Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game will launch on July 23 instead of July 2, giving developer Gameplay Group International and publisher PM Studios time to add unannounced content that wasn't originally planned for the release.
The 1v1 2D fighting game based on Avatar: The Last Airbender will retail for $29.99 and feature crossplay support. Gameplay Group described the fighter as "rooted in the spirit of elemental mastery" and designed to appeal to both newcomers and veteran fighting game players. The hand-drawn animation preserves the visual style of the original animated series.
"To ensure Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game delivers the best possible experience at launch, we wanted to let you know that we're taking a little extra time to cook up an exceptional Avatar adventure, including brand new content previously unplanned," the publisher said in a statement. The company did not specify what this additional content includes.
The three-week delay gives fans a clearer picture of the game's scope. The title will ship with 12 playable characters, with more arriving through seasonal updates. Support characters can be selected to modify your fighting style and unlock special moves. A signature "Flow System" emphasizes movement-centric gameplay, while the single-player campaign features an original story separate from the anime.
Beta access opens July 2 through July 5 for anyone who pre-orders on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, or PC via Steam. Additional features include combo trials, a gallery mode, and what the developer calls "best in class" netcode for online play.
Gameplay Group picked up the project after Swedish firm Maximum Entertainment quietly canceled its version in 2024, according to financial filings. Maximum Entertainment never explained the cancellation and declined to comment when contacted. The company has faced significant troubles in recent years, including abruptly halting development on the 2D fighter Them's Fightin' Herds through its Modus Games label, sparking strong backlash from its player community. The publisher also dealt with executive departures and legal action against former board members.
Gameplay Group was co-founded by Victor Lugo, who previously served as lead designer on Killer Instinct at Iron Galaxy, and Philip Mayes, former managing director of Australian studio Mighty Kingdom. The new publisher has since acquired multiple fighting game titles, including Them's Fightin' Herds and the indie 2v2 fighter Diesel Legacy: The Brazen Age.
Author Emily Chen: "A three-week delay for mystery content feels smart for a licensed fighter trying to make a real splash, but the bar for this game just got considerably higher."
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