The gaming industry continues to grapple with a challenging economic climate, as Riot Games becomes the latest major player to announce significant job cuts. The developer behind global phenomena like
League of Legends and Valorant
has confirmed the layoff of approximately 80 individuals from the global development team of its upcoming pair-based fighting game,
2XKO. This constitutes a staggering 50% reduction in the team’s workforce.
A Shifting Landscape for 2XKO
The news comes shortly after 2XKO‘s console launch last month, a critical period for any new title. Executive Producer Tom Cannon addressed the difficult decision in a recent blog post, shedding light on the factors that led to the restructuring.
Player Engagement and Momentum Under Scrutiny
“As we expanded from PC to console, we saw consistent trends in how players were engaging with 2XKO,” Cannon stated. While acknowledging that “The game has resonated with a passionate core audience,” he candidly admitted that “overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term.” This suggests that despite a dedicated fanbase, the broader player adoption and sustained interest required for a large-scale development effort were not met.
Future Plans and Employee Support
Despite the substantial team reduction, Cannon assured the community that Riot Games’ ambitions for 2XKO‘s competitive future remain unchanged. The company’s plans for the 2026 competitive season are reportedly still on track, indicating a continued commitment to the game’s esports potential, albeit with a leaner development structure.
In a move to mitigate the impact on affected employees, Riot Games has pledged to assist those laid off in finding new roles within the company where possible. This internal redeployment effort aims to retain talent and provide support during this challenging transition.
The Broader Industry Trend
These layoffs at Riot Games are unfortunately not an isolated incident but rather reflect a broader trend sweeping across the video game industry. Numerous studios, from indie developers to AAA giants, have announced job cuts in recent months, citing various reasons including market saturation, post-pandemic adjustments, and economic pressures. The situation at
2XKO
serves as another stark reminder of the volatile nature of game development and the constant need for projects to demonstrate strong, sustainable growth.
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