The new season of “Killer Instinct” kicks off Oct. 15 with the base game and two fighters, but what you see on Day One is not the full game – it will evolve and grow significantly over time as we continually add new features, content and characters all the way to spring 2015.

On launch day, you can download the base game free of charge on the Xbox One store on your console, or via the Xbox Live website. You’ll notice the game has an all-new interface and you’ll be able to play our first “Season 2” fighters – TJ Combo and Maya. Just like “Killer Instinct: Season 1,” Iron Galaxy will provide free character for you to play that we’ll rotate each week. You can also engage in online combat against any of the “Season 1” characters, or the new Season 2 characters as we unveil them one by one each month.

This season, Ultratech, the shadowy corporation that hosts the Killer Instinct tournaments, steps into the light. ARIA, Ultratech’s enigmatic CEO, unleashes some of their most powerful creations into the fray, including two highly-requested classic characters from the original Killer Instinct arcade games. But that’s not all Ultratech is up to – their drive for perfection in all things has resulted in a new, streamlined interface and improved visual fidelity across the entire game.

As with Season 1, players can download the full game for free and play a free rotating character each week. As soon as you start it up, you can play all game modes, even online multiplayer matches against the entire Killer Instinct community, with the free character. If you already have Killer Instinct: Season 1 downloaded, you’re ahead of the game and the Season 2 feature updates will download to your profile automatically.

Improvements to Killer Instinct: Season 2 make it easier for new players to challenge opponents and customize their characters, but that classic experience is still intact – mastering the whole lineup of combos is a challenging task that takes time and practice. Take advantage of the acclaimed Dojo mode to master the secrets of combat.

In addition to the same action-packed experience fans loved in the first season, the team is adding several key enhancements for Season 2:

• Eight New Characters – Both Original and Returning: Longtime fans of the franchise will be happy to see that TJ Combo and Maya are joined by the cybernetic dinosaur Riptor and the blazing human effigy Cinder as playable characters this season. Along with the returning classics, all-new characters are coming to Killer Instinct: Season 2, including an ancient Babylonian sorcerer, an avenging ghost, a battle-hardened war golem, and more.
• Sleek New Interface: Ultratech’s influence this season extends even to the interface, making navigating and interacting with the game more intuitive. Faster character access, better stat tracking, and a new experience system makes the entire experience of Killer Instinct even better.
• New Moves and Rebalance: The entire Season 1 cast has been rebalanced for Season 2, adding new techniques and abilities to their already formidable arsenals of moves. With the arrival of an entirely new set of combatants to go against, these new toys will certainly come in handy.
• Enhanced Combo System: The new “aerial recapture” option gives select characters the ability to catch an opponent in the air and slam them back to the ground to continue their combo. Juggling air attacks has been increased, but the addition of Air Breakers and Air Counter-Breakers mean that there’s always two-way interaction in a combo for both players.
• New Progression System: The ranking and leveling system for Season 2 now allows the fiercest fighters to earn costumes, accessories and other badges of honor faster than before. Now, all individual characters will have levels in addition to the overall player level. Every mode you play contributes to both character and player level, and “Fight Challenges” help players rack up experience points (XP) every time they complete a rank.

This launch week, all fans will have access TJ Combo as the free playable character. TJ Combo is a fantastic choice for new and experienced players with his great combos, fluid movement and real sense of power right from the start.

Also joining the roster this week isMaya, the badass monster hunter that wields the ancient daggers, “Temperance” and “Vengeance.” Her fast-paced blade-juggling combat style lets her power up her daggers the more they’re blocked, leading to increasingly devastating attacks and mix-ups against her opponents.

How can you get in on the action? As in the first season, fans will have access to two bundled offerings, including the Combo Breaker Pack and the mega-packed Ultra Edition.

Killer Instinct: Season 2 – Ultra Edition ($39.99/£34.99/€39.99)

The Ultra Edition includes all eight Season 2 fighters, starting with the release of TJ Combo and Maya on launch day with the remaining six Season 2 fighters rolling out on a monthly basis starting in November. Fans receive 16 accessory sets and 8 exclusive costumes designed by Kevin Bayliss, art director for the original Killer Instinct arcade games, in addition to Killer Instinct 2 Classic (ESRB: M “Mature”), a perfect port of the 1996 arcade game with full multiplayer support over Xbox Live and 1000 Gamerscore to earn. Even more, owners of the Season 2 Ultra Edition will get initial access to characters and customization items before they’re available to Combo Breaker Pack owners or for individual sale starting in November.

Killer Instinct: Season 2 – Combo Breaker Pack ($19.99/£16.99/€19.99)

Purchase all eight fighters up front at a significant discount over the individual character price. Play TJ Combo and Maya immediately on launch day, with the remaining six Season 2 fighters rolling out on a monthly basis.

Killer Instinct: Season 2 Characters a-la-carte ($4.99/£3.99/€4.99)

Individual characters from the Season 2 roster will be available for purchase after they have been released for both the Ultra Edition and Combo Breaker Pack. Characters will appear on a regular schedule for you to purchase, starting with TJ Combo and Maya.