Riot Games’ 2XKO Team Cut in Half After Sluggish Launch Performance

Riot Games’ 2XKO has seen its development team reduced by roughly half after the fighting game failed to meet internal expectations following its PC and console launch. The layoffs affect around 80 developers and were confirmed by the company on February 9. Riot says development on 2XKO will continue with a smaller team.

The decision comes just weeks after the game’s full release, as player activity and growth did not reach projected levels. Riot stated that affected employees will receive at least six months of severance or notice pay, along with opportunities to apply for other internal roles when available.

A Sudden Reshaping of the 2XKO Development Effort

Riot Games acknowledged that 2XKO struggled to gain the traction the company had anticipated after launch. Both the PC debut and the subsequent console release failed to generate sustained player momentum. As a result, leadership opted to significantly reduce the size of the team responsible for ongoing development.

According to Riot, roughly half of the original 2XKO development staff are impacted by the layoffs. The studio said the first half of the year will focus on internal restructuring and selective hiring, while the remaining team continues work on the game’s roadmap.

The company emphasized that support for affected staff would exceed standard industry practices. Riot confirmed six months of pay or notice, alongside internal placement options, as it attempts to reassign talent where possible. Despite those measures, the timing of the layoffs has drawn criticism from parts of the gaming community.

Community Response and Questions Around the Game’s Direction

Reaction from players and developers online has been mixed. Some fans questioned the decision to scale back so soon after release, arguing that new fighting games often require extended post-launch support to find their audience. Others pointed to limited awareness around the launch itself, with some players saying they believed 2XKO was still in a beta phase.

Criticism has also focused on the game’s content and presentation. Players highlighted the relatively small character roster at launch and expressed dissatisfaction with the in-game monetization structure. Concerns were raised that the free-to-play model was not clearly communicated or compelling enough to compete in a crowded fighting game market.

There has also been debate around accessibility choices. Riot designed 2XKO to lower the barrier for new players, but some long-time fighting game fans felt the simplified mechanics reduced depth. Others argued that clearer marketing and stronger visual character design were missing at launch.

Riot Games maintains that 2XKO is not being abandoned. The studio says the game will move forward with a smaller, more focused team, and its planned 2026 competitive events remain on schedule. For Riot Games’ 2XKO, the coming months will test whether a scaled-down approach can stabilize the project and rebuild player confidence.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Why did Riot Games reduce the 2XKO development team?

Riot Games said player activity and growth after launch did not meet internal projections. The company decided to reduce the team size to align development with current performance.

How many developers were laid off from Riot Games’ 2XKO team?

Approximately 80 developers were affected. Riot confirmed this represents about half of the original 2XKO development team.

Is Riot Games ending development on 2XKO?

No. Riot stated that 2XKO development will continue with a smaller team, and planned competitive events for 2026 are still moving forward.