The launch of 2XKO, a 2v2 fighting game offered for free by Riot Games, was not enough to secure its trajectory. Less than thirty days after the game’s official release, the studio announced the layoffs of approximately 80 people worldwide, representing nearly half of the development team.
Producer Tom Cannon spoke out to justify this decision, which he describes as “difficult to share.” Despite an honorable start and “a hard core of passionate fans”, the commitment to the game would not make it possible to maintain a team of this magnitude. He specifies that 2XKO “has not reached the level necessary to support a team of this size in the long term”.
Towards a reduced team and a new strategy
Riot Games intends to bounce back quickly. The studio’s message is clear: the project continues, but with a rescaled ambition. “With a smaller and more focused team, we will focus on improving the game and making essential changes, including taking into account your many requests. We will reveal our plans soon,” promises Cannon.
Despite the job cuts, plans for the competitive scene remain unchanged. “Our plans for the 2026 Competitive Series remain unchanged. We remain committed to collaborating with tournament organizers and local communities. We will continue to prioritize supporting events and organizers that sustain the fighting game community.”
Invested developers… brutally thanked
Tom Cannon wanted to praise the work of his teams. “The team has invested years of creativity, care, and belief into this game. Taking creative risks like this is difficult, and the work they have done is concrete and meaningful.”
Riot says it wants to support the employees concerned. “We are committed to supporting Riot employees impacted by this transition, including helping them explore opportunities within Riot where possible, and providing at least 6 months of notice and severance when this is not possible,” says Cannon.
What future for 2XKO after this setback?
While the game was well received when it was announced at the Game Awards 2025 and IGN gave it a score of 8/10, the question of its sustainability remains. Tom Cannon, for his part, tries to reassure the community by thanking the players for their commitment: “enough interest to ask difficult questions”. The restructuring could give a second wind to the project… or mark the beginning of a slow withdrawal. In the meantime, the 2026 Competitive Series will still keep its promises.