The wait for Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game just got a bit longer. Developer Gameplay Group International and publisher PM Studios are pushing the release back by three weeks to squeeze in some unexpected extras.
This 1v1 2D fighter draws from Avatar: The Last Airbender, the massively popular animated series. The team describes the project as being “rooted in the spirit of elemental mastery.” According to its official description, the game is “Designed for both newcomers and veterans, it channels the energy of classic fighting games while breaking new ground in movement, style, and combat expression. Built with a focus on fluidity, responsiveness, and online integrity, the game invites players to discover what it truly means to fight with purpose. Hand-drawn in 2D, it is crafted to preserve the style and expressive animation of the original series.”
The original July 2 launch date has shifted to July 23. Gameplay Group explained the move in a statement:
“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 kept quiet on what exactly this bonus material entails. Anyone who pre-orders on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, or PC through Steam will still get something to do on the old release date, though. Beta access runs July 2 through July 5.
Gameplay Group also said, “We can’t wait for you to master the elements and see how the Four Nations have come to life. Thank you for your patience and continued support!”
The roster will feature 12 playable characters at launch, with additional fighters coming through a seasonal release structure. Support characters can be selected to “influence your fighting style and grant special moves.” The game also introduces a “Flow System” built around “movement centric” combat. Solo players get a single-player “campaign” with an original story, plus combo trials, a gallery mode, and what the developers call “best in class” netcode. For more on the latest gaming news, check out the recent PlayStation State of Play June 2026 Recap which covered major reveals for the platform.
Victor Lugo, who previously served as lead designer at Iron Galaxy on Killer Instinct, founded Gameplay Group alongside Philip Mayes. Mayes formerly ran Australian studio Mighty Kingdom, which built its reputation on licensed titles. The Avatar fighting game actually started life at Swedish company Maximum Entertainment, which quietly canceled it in 2024 according to a financial report. Maximum Entertainment never replied when asked for comment. Gameplay Group later acquired the project to bring it back from the dead.
Maximum Entertainment may ring a bell for less welcome reasons. Its publishing label, Modus Games, abruptly stopped development on 2D fighter Them’s Fightin’ Herds, drawing heavy criticism from the community. The company has since faced financial difficulties, executive departures, and legal claims against former board members.
Several recognizable fighting game industry figures passed through Maximum Entertainment during the Avatar project’s earlier incarnation. Mike Zaimont stands out as the most prominent. He directed design on Skullgirls and later held the same title at Maximum Entertainment, though he had previously faced sexual harassment allegations during his time heading Lab Zero Games. He subsequently worked on Diesel Legacy: The Brazen Age, a 2v2 indie fighter from Modus Games, the same label behind Them’s Fightin’ Herds. Gameplay Group now publishes all three titles: Diesel Legacy, Them’s Fightin’ Herds, and Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game.
