Riot Games recently announced it is downsizing the 2XKO development team, leading to job losses for about 80 employees. According to Tom Cannon, the executive producer of 2XKO, the game has not reached the player engagement levels needed to justify a team of this size.
In his blog post, Cannon explained that while the game has found a passionate audience, it hasn’t gained enough traction following its transition from PC to consoles. This shift has prompted Riot to rethink its strategy, aiming to restructure the team for long-term sustainability.
Nearly half of the global development team has been affected by these layoffs. Riot is committed to supporting impacted employees by helping them explore new opportunities within the company and offering severance packages, including at least six months of pay.
2XKO is a free-to-play fighting game that has been in development since 2019. Initially dubbed Project L, it entered early access for PC in October 2025 and was released on consoles in January 2026.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time game studios have had to adapt to changing player dynamics. Historical trends show that many developers face similar challenges, especially during transitions to new platforms.
Recent research indicates that player engagement metrics are crucial for a game’s success. According to a study by the International Game Developers Association, about 70% of developers reported that player feedback directly influences their game’s development trajectory.
Social media has also lit up with reactions from fans and industry professionals, expressing concern about the layoffs and discussing the impacts on the game’s future. Many players are hopeful Riot can refocus and reenergize 2XKO moving forward.
For more on the current state of the gaming industry and insights on player engagement trends, check out credible sources like the Entertainment Software Association’s report, which offers detailed statistics and analysis.
