During Game Developers Conference 2026, we had the chance to speak with Victor Lugo, founder of Gameplay Group. We chatted at Day of the Devs about the upcoming fighter Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game. The project aims to bring the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender to life in a competitive fighting game while staying true to the martial arts inspiration and lore that made the animated series beloved.
What is Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game
According to Lugo, the team’s goal was simple: create a fighting game that feels authentic to Avatar while remaining approachable for new players. The Avatar franchise has built a massive fan base over the past two decades, and the developers sought to capture the series’ spirit by translating its martial-arts–inspired bending styles into gameplay. Rather than just creating flashy moves, the team studied the martial arts choreography seen in the show and recreated that philosophy through the game’s combat system.
Classic Fighting Game Design with Modern Accessibility
One of the most interesting elements discussed in the interview was how Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game balances depth for competitive players with accessibility for newcomers.
The game uses a straightforward combat structure featuring:
- Low, medium, and high attack buttons
- A special Flow button that unlocks additional movement and mechanics
- Movement-based gameplay focused on positioning and timing
The Flow system allows players to perform actions such as:
- Enhanced movement options
- Auto parries
- Special attacks, when combined with other inputs
The goal is to create a system where new players can immediately perform exciting moves, while experienced fighting game players still find competitive depth.
Modes Beyond Competitive Play
The developers also confirmed that the game won’t focus solely on competitive multiplayer.
Planned features include:
- Story content tied to Avatar lore
- Arcade mode
- Tutorial systems for new players
- Multiple gameplay modes designed for both fighting game fans and Avatar fans
This approach aims to ensure that players who love the franchise but may not be experienced with fighting games still have plenty of content to enjoy.
Custom Engine, Rollback Netcode, and Crossplay
The game is being built on their own custom engine designed specifically for 2D fighting games.
Lugo also confirmed several features that competitive players expect from modern fighters:
- Rollback netcode
- Crossplay support
- High-resolution visuals inspired by the animated series
It seems the team has also placed a heavy emphasis on animation quality, stating they are pushing more animation frames than typical 2D fighters to recreate the fluid bending combat seen in the show.
Roster Plans and Release Window
Currently, 12 characters have been announced, with the possibility of additional fighters being added as development continues. While a specific release date has not yet been confirmed, the team is targeting a Summer launch window for Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game.
A Passion Project for Fighting Game Fans
When asked about the history of Avatar games, Lugo emphasized that the team’s focus is entirely on the future. The studio consists of developers who are passionate about both Avatar and fighting games, and that dedication is guiding the project as they work toward launch. As a fan of the series and Avatar lore, I’m excited to see what this game brings to the fans. We are definitely looking forward to this one.
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