Riot Games has unleashed a brand-new cinematic trailer for its upcoming tag-team fighter 2XKO, and it’s already turning heads across the fighting game and League of Legends communities. Titled Ties That Bind, the four-minute trailer pairs stunning animation with powerhouse vocals from Courtney LaPlante, the lead singer of Canadian metal band Spiritbox.
The cinematic showcases a series of high-octane fights featuring some of the game’s most recognisable champions, including Ekko, Ahri, and Yasuo. LaPlante’s track sets the tone perfectly as the cinematic unfolds, intense, emotional, and full of Riot’s signature flair for storytelling through music. Fans can stream Ties That Bind now across major platforms like Spotify.
Warwick Joins the Roster
The trailer also confirmed something fans have been speculating for weeks: Warwick, the monstrous experiment from Zaun, is officially joining 2XKO’s roster. In the cinematic, Warwick teams up with Yasuo to take on Ekko and Ahri in a fast-paced 2v2 battle, giving players a first taste of his fighting style and synergy.
The reveal didn’t come as a total surprise, though. Just a few days earlier, Riot accidentally leaked Warwick’s addition to the roster through its Brazilian 2XKO account, a slip that had already sent the community buzzing. We covered that story in detail in our earlier piece, Riot Games Accidentally Leaks Warwick as 2XKO’s Next Playable Character, which hinted this announcement was right around the corner.
By the end of the cinematic, sharp-eyed viewers also spotted cameos from Blitzcrank and Illaoi, suggesting more champion reveals might be on the way.
From Project L to 2XKO
Originally unveiled as Project L, 2XKO is Riot Games’ first full leap into the fighting game genre. It reimagines iconic League of Legends and Arcane characters for the 2v2 arena, allowing players to either control both fighters solo or team up for true duo play. The game promises fast-paced, combo-heavy action with accessible controls, something both hardcore FGC veterans and casual League fans can enjoy.
With the game’s closed beta wrapping up on October 7, 2025, Riot has confirmed that 2XKO will enter Early Access the same day on PC. The launch will include a full season of content such as combo trials, a ranked ladder system, and battle passes.
For console players, Riot also revealed that 2XKO will be coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, complete with cross-platform progression so players can keep their progress across systems.
Building the Competitive Scene
Riot isn’t stopping at launch content either. Through its First Impact initiative, the company plans to sponsor 22 community-led tournaments around the world, including appearances at major gaming events like DreamHack. It’s clear that Riot wants 2XKO to hit the ground running as a serious esports title from day one.
Arcane-Inspired Starter Pack
Adding to the hype, Riot recently announced the Ultra Starter Pack, featuring new Arcane-inspired skins for Vi, Ekko, and Jinx. These skins will launch alongside Early Access and are set to celebrate 2XKO’s connection to the wider League of Legends universe.
With a cinematic as visually stunning as Ties That Bind and a soundtrack that’s pure adrenaline thanks to Courtney LaPlante, Riot Games is setting the stage for 2XKO to be one of the biggest fighting game launches of the year.