How does 2XKO’s netcode work?

Netcode can make or break a fighting game, and that's why everyone is expecting 2XKO to offer the best experience possible.

If you have never played a fighting game before and are unaware of what netcode is, let us explain it quickly. Simply put, netcode is the method a fighting game uses to implement online play, according to the extensive Fighting Game Glossary by Infil.

Good netcode means that whenever you press a button, the server will register it without or with the minimum delay possible, ensuring that you and your opponent have a fair fight. If you don't understand how important it is for fighting games to deliver players' input consistently, watch the iconic Evo Moment 37. In case they were playing online instead with bad netcode, Daigo Umehara would have never pulled out that miraculous comeback against Justin Wong.

Most fighting games use delay-based netcode and rollback netcode. The former is generally easier to implement but doesn't deliver the input consistency that you expect from a fighting game. Rollback netcode, however, is difficult to implement but if done correctly, it makes players feel that they're playing their online games in an offline setting.

Riot Games said it'll use rollback netcode for 2XKO and gave a brief explanation of how the developers are tackling this important subject.

While Riot hasn't delved much into the technical details of 2XKO's netcode, the developer has made serious promises for the fanbase.

"We want the best online experience possible for 2XKO, so let's talk about netcode," Riot said in an official video ahead of 2XKO's Alpha Lab playtest. "Netcode is how game clients talk to the game server. You press a button and that input is sent over the network, so you and your opponent see the output in your game. [...] Your input timing matters a ton, the better the netcode the smoother your online experience feels. Our approach to roll back netcode applies some unique tech that Riot uses for games like League and VALORANT. It also includes dedicated servers and Riot direct our own hosting system."

From what it seems, Riot is already delivering a smooth experience during the Alpha Lab playtest, and hopefully 2XKO's netcode will only improve upon launch.

That's all for now. Stay tuned to esports.gg for more 2XKO news and guides.