Honestly? I never expected to be this hyped about a fighting game until Riot dropped 2XKO. 😱 As a longtime League addict, seeing Jinx throw punches instead of rockets feels surreal – and I'm living for it! Michael Sherman (the brains behind both 2XKO and TFT) spilled so much tea about how they're building this fighter alongside the community, not just for them. That tag-team 2v2 system? Pure genius. Swap between Ekko and Ahri mid-combo? Yes please! But what really got me was Sherman admitting the launch version will be the "worst" version because they’re committed to evolving it forever. That’s the Riot magic I stan. 🙌

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When Fighting Games Meet Runeterra Magic

Sherman’s philosophy hit different: "We’re partnering with the fighting game community that’s already built." No ego, just collaboration. Remember those alpha tests earlier this year? They weren’t just tech demos – players called combat "too slow" and "punishing," so Riot added defensive options STAT. That responsiveness? Chef’s kiss. And picking champs isn’t random either:

  • They analyze League’s 140+ roster for fighting archetypes (imagine Sett as a grappler! 🤼)

  • Launch has only 10 champs, but Sherman teased more are coming

  • Creative challenge? Making Lux feel authentic as a zoner or Darius as a bruiser

What fascinates me? Sherman isn’t even a fighting game vet! He’s a strategy nerd who fell in love with the FGC through this project. That fresh perspective shows – they’re avoiding gatekeeping and focusing on:

🔹 Reducing intermediaries between devs and players

🔹 Balancing for all skill levels (not just pros)

🔹 Letting champion diversity drive gameplay innovation

TFT’s Competitive Glow-Up Is Everything

But let’s not sleep on Teamfight Tactics! With 30 MILLION players, it’s rewriting auto-battler rules. The new KO Coliseum set? Anime vibes meets brutal strategy. 😍 Sherman’s team spends months on thematic seeds – how lore translates to gameplay mechanics. And their competitive revamp? Revolutionary:

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"We’re building a rich competitive ecosystem where playing TFT feels like an extension of the core game – not some elite bubble."

Translation: They’re ditching stuffy esports norms. No stadiums required. Just pure, accessible competition:

  • New Pro Circuit + Regional Finals

  • Experimental tournaments for rising stars

  • Every set (like Set 15’s anime flair) resets the playing field

Sherman nailed it: "Maybe THIS is your set to hit Masters." That growth mindset? Infectious. TFT isn’t chasing League’s esports model – it’s creating something woven into our daily grind.

Why This Duo Changes Everything

As a player, I’m obsessed with how both games embrace imperfection. Sherman openly said 2XKO will launch "flawed" but improve relentlessly. TFT’s competitive scene prioritizes inclusivity over exclusivity. That vulnerability? Rare in gaming. And the cross-pollination is delicious:

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Riot’s not forcing genres into League’s mold – they’re letting each game breathe. 2XKO borrows FGC soul while TFT reinvents strategy esports. My takeaway? Playtest feedback isn’t just welcomed; it’s sacred. Whether you’re a combo fiend or a tactician, 2025 is serving main character energy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be theorycrafting which champ becomes 2XKO’s first DLC... 🧐