Riot Games Reduces 2XKO Development Team Size After Recent Launch

Riot Games has announced that it is cutting back on the development team for its newly released free-to-play 2v2 tag-team fighting game, 2XKO, just weeks following its launch. Producer Tom Cannon described the decision as "difficult to share," noting that while the game has garnered a "passionate core audience," it has not achieved the necessary success to justify maintaining a larger team in the long run. "By streamlining our team, we aim to focus on making essential improvements to the game, including addressing feedback we've already received from players. We will be sharing our plans shortly," Cannon stated. He also reassured that the plans for the 2026 Competitive Series remain intact, emphasizing the company’s commitment to collaborating with tournament organizers and local communities to support events that benefit the fighting game community. Cannon acknowledged the dedication and creativity the team invested in 2XKO, recognizing the challenges of taking creative risks. He expressed appreciation for their meaningful contributions to the game. In terms of transition support for affected employees, Cannon highlighted that Riot is committed to assisting impacted team members by helping them seek new opportunities within the company when possible and providing a minimum notice period and severance of six months where required. He concluded by promising that more information will be forthcoming and expressed gratitude to players for engaging with 2XKO and for their thoughtful inquiries. Riot has confirmed that the layoffs will impact around 80 roles worldwide, accounting for less than half of the total team. However, these figures may change as some employees may find new positions within the organization. Overall, 2XKO received a positive reception, earning an 8/10 in a review that praised its ability to capture the fun aspects of tag fighters while alleviating common frustrations associated with the genre. The game was first revealed during The Game Awards in 2025.