Riot Games has made the decision to lay off approximately 80 employees who were working on 2XKO, their recently launched fighting game.
Through a blog post, the company, known for creating League of Legends and Valorant, explained that these layoffs within the 2XKO team are part of a strategic shift towards a more focused development approach and competitive strategy moving forward.
The announcement came directly from Tom Cannon, the executive producer of 2XKO at Riot Games, in a heartfelt blog post.
“This decision was not taken lightly,” Cannon expressed. “As we transitioned from PC to console, we observed consistent player engagement patterns with 2XKO. While the game has attracted a dedicated core fan base, overall growth hasn’t reached the necessary level to sustain a team of this size in the long run.”
Additionally, sources close to the matter have informed The Esports Advocate that Riot was disappointed with the initial reception of the game following its January release.
Cannon also outlined future plans for enhancing the game and its competitive strategies for the year 2026.
“Our preparations for the 2026 Competitive Series remain unchanged. We are steadfast in our commitment to collaborating with tournament organizers and local communities. Our primary focus will be on supporting the events and organizers that drive the FGC forward.”
Lastly, Cannon assured that Riot will assist the affected employees with benefits such as “6 [six] months of notice pay and severance,” as well as opportunities to transition into available roles within Riot where feasible.
Riot’s free-to-play 2v2 fighting game officially debuted on January 20 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC.