Riot Games Lays Off Half of 2XKO Team Just Weeks After Launch

Riot’s latest game, the fighting game 2XKO, had its 1.0 launch on PC and consoles on January 20th and layoffs are already happening. Riot Games earlier this week laid off roughly half of the game development team. Approximately 80 employees, according to a Riot spokesperson speaking to Game Developers.

Riot released a blog post with an update on the future of 2XKO to go along with the layoffs, executive producer Tom Cannon wrote when discussing the team's downsizing:

"After a lot of discussion and reflection, we are reducing the size of the 2XKO team. I want you to know that decision wasn't made lightly. As we expanded from PC to console, we saw consistent trends in how players were engaging with 2XKO. The game hasn't resonated with a passionate core audience, but overall momentum hasn't reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term. With a smaller, focused team, we're going to dig in and make key improvements to the game, including some of the things we've already heard you asking for. We'll share some of our plans soon."

Riot did add that their current plays for a 2026 competitive series remain unchanged. Stating they still plan to partner with tournament organizers and local communities that power the Fighting Games Community (FGC).

Did you ever try out 2XKO and what were your thoughts? Can 2XKO find a future in the genre or is the future bleak? Leave a comment down below and hop into our official GamerzTheory Discord.