Riot Games Scales Back League of Legends Fighting Game

Riot Games has begun reducing the size of the team dedicated to its free-to-play fighting game, 2XKO. Launched in early access on PC in October and recently on consoles, the game is now facing a shift in its development resources.

Executive producer Tom Cannon explained that the decision stems from player engagement trends observed as the game expanded from PC to console. He noted that while 2XKO resonates with a dedicated core audience, its overall momentum has not reached the threshold required for long-term support of the current team size. Consequently, the team is being reshaped for a more sustainable path forward.

Approximately 80 employees, making up less than half of the 2XKO development staff, are being impacted by these changes. Riot Games is providing support to affected staffers, including assistance in finding new internal positions or offering six months of notice pay and severance if external placement isn't possible. This move reflects Riot's broader strategy to focus more on its core live games and navigate the competitive market for live service titles.