Riot Games is halting updates for 2XKO, signaling strategic shifts while Genki introduces the customizable Manta controller, and Dave Bautista joins Amazon's God of War series.
Today’s gaming news highlights a significant shift for 2XKO, Riot Games’ free-to-play fighting game. As Gamespot reports, Riot Games announced it will cease active development on 2XKO in December 2026. The decision follows a period of close observation of the game’s performance which, despite an enthusiastic community, hasn’t met the company’s expectations for sustained development. This move suggests a strategic reevaluation within Riot Games regarding its support for non-League of Legends titles.
In hardware news, Genki has launched a new customizable controller, the Manta, through a Kickstarter campaign. Detailed in The Verge, the Manta features a unique design with a 2.9-inch screen and highly adjustable controls. This makes it a noteworthy entry into the market by catering to a growing demand for personalization in gaming peripherals, potentially setting a new standard for feature-rich controllers.
Shifting to entertainment, reports from Eurogamer indicate that actor Dave Bautista has signed on to play Kratos in Amazon’s upcoming live-action adaptation of God of War. This casting choice, following extensive rumors, could bring significant attention to the series, given Bautista’s popularity from roles in major film franchises. This adaption is part of a broader industry trend of high-profile video game adaptations moving to streaming platforms.
In other gaming releases, GameSpot mentions that the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 now includes Metal Gear Solid 4, previously unavailable on recent consoles since the PS3 era, offering longtime fans a much-anticipated chance to play the game on modern systems.
Elsewhere in the gaming world, GamesHub notes that “Mandate Order” has entered early access, blending city-building elements with wartime strategy. This hybrid gameplay aims to attract fans of both genres looking for a new twist.
While not all items among today’s news carry the same weight, the end of 2XKO’s development is the most significant, hinting at a reevaluation of Riot’s gaming portfolio as it gears up for future projects. Meanwhile, the presence of stars like Bautista in game adaptations indicates continued interest and investment in expanding the appeal of gaming IPs to broader entertainment formats.
