Riot Games has announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 80 roles globally from the development team of its newly launched tag-team fighting game, 2XKO. The decision comes less than a month after the game's release, which garnered positive reviews but failed to reach sustainable player engagement. Producer Tom Cannon highlighted the team's dedication and acknowledged the need to operate with a more focused group to implement essential improvements based on player feedback. Riot remains committed to supporting the fighting game community and plans to maintain its 2026 Competitive Series.

What led to the layoffs at 2XKO's development team?

The layoffs were initiated due to the game's inability to achieve the necessary level of player engagement to justify a larger development team. Despite having a loyal core audience, the game's performance did not meet expectations for long-term support.

2XKO, released on October 7, 2025, is a free-to-play 2v2 tag-team fighting game that emphasizes accessibility and fun, addressing common challenges faced in the genre. It was introduced at The Game Awards 2025, showcasing Riot Games' venture into a new gaming realm. The game's promising mechanics received an 8/10 rating, indicating a solid foundation, but ongoing player preferences will determine its future viability.