isn’t whether 2XKO is “dead”—it’s clearly not, with strong download numbers and a full competitive calendar . The question is whether Riot can transition initial curiosity into lasting engagement.
Several factors favor 2XKO’s survival:
- Riot’s Long-Term Commitment: Unlike a smaller studio that might abandon a underperforming title, Riot has the resources and patience to nurture 2XKO over years .
- League of Legends IP: With over 160 champions to draw from, the game has virtually unlimited roster potential to keep the meta fresh .
- Tag Team Longevity: Tag fighters historically benefit from faster character release schedules than 1v1 games, maintaining player interest through new content .
- Grassroots Support: By funding community tournaments rather than forcing a centralized league, Riot is building organic growth within the FGC .
Rick Thiher, Evo General Manager:
“Anything that helps tournaments increase prize pools and recoup production costs is critical in the decentralized, grassroots ecosystem that competitive fighting games rely on.”
The path forward isn’t easy. 2XKO needs to address technical issues, refine its monetization, and—most importantly—find ways to keep casual players engaged beyond the first week. But with a smaller, more focused development team and an unwavering commitment to competitive play, the game has a genuine chance to grow into the success Riot envisioned.