Exciting news for competitive gamers and grassroots tournament enthusiasts: 2XKO will feature an offline mode where all champions are accessible right off the bat. This innovative feature aims to support local event organizers who are eager to host competitions without the cumbersome task of unlocking every champion on multiple accounts.
During a community tour in France earlier this month, 2XKO’s executive producer Tom Cannon addressed fan questions and decided, almost on a whim, to share this development. “Setting up tournament venues can be tough,” he acknowledged. “We want it to be as hassle-free as possible. Imagine running a tournament seamlessly offline, without needing to jump through hoops just to access all the champions.”
Cannon continued with some exciting details: “You’ll be able to play the game offline. I hope that’s not too much of a spoiler! Tournament organizers will have the luxury of all champions unlocked, though not all content—skins and other extras won’t be included. This simple accessibility is key for us.”
This announcement is likely to be a game-changer for those hosting fighting game events. Always-online requirements present numerous challenges in such settings, like ensuring stable internet access and paying hefty fees. Plus, saving organizers from the tedious grind of unlocking characters across several accounts is invaluable. It’s a significant leap forward, ensuring the game remains competitively viable without unnecessary hurdles.
However, some questions remain unresolved, particularly concerning the interaction between this offline mode and Vanguard Anti-Cheat, Riot Games’ robust security measure. Vanguard requires an online presence, running with kernel-level access the moment a computer boots up. It’s unclear how this offline mode would operate alongside Vanguard, especially if accessed through the Riot Games launcher, similar to the current 2XKO Alpha Lab.
We’ve reached out to Riot Games for clarification on this issue and are awaiting their response.
Regardless, for the dedicated community eager to test their skills in person, this offline mode is a welcome addition. A word of caution, though—this feature might not roll out to the casual player base. Being a free-to-play game, 2XKO needs revenue streams, so this offline mode will likely remain a perk reserved for verified tournament organizers.
Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating development. And in the meantime, we’re curious—what do you think about the offline mode? Share your thoughts with us below!
