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Riot Cuts Roughly Half of 2XKO Team Weeks After Console Launch

Riot says post-console player momentum fell short of sustaining a larger team.

Overview

  • About 80 employees, roughly half of the game's global development group, were let go, according to a Riot spokesperson.
  • A smaller team will continue updating 2XKO and pursue key improvements, with plans for the 2026 Competitive Series unchanged and partnerships with tournament organizers maintained.
  • Impacted staff are being considered for roles elsewhere at Riot, with a minimum of six months of notice pay and severance for those who are not placed internally.
  • Some former developers reported abrupt notice of termination, including ex-producer Patrick Miller saying he received 30 minutes, prompting visible concern in the fighting-game community.
  • The reduction comes less than a month after the January 20 launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox, capping a multi-year effort that began as Project L.