This Steampunk Fighting Game Arrives on Consoles January 20 — and It’s Free to Play
Riot Games is kicking off the year in a big way today with the launch of Season 1 of 2XKO. Set in the League of Legends universe and powered by the massive success of Arcane, this high-energy fighting game is ready to make its mark on the competitive fighting game scene.
Available on PC since October 2025, Riot Games’ free-to-play fighter 2XKO is officially entering its first season today and making its long-awaited console debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. For console players, this is the perfect moment to jump into a world where Piltover’s steampunk flair meets fast-paced, hard-hitting tag-team combat.
Image credit: Riot Games
A worldwide launch happening tonight, January 20–21
Riot Games has lined up a fully synchronized global release—meaning some fans may be in for a late night. The servers go live tonight at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, with launch times rolling out as follows:
- 8:00 PM ET tonight (January 20) for the U.S. East Coast
- 2:00 AM CET on January 21 for France and mainland Europe
- 1:00 AM GMT on January 21 in the UK
- 10:00 AM JST on January 21 for Japan and much of Asia
This synchronized launch ensures that players around the world will experience Season 1 at the same time, whether they’re on PC or jumping in for the first time on console. Riot Games has also confirmed full cross-play and cross-progression, allowing players to fight together and carry their progress seamlessly across platforms.
Caitlyn Kiramman brings sharpshooting style to the roster
The headline addition for Season 1 is Caitlyn Kiramman, the Sheriff of Piltover. A fan-favorite champion from League of Legends and a key character in Netflix’s hit series Arcane, Caitlyn arrives armed with her iconic hextech rifle and a playstyle unlike anything currently in the game. Her kit focuses on:
- Long-range pressure: controlling space with her rifle on the ground and in the air
- Zone control: setting traps such as bolas and bear traps to limit enemy movement
- Smart mobility: evasive rolls and jumping kicks for rapid repositioning
- Strong assist synergy: tools that pair especially well with close-range teammates
The launch trailer also highlights multiple alternate outfits for Caitlyn, including a sleek bodysuit with a ponytail and mask that contrasts with her classic top-hat look. With Arcane-inspired skins already available for Ekko, Vi, and Jinx, it’s easy to imagine Caitlyn receiving similar treatment soon.
A fighting system built for team-based action
2XKO stands out from traditional fighters thanks to its tag-team-focused combat system, built around two-character teams. In addition to standard 2v2 play, the game introduces Fuses—powerful modifiers that significantly alter match flow. The Juggernaut Fuse, for example, greatly boosts the main fighter’s damage while removing assists entirely, creating high-risk, high-reward situations.
The current roster features 11 playable characters, now joined by Caitlyn, each with a distinct identity and mechanics. Early access has already added Teemo and Warwick, along with major balance updates aimed at refining competitive play. Riot Games has confirmed that future seasons will continue to expand the roster with more champions from Runeterra.
A perfect entry point into Runeterra—starting today
For players who never quite connected with the MOBA format of League of Legends, 2XKO offers a more accessible way to explore Runeterra starting today. It delivers strategic depth without the steep learning curve of a traditional MOBA, while still reflecting Riot Games’ signature design. Best of all, the game is completely free-to-play, making it easy to jump in tonight.
With its console launch happening today and Season 1 officially underway, Riot Games is laying the foundation for what could become a major contender in the competitive fighting game space. All eyes are on tonight’s release to see whether 2XKO can shake up the genre the same way League of Legends once redefined MOBAs.
PlayStation 5, Riot Games, Steampunk games, Xbox Series X|S
