For years, Riot Games has been synonymous with always-online, live service games like League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and VALORANT. That’s why the recent confirmation that 2XKO, Riot’s upcoming fighting game, will include an offline mode has surprised many fans.

This isn’t just a minor feature — it represents a significant step as Riot attempts to bridge the gap between the competitive esports scene and the casual fighting game community. But before you get too excited, there are some important details about how this offline functionality will work.

2XKO’s Offline Mode: Who Can Actually Use It?

According to Tom Cannon, Executive Producer of 2XKO, the offline mode will exist but is not available for everyone. Instead, it’s designed specifically for:

• Official tournaments and esports events, where network stability is critical.

• Licensed offline community events, approved by Riot.

In other words, while the game technically supports offline play, everyday players at home will still need to be connected to access the main content. Riot continues to prioritize account integration, progression systems, and live service features at the core of 2XKO.

Casual Players’ Hope: A Tekken or Street Fighter Experience?

Many fans were hoping 2XKO would follow the path of traditional fighting games like Tekken, Street Fighter, or Mortal Kombat, where local multiplayer and offline play are standard.

But given Riot’s history and approach to live service, that dream looks unlikely for now. There are several reasons behind this decision:

• Account-linked progression and monetization tied to Riot’s ecosystem.

• Continuous roster updates and balance patches that rely on online connectivity.

• The need to reduce risks of cheating or modding that offline play could introduce.

Fighting Games in the Online Era: A Unique Challenge

Unlike MOBAs or FPS titles, fighting games have always had a unique rhythm:

• They’re inherently 1v1 duel-based, making offline play much more natural.

• The FGC (Fighting Game Community) has historically relied on offline play for practice, tournaments, and casual sessions.

• Many grassroots tournaments still use offline setups for stability and fairness.

This creates a challenge for Riot: balancing digital monetization with the community’s expectation of accessible offline gameplay.

Live Service Model Remains the Core

Despite the buzz around offline functionality, Riot has made it clear that 2XKO will remain a live service game at its heart. Players can expect features such as:

• Cosmetics and skins for characters.

• Battle Passes or seasonal progression tracks.

• Regular roster updates with new fighters added over time.

• A strong online ranked system to drive global competition.

In short, the offline option may be limited, but Riot is sticking to the same philosophy that drives League of Legendsand VALORANT: an evolving, connected ecosystem.

Conclusion: A Step Forward, But With Limitations

The confirmation that 2XKO will feature an offline mode is undeniably exciting news for the fighting game scene. However, the reality is that the feature is restricted to official events, not casual play at home.

For the everyday player, the dream of a fully offline Riot fighting game remains distant. Yet for tournaments and professional settings, this option could be a game-changer, ensuring smooth and stable matches without depending on external servers.

Ultimately, 2XKO represents a fresh take on modern fighting games, blending Riot’s service-driven model with small concessions to the traditions of the FGC. If executed properly, it could set a new benchmark for how fighting games evolve in the live service era.