An interview with Creative Director Mike Henry (@zatransis) at the 2XKO booth during EVO Japan 2026 presented by Levtech, which was held at Tokyo Big Sight from Friday, May 1, to Sunday, May 3, 2026!
We asked him all about the respective appeal of single play and duo play, as well as his thoughts on each tournament!
Interview With 2XKO Creative Director Mike Henry!
― Please introduce yourself.
Mike Henry: My name is Mike Henry.
I have been involved in this project for nearly six years. Originally, I was the art director, but now I am the creative director.
I am in charge of art, audio, and the game's story, among other things.
My favorite champions are Akali and Ahri.
― Have you ever been to Japan before?
Mike Henry: I have been here twice.
― What do you like about Japan?
Mike Henry: Since I was a child, my father made me watch Japanese period dramas, and that is how I got into Japanese culture.
Stemming from that, I also really love anime, tea ceremony, and Zen. It is the best that I can absorb all of it when I am in Japan, and I want to live here someday.
― Did you participate in any events?
Mike Henry: Basically, I absolutely come to EVO Japan.
In the first place, I really love Japan, so working on this project allows me to make up various excuses to come to Japan (laughs).
I would love to visit for a vacation later this year as well.
― Do you have any impressions of EVO Japan compared to EVOs in other regions?
Mike Henry: There are many differences, but a major one is the culture.
I believe that the concentration players possess when they face a game is universal across the world.
Usually, everyone is a friend and on good terms, but the part where they become rivals during a match is what I really love about the fighting game community.
― Before EVO Japan, there was Frosty Faustings XVIII 2026. How do you feel looking back at it?
Mike Henry: It was incredibly exciting and fun!
It was the first time we could actually see the players' reactions at a tournament, and I was also happy to see the play of bleed (@bleedBTW) and the reactions of all the fans.
At the same time, by receiving feedback, I believe we were able to re-examine our game.
― What kind of feedback did you receive?
Mike Henry: The biggest thing was that regarding something we had scheduled to adjust, we received comments saying, "I really love how it is right now, so please do not adjust it."
When we looked at it again after receiving that opinion, we thought that if everyone loves this part that much, then we stopped making the adjustment.
― At Frosty Faustings XVIII 2026, SonicFox placed 5th in duo, and from Japan, 2WINz advanced. What were your thoughts on that?
Mike Henry: 2WINz (@2WINz25) are twins, so I was thrilled wondering what kind of play they would show and what kind of synergy would be born.
In particular, I am happy that they are stepping one pace deeper into 2XKO to think about strategies.
Also, there is a sense of anticipation regarding what kind of bond is born when mere friends form a team.
Seeing the two of them play in perfect synchronization really resonates with my heart.
Wonderful players like SonicFox (@SonicFox) and Inzem (@INZEM2) are also dedicating a lot of time.
Even though each of them is sufficiently strong individually, it is a surprise in a way to see top-tier players team up to show even more wonderful team play.
― EVO Japan is the second major tournament for 2XKO, and it is the first one in the Asian region.
Mike Henry: When a tournament is held in a different region, it is highly thrilling to see how players in each region utilize the characters and the game mechanics.
It is mysterious and unique how the playstyle changes for each region, isn't it?
I really love traveling to each region and witnessing each style of play.
Also, since many players from all over the world have gathered this time, it is fun to see the Eastern and Western playstyles clashing fiercely.
That is truly something special, and it gives us a lot of insights.
― Please tell us about the appeal of Mixed Mode (a tournament format where single play and duo play coexist).
Mike Henry: We love Mixed Mode.
Single and duo have different ways of playing and developing strategies, and scenes where two people pull off mind-boggling combos while syncing in duo are truly wonderful, aren't they?
One brain and two brains competing against each other produces truly interesting results.
This is also a part we anticipated during the development stage, but seeing it realized in an actual environment is an extremely good thing, and it feels rewarding for us as well.
― Lastly, please give a message to those who do not know about 2XKO yet.
Mike Henry: With 2XKO, even when playing single against each other, information processing is tough and you have to do complex things simultaneously.
Both systems and characters are abundant, and I think the ability to process this much information quickly is a truly amazing ability that all players possess.
In addition, duo requires two people to divide roles for the exact same information, which is a completely different challenge and a truly wonderful thing.
Because you have to respond instantly to your partner's actions, I think you can see the battle situation changing visibly on the screen.
If you also pay attention to the differences between single play and duo play, you will be able to deeply understand the development of the matches.
Please look forward to it and enjoy!