Just weeks after releasing 2XKO—a League of Legends-themed tag-team fighting game—Riot Games has announced significant cuts to the development team, letting go of about 80 developers, roughly half of the project’s staff. The layoffs were confirmed in a blog post from 2XKO executive producer Tom Cannon, who explained the decision as part of restructuring efforts due to lower-than-expected engagement since the game’s full launch on consoles on January 20, 2026.
2XKO first entered Early Access on PC in late 2025 before launching for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S earlier this year, building on nearly a decade of development by Riot. Although the title attracted a dedicated core audience, Riot stated that overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of its original size long term, prompting the reduction.
In the announcement, Cannon emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and that the remaining team will focus on addressing key improvements requested by the community. Riot also affirmed that plans for the 2026 Competitive Series and partnerships with fighting game organizers will continue despite the shift in team size.
Those affected by the layoffs will be offered job placement assistance within Riot where possible or provided with severance and at least six months of notice pay if they are unable to find new roles within the company. Riot underscored that this move reflects a broader strategy to create a more sustainable development path for 2XKO rather than indicating the end of its support.
The news has generated significant discussion within the gaming community, with some former staff and esports figures expressing concern over the abrupt changes so soon after the game’s launch. While 2XKO continues to receive content updates and competitive support, the recent downsizing highlights the challenges even major publishers face when expanding into new genres and platforms.
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