2XKO Introduces Offline Mode with Unlocked Champions for Tournament Organizers

It looks like 2XKO is making a move to make their game more accessible for tournament organizers by unveiling an offline mode, which will have all champions unlocked. This news, aimed at easing the organizational burden, particularly benefits those keen on running grassroots events without the hassle of grinding for champions across multiple accounts.

The announcement took place during a Q&A session on a 2XKO community tour in France earlier this month. Tom Cannon, the executive producer of 2XKO, initially seemed cautious about what to reveal. However, he decided to spill the details, saying, “I know it can be a pain to arrange numerous setups at a tournament. We don’t want to make it any harder than it already is. The goal is to let you run a tournament without needing an internet connection or jumping through hoops to unlock all the champions.”

He added, in a somewhat jesting manner, “So, here’s the plan. You’ll be able to enjoy this game offline. I hope that’s not a spoiler (laughs). This will allow tournament organizers to have complete access to all champions without going through the unlocking grind. Granted, not everything will be available; skins and some such won’t be enabled, but at least you can play the game offline during the tournament. That’s our main attraction.”

Supporting grassroots tournaments is a priority for 2XKO, and Cannon expressed a keen interest in feedback from this community, focusing on features that could enhance their events.

This development is likely to be well-received among those hosting competitive fighting game events. Normally, an online-only setup would pose challenges, including the need for a reliable internet connection at the venue, which often comes at a high cost for multi-day events. Additionally, having champions readily available without laborious unlocking processes is a significant advantage for organizers who otherwise would need to grind away to keep the matches fair and balanced.

Yet, there are some unanswered questions about how this new offline mode will coexist with Riot Games’ robust anti-cheat system, Vanguard. Vanguard kicks into gear with kernel-level access as soon as you start your computer and can’t be turned off with any Riot Games title running. There’s a potential conflict here since the offline mode, like other 2XKO tests, would likely launch through Riot’s own platform.

We’re still waiting for a reply from Riot Games to clarify this aspect, but even so, this feature is exciting for the dedicated competitive scene willing to travel and compete face-to-face. Let me throw in my personal take here—this mode probably won’t become mainstream among all players. For 2XKO, a free-to-play title, the offline mode is a way to serve the niche group of certified tournament hosts while still focusing on revenue from the general community.

For now, we’ll have to sit tight for more updates on this intriguing offline mode. What are your thoughts on it? Share your views below!