Riot Games has downsized the team working on its League of Legends-themed fighting game, 2XKO.
A blog post on February 9, which was written by 2XKO executive producer Tom Cannon, revealed that the difficult decision to downsize the team was made in response to emerging trends. While the game has resonated with a core audience, momentum has stagnated, and Riot Games is unable to support a full-size team long-term.
A Riot Games spokesperson told Game Developer that approximately 80 staff members were laid off, about half of the development team.
The post states that, with the smaller, “focused” team, they will still make key improvements to the game, including items players have already requested. It is reiterated that this is a shift in how the development team will operate, not a sign that “the journey is over” for the 2XKO team.
“This isn’t a judgment on individual Rioters or a signal that the journey is over. We’re reshaping the team to give 2XKO a more sustainable path forward,” Cannon wrote.
Riot Games Offering Support to Laid-Off 2XKO Staff
Furthermore, the blog noted that Riot Games will support staff through their transition, help them explore other opportunities within the company where possible, and provide at least 6 months of notice pay and severance where that’s not possible.
2XKO entered Early Access on PC on October 7, 2025, and launched across all platforms on January 20. Canon explained that during the console expansion, concerning player trends emerged.
Plans for the 2026 competitive series remain unchanged, and Riot will continue to focus on supporting events and organizers in local and broader communities.
Unfortunately, layoffs are currently a trend in the gaming industry. Ubisoft is undergoing a major restructuring, which has led to the cancellation of many projects, including the planned remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and a multiplayer Assassin’s Creed title.
Insider Gaming will continue to bring the latest updates on this story as more information becomes available.
Are you a 2XKO player? Sound off in our official Discord server. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
