Riot Games’ foray into the fighting game genre with 2XKO is hitting a significant roadblock as players voice their frustration over the steep cost of in-game cosmetics. Despite the long-awaited transition from the “Project L” era to a full release on PC, the conversation surrounding this tag-based fighter has shifted rapidly from its mechanical depth to the perceived “outrageous” pricing of its character skins and bundles. The community response suggests that while the game is free-to-play, the barrier to entry for personalization is proving too high for the average fan.
The controversy centers on the premium shop, where individual character skins and bundled content have debuted at price points that many in the fighting game community (FGC) find indefensible. Within days of the game’s launch, social media platforms and community forums have been flooded with critiques, with some players going as far as to label the purchase of these items as “embarrassing” due to the high costs. This friction highlights a growing divide between the monetization strategies common in Riot’s other titles, like League of Legends and Valorant, and the expectations of a competitive fighting game audience.
Historically, Riot Games has successfully utilized a free-to-play model to build massive player bases, relying on high-quality cosmetics to fund ongoing development. However, the 2XKO rollout indicates that the FGC may be less forgiving of aggressive pricing structures than MOBA or tactical shooter players. The critique isn’t just about the dollar amount; it’s about the perceived value of these digital assets in a 2v2 tag environment where visual clarity and character identity are paramount.
As Riot continues to expand the 2XKO roster with familiar faces from the Runeterra universe, the pressure to adjust the economy is mounting. Whether the developer will pivot in response to this early outcry remains to be seen. For now, the sentiment among the player base is clear: the current cost of style in 2XKO is a heavy hit that many are unwilling to take. Detailed pricing breakdowns and further community reactions can be found in the original report by Game Rant.
