Rivals 2 just delivered massive community win. Steam Workshop Beta launched January 13, 2026 – two weeks into planned 2026 rollout – bringing custom character creation to the platform fighter sequel. Players download Armando example fighter instantly while creators grab full modkit featuring Clairen template.
Aether Studios surprised fans with early delivery. Summer 2025 roadmap targeted full Workshop for later this year, but Beta v1 focuses custom characters first. Stages, skins follow after creator feedback shapes tools. Live Q&A sessions, documentation updates planned throughout January.
Workshop Beta v1 Features
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Custom Characters | Live – Armando example available |
| Modkit (Clairen) | Downloadable now |
| Workshop Lobbies | Online play supported |
| Stages | Post-beta roadmap |
| Skins | Post-beta roadmap |
How to Jump In
- Right-click Rivals II → Properties → Betas tab
- Select “Workshop Beta” branch
- Steam auto-downloads update
- Subscribe Armando on Workshop
- Access via Character Select gear icon
Workshop Lobbies enable online play. Friends auto-download characters session-only when joining matches. Local versus supported immediately.
Rivals 1 Workshop Legacy
First game thrived on community content:
- Workshop powered casual playerbase
- Custom characters dominated YouTube videos
- Competitive scene embraced balanced mods
- Regular tool updates with patches
Rivals 2 recreates formula with improved tooling. Beta feedback shapes final systems before stages/skins arrive.
Creator Support Planned
- January 15 Q&A (1pm ET)
- TWITCH.tv/RivalsOfAether + YouTube
- Nolt board for feature voting
- rivals2.com/workshop documentation
- Bug fixes through La Reina patch
Community Reaction
Reddit excitement mixed with surprise:
“Workshop alone made up incredibly large portion of Rivals of Aether 1’s casual player base”
“Exhilarating time for the game! Casual player base nearly absent currently”
AsumSaus timing perfect – YouTuber called Rivals 2 “fantastic but nightmare for non-Melee players” hours before Workshop dropped.
FAQs
Full release date?
No firm target. Workshop accelerates casual appeal ahead of 1.0. Competitive focus continues alongside community tools.
Cross-platform Workshop?
Steam exclusive currently. Console versions planned post-1.0 with potential Workshop ports.
Balance concerns?
Separate Workshop Lobbies from ranked. Competitive scene unaffected. Casual play embraces imbalance.
Monetization plans?
Free core game. Cosmetic bucks earned through events. Workshop content creator-supported, no paywalls.
La Reina impact?
Upcoming character release unaffected. Workshop Beta launches alongside content cadence.
Future content types?
Stages, skins post-characters. Items, casual modes 2026 roadmap. Full parity with Rivals 1 eventually.
Playtest requirements?
Open to all Steam owners. No invites needed. Switch beta branch, subscribe characters, play.
Community Golden Age Returns
Rivals 2 Workshop Beta reignites what made original legendary. Custom characters drove casual adoption, YouTube virality, endless replayability. Aether Studios delivers ahead of schedule, proving community-first development works.
Armando joins roster day one. Creator seminars build knowledgebase. Nolt voting shapes roadmap. Rivals 2 transitions from competitive darling to platform fighter everyone’s playing. Workshop era begins – casual playerbase returns.