Riot Games, the developer behind titles like “League of Legends,” has reduced the size of the team working on its upcoming fighting game, “2XKO.” The company confirmed the layoffs impact approximately 80 employees, a move described as part of a strategic adjustment for the project’s long-term health.
The announcement was made internally and communicated publicly on the company’s official channels. Riot Games stated the decision was difficult but necessary to ensure the “2XKO” team operates sustainably and can deliver a high-quality experience upon release. The affected positions are primarily within the development team for the fighting game, which was previously known as “Project L.”
Context and Company Statement
Riot Games, a subsidiary of Chinese technology giant Tencent, is one of the world’s most prominent video game publishers. “2XKO” is a highly anticipated, free-to-play 2v2 team fighting game set in the popular “League of Legends” universe. The game has been in development for several years and has generated significant interest within the fighting game community through periodic public showcases.
In its official communication, the company emphasized that this decision was not a reflection of the team’s work or the game’s potential. Instead, leadership cited a need to focus the team’s scope and resources more sharply. Riot Games committed to providing support for the departing employees, including severance pay, career coaching, and assistance with job placement.
Industry-Wide Trend
This workforce reduction at Riot Games occurs within a broader context of widespread layoffs across the video game and technology sectors throughout 2023 and 2024. Numerous other major publishers and developers have undertaken similar restructuring efforts, citing economic pressures, post-pandemic course corrections, and a focus on operational efficiency.
The layoffs specifically targeting a single, un-released project highlight the intense scrutiny and pressure facing game development in the current market. High development costs and extended production cycles for AAA titles often lead studios to make difficult personnel decisions to manage budgets and project timelines.
Impact on 2XKO’s Development
Riot Games was quick to assert that the development of “2XKO” will continue despite the smaller team size. The company stated that the core vision for the game remains unchanged and that the restructuring is intended to create a more sustainable development path forward. No changes to the game’s announced 2025 release window were mentioned in the initial announcement.
The studio plans to continue its engagement with the fighting game community, with ongoing testing phases and updates expected. The reduction in team size, however, may lead to adjustments in the scale of certain features or the pace of content delivery post-launch, though the company has not specified any such details.
Looking Ahead
The immediate next steps involve the transition for the 80 affected employees, who will be leaving Riot Games. For the remaining “2XKO” development team, the focus will be on consolidating the project’s roadmap and continuing work toward the 2025 launch. The industry and player base will be watching closely for the game’s next public demonstration to gauge the impact of the restructuring on its development progress and final quality.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
