Riot Games has decided to considerably reduce the development team for the 2XKO video game, a free fighting proposal inspired by the League of Legends universe.This decision comes a few weeks after the official launch of the game on consoles and PC, after an early access phase that failed to attract the expected number of players.
After launching 2XKO in early access for PC on October 7, 2025 and making its final release on January 20, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, Riot Games evaluated community participation in the new fighting game.According to executive producer Tom Cannon, although an enthusiastic fan base remained active, overall player numbers and in-game activity were not sufficient to sustainably keep the development team at its original size.For this reason, the company was forced to make the difficult decision to reduce its workforce and focus its efforts on improving the product using fewer human resources.
This restructuring affects developers and employees who, in some cases, have been dedicated to the development of the project for years, as reported by former producer Patrick Miller, who reported having received the news of his departure just 30 minutes in advance, after being linked to the project for approximately a decade.
Riot Games maintains that the well-being of affected employees is a priority, and has stressed that it tries to relocate them to other teams within the company whenever possible.For those who cannot join new projects, the company has established a severance package that includes at least six months’ salary and the corresponding notice.Tom Cannon also publicly acknowledged the value and effort of the team that realized the creative vision of 2XKO, stressing that the staff reduction does not represent a negative evaluation of the individual quality of its members, but rather responds to economic and participation challenges following the game’s launch.
These separations raise concerns about job stability in the video game industry, where even large studios such as Riot Games adopt drastic measures in the face of commercial results that do not meet expectations.Uncertainty increases after statements from employees such as Miller, who highlighted the short notice period prior to his dismissal, in contrast to the financial support announced by the company.These events revive the debate about job security and common practices in the technology sector, affecting the morale of those who depend on the continuity of successful projects in leading companies.
Despite the staff reduction, Riot Games stated that its plans for the 2XKO Competitive Series 2026 remain unchanged.The company insists on its commitment to collaborating with local organizers and communities, consolidating events that already support the global fighting game scene.Likewise, RiotGames promised to announce its next projects for the game soon, putting emphasis on the improvements most requested by the gaming community.
For players and communities who trusted 2XKO, this announcement represents a moment of reflection on the ability of new releases to position themselves against established titles, even when supported by deep-pocketed publishers like Riot Games.The case highlights the instability in the sector and its direct impact on developers and users, while it is hoped that a more focused strategy will revitalize the interest and growth of the player base in the near future.
