Riot Games Cuts 2XKO Development Team in Half Following Soft Launch
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Riot Games has laid off around 80 staff members from the 2XKO development team just three weeks after the free-to-play fighting game's launch, citing lower than expected player momentum.
Riot Games has reduced the development team for its free-to-play fighting game 2XKO by roughly half, resulting in the layoffs of about 80 staff members according to a recent report by Game Developer. Executive producer Tom Cannon addressed the cuts in an official statement, noting that the game failed to attract a large enough player base following its January 20 launch. Cannon explained that while the title connected with a dedicated core community, overall player momentum could not sustain a team of that scale over the long term. A smaller group will remain on the project to handle updates and support the 2026 Competitive Series.
The swift reduction highlights the severe hurdles studios face when trying to break into the competitive fighting game space. Even with the backing of Riot and the deep industry expertise of the Cannon brothers, who founded the Evo championship series, the genre remains fiercely competitive and historically difficult to crack. Developed over a decade including multiple reboots and a transition from PC to console, 2XKO faced heavy scrutiny from players over its roster size and mechanics. Breaking out of established genre strongholds is proving to be a continuous challenge for major publishers.
This outcome adds to a broader pattern at Riot as the company attempts to diversify beyond its foundational MOBA. While titles like Valorant and Teamfight Tactics found strong footing, other high profile efforts have met rocky fates, including the 2024 reset of its upcoming MMO and the 2025 cancellation of Hytale. Despite the painful downsizing, 2XKO is avoiding total cancellation, and the remaining crew intends to roll out key improvements. Players and industry watchers can read the full, original reporting over at Polygon.
Tags: Riot Games, 2XKO, Fighting Games, Esports, Industry News
Original article: Polygon