The closed beta for Riot’s anticipated tag fighter, 2XKO, appears to be progressing exceptionally well, prompting a swift transition to a wider release. Developers at Riot have announced that the closed beta will conclude a few days early on October 3 at 9 p.m. PT to prepare for the game’s next exciting phase. This brief downtime is crucial to ensure everything is perfectly aligned for the upcoming early access launch, scheduled for October 7 at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. BST. While the online servers will be temporarily offline, players can still dive into offline modes to hone their skills in the lab, enjoy local multiplayer, or challenge CPUs. This quick, few-day transition is a minimal wait, especially when we consider other titles like the fighting game Multiversus, which paused its beta for an entire year.
Teemo’s Debut in 2XKO: A Devious New Champion and His Playstyle
Alongside the scheduling news, Riot officially unveiled the tenth champion joining the roster of 2XKO: none other than the infamous League of Legends mascot, Teemo. 
Living up to his notorious reputation, Teemo has been meticulously designed as an absolute terror within the fighting game genre. His playstyle is a frustrating yet strategic combination of a **zoner** and a **trap character**. He expertly utilizes his signature **blow darts** and exploding **mushrooms** to effectively control space and maintain distance from his opponents. Furthermore, Teemo can strategically lay down **grass patches** on the battlefield, which he can then use to teleport rapidly, enabling solid mixups and keeping his opponents constantly on their toes.
The reveal trailer for Teemo is packed with a humorous and strikingly self-aware tone, demonstrating that Riot truly understands the character’s controversial status among players. Partway through the trailer, a fake Twitch-style chat cleverly appears, filled with comments ranging from enthusiastic “2XKO SAVED” to skeptical “this game is cooked,” perfectly capturing the community’s famously divided reaction. The developers are clearly embracing Teemo‘s reputation as a mischievous gremlin. The trailer culminates in a brilliant and respectful reference to **Evo Moment 37**, one of the most legendary moments in the fighting game community’s history, solidifying 2XKO‘s appeal to dedicated fans of the genre and showcasing Riot’s commitment to its roots.