One Last Weekend Warmup

Welcome back to the 30th and final Weekend Warmup.

Tomorrow, 2XKO’s social channels go into stasis as we release the final couple of bugfix patches, while many of the 2XKO Rioters move to other projects across the company. Patch notes will be available on the website.

I’ve been thinking about the shape of this entire year—and all the incredible things we’ve seen from the FGC—now the game has been in players’ hands for a while. I was originally going to write a light “Draggles’ Top 10 Moments” but that didn’t feel quite right. A retrospective “lessons learned” post feels too doomer for a community that is still hitting the lab and competing each week.

For this final episode, I’m going to zoom out beyond 2XKO. The gaming industry is evolving at an unfathomable pace, and as publishers we expect players to somehow keep up. After spending a few years working on 2X and learning how the scene works across the world, I wanted to make one request as the new chapters of the FGC are written.

You should invest in your community.

DIY FGC / Photo @liquidjulzz

So yes, it’s “support your locals”, but bear with me. 

It’s tempting to try and coalesce the FGC into one competitive-first, Evo-attending, fightstick-using monoculture, but this set of interconnected communities is brought together by each one’s unique threads. Whether your local FGC is down the street or entirely online, each local has its own rituals, language, legacy, star players, and regional nuance.

These spaces (physical and digital) are for growth, learning, competition, and celebration. As the world moves toward frictionless global connection, we lose out on opportunities to have textured conversations IRL (or through voice), building precious lifelong relationships. Cultivating places where that can happen safely takes work. If you’re reading the Weekend Warmup, you already care enough to go from a passive supporter to an active participant, so my ask: show up and help out.

A couple hours’ work, even as a one-off, has force-multiplying effects:

• If you’re an artist, you could help design flyers for your local in exchange for free entry (also luring organisers away from those genAI trypophobia burrito slop signs outside every food place in LA. Eurgh.)
• If you’re a creator, try hosting a meetup for your community at a local—it can be a way to connect to your fans while bringing more visibility to the events that keep the scene going.
• If you’re a TO looking for more players, consider presenting the bracket as one part of multiple things at your event to catch fence-sitting mid-skill players who are afraid of getting washed (also look into light targeted promotion on social media, it’s affordable and works!).
• If you’re a competitor, bring a friend. If you don’t have friends, make one at an event or a Discord server.

Battle By The Bar / Photo @AlbaCendros

As anyone planning any sort of event knows, bringing people together isn’t easy. If you’re not someone naturally disposed to be the group project leader, you may wonder if it’s still possible to make a difference. Some of my best memories of fighting games are because of the work of multiple individuals, not just the head TOs or event space owners. Equipment techs, broadcasters, social media managers, and graphic designers all play small but crucial roles that expand a scene’s potential.

At the end of the day, this genre thrives through its games and culture. But it’s people, not publishers or events, that keep that flame lit. Regardless of your game of choice, those relationships are irreplaceable, and worth nurturing. “Supporting your locals” is a great start, but investing in the people of the FGC must be the focus of the future. It’s our responsibility to look out for each other, and I hope that the incoming crop of FGC leaders share that vision. 

FGC Meetups / Photo @nickjabad

I can safely say that 2XKO really hit the mark when the work and passion of individuals in the community carried it to those heights. To those players: I hope you continue finding that passion in 2XKO, in other fighting games, or across whatever creative pursuit you follow next. On behalf of everyone at Riot: Thank you, your efforts mean a great deal to us, and we’re grateful for the time you spent with the game.

Upcoming Dates

• Nov 6: 2XKO comms end
• Nov 12: 1.3.3b minor balance and bugfix patch
• Nov 20-22: Battle Coliseum (2XKO Major event)
• Nov 27-29: MINDSET 2026 (2XKO Challenger event)
• (Optional) Early Dec: Patch 1.3.3c (bug fixes only)

Closing Thoughts

I started the Weekend Warmup to make your Thursdays just a little better and to keep up with the discussions in the FGC, even beyond 2XKO. It was valuable (and cathartic) to respond to current conversation, highlight the best of the community, and spotlight key stories from development. I’m glad we were able to check in so often.

Shoutouts to everyone who helped with the Weekend Warmup, particularly 2XKO writer Julia “juliwaves” Shen who edited almost every one. 

While it was briefer than any of us at Riot wanted, it’s been an honour to serve this community, and thank you to everyone who is, or has been, a part of it. May all your birthdays be happy and your weekends be warm for years to come. 

—@draggles