Riot co-founder doesn't think 2XKO was 'a mistake' but perhaps a tough sell: 'You're not just competing against games, you're competing against everything'

Riot Games' co-founder Marc Merrill has expressed that he doesn't view the tag fighter 2XKO as a mistake, but rather a challenging venture: "You're not just competing against games, you're competing against everything." Following the shutdown of 2XKO in August for further development, and the subsequent refunds for in-game purchases, Riot's co-founder acknowledged that the team struggled to find the momentum to keep the game sustainable.

During a PAX West panel, Merrill elaborated on the challenges faced by 2XKO, stating that it wasn't just about competing against other games, but against all forms of entertainment, given the overwhelming competition on platforms like Steam and social media channels. Merrill emphasized that the team aimed to create a beautiful game that took risks, such as the innovative tag system and the League of Legends IP, but understood that achieving success in the highly competitive environment required getting numerous elements right.

Unfortunately, 2XKO didn't achieve the critical mass needed for long-term sustainability. Despite the setback, Merrill affirmed that the intention and desire to serve the fighting game community (FGC) remained strong throughout the project. However, he clarified that not everything went as planned, and the team won't be flawless in their future endeavors.

The developer remains committed to taking risks and expanding, including their mysterious MMO, as the setbacks with 2XKO shouldn't deter the team from pushing boundaries.