In a surprising turn of events, the beloved fighting game Killer Instinct is about to mark its 10th anniversary. The game, which originally debuted as a launch title for the Xbox One in November 2013, has remained a staple in the fighting game community, and developer Iron Galaxy has some exciting plans to commemorate this milestone.
A special anniversary stream announced
Iron Galaxy has revealed that they will be hosting a special Killer Instinct 10th-anniversary stream, where they will unveil significant updates for the game. This news comes as a delightful surprise for fans who have cherished the combo-heavy title over the years. The stream is scheduled to go live on Wednesday, November 22, at 1:00 PM PST/4:00 PM EST on the official Iron Galaxy Twitch channel.
During this year’s EVO 2023 event, both Iron Galaxy and Microsoft disclosed that Killer Instinct would receive one last substantial update to celebrate its decade-long journey. While the exact details of this update remain shrouded in mystery, some key features have been confirmed. Players can look forward to 4K resolution support for the Xbox Series X/Series S, matchmaking improvements, and much-needed fighter balancing.
A decade of Killer Instinct
Killer Instinct burst onto the scene in November 2013, captivating gamers as a launch title for the Xbox One. Initially developed by Double Helix Games, the title entered an exclusivity agreement with Microsoft. However, when Double Helix Games was acquired by Amazon, Microsoft reaffirmed its commitment to the game, entrusting its development to Iron Galaxy Studios.
Iron Galaxy, renowned at the time for its parody fighting game Divekick, took up the mantle and continued to expand the Killer Instinct universe. They released Season 2 in 2014 and Season 3 in 2016, introducing new fighters and keeping the game fresh for its dedicated community. In 2016, the game made its way to the PC platform, further broadening its player base.
As the 10th anniversary approaches, fans are eager to see what Iron Galaxy has in store for the beloved fighting game. While the core details of the upcoming update are shrouded in secrecy, the promise of 4K support for the latest Xbox consoles, enhanced matchmaking, and fighter balancing improvements has piqued the interest of both newcomers and seasoned players.
Killer Instinct may have taken a back seat in larger esports events like EVO, but its dedicated community has kept the flame alive. This 10th-anniversary celebration serves as a testament to the enduring passion and commitment of the game’s fanbase.
