It’s been confirmed that 2XKO is introducing an offline mode where all champions are unlocked, a move that’s bound to delight grassroots tournament organizers. This new feature aims to address the frustrations of having to unlock champions across multiple accounts, allowing tournament creators to focus on the competition without worrying about grinding.
Earlier this month, during a community tour in France, 2XKO’s executive producer, Tom Cannon, casually announced the news in a lively Q&A session. Trying to gauge how much he should reveal, he paused for a moment before deciding to let the news slip, almost on a whim, with a light-hearted “yeah, why not.”
He acknowledged the difficulty of setting up numerous gaming systems for tournaments, emphasizing their intention to simplify the process. “We don’t want it to be a hassle. The aim is to have tournaments up and running without an internet connection or going through the trouble of unlocking champions,” he explained.
Cannon elaborated further, expressing hope that the mention of this offline capability wouldn’t spoil anything. He highlighted the convenience for tournament organizers, noting that while skins and other content might not be available, the ability to play the game offline during tournaments was a significant advantage. Their intention is clear—supporting grassroots tournaments and tweaking features based on feedback from organizers.
For those niche communities hosting fighting game events, this revelation is enormous. Previously, the requirement for constant internet access posed a logistical nightmare, involving securing stable internet connections and possibly incurring hefty usage fees. Not having to repeatedly unlock characters on numerous accounts is a godsend for organizers, saving them from the tedious process of preparing competitive-ready game setups.
However, this announcement does raise a question mark around how it will align with Vanguard Anti-Cheat, Riot Games’ own system that requires a constant online presence. Operating within the Riot ecosystem, games like League of Legends and Valorant necessitate Vanguard’s kernel-level access. If this offline mode goes live through the Riot Games launcher, as is the case with current 2XKO Alpha Lab tests, it could potentially conflict with Vanguard’s protocols.
We’ve reached out to Riot Games to seek clarification on this matter, but as of publishing this article, we’re still awaiting a response.
Despite the uncertainties, this feature offers a tantalizing prospect for the dedicated community eager to test their skills in real-world settings. However, I suspect the average player might not get access to this offline mode. Being a free-to-play title, 2XKO needs revenue from its player base, so it’s likely this feature will be reserved for verified tournament organizers.
Of course, we’ll be tuning in for more updates about this offline mode and what’s in store. What are your thoughts on this development? Feel free to share your opinion below!
