Riot cuts 500+ jobs, hits 'Legends' & 'Forge' teams

Riot Games, known for popular titles like League of Legends and Valorant, is reducing its workforce by approximately 530 roles, or around 11% of its global staff. The cutbacks are most pronounced in teams not directly involved in main game development, particularly affecting the Legends of Runeterra card game and the Riot Forge publishing label responsible for expanding the League universe into other game genres. Legends of Runeterra will now focus primarily on the Path of Champions mode, indicating a pivot in development strategy due to financial performance challenges. Riot Forge will cease new game development after Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story's release. Meanwhile, core titles such as League of Legends and Valorant remain a top priority, with Riot aiming to build multi-decade futures for these games through expanded events and modes. The layoffs reflect a broader industry trend, as noted in a recent games industry survey. Additionally, while the esports departments for League and Valorant are also affected, the impact is less substantial.

The layoffs at Riot Games will result in Legends of Runeterra focusing more on the Path of Champions mode and ceasing significant expansion, while Riot Forge will discontinue any new game development after the release of Bandle Tale. Legends of Runeterra, struggling financially, will see a reallocation of development resources, and Riot Forge's termination means no further expansion of the League of Legends universe through this initiative.

Riot Games, founded in 2006, has become an influential player in the gaming industry, primarily due to the success of League of Legends, launched in 2009. The company has expanded its portfolio to include other games like Valorant while fostering transmedia projects with Riot Forge. Legends of Runeterra, released in 2020, aimed to broaden the League universe with a strategic card game. However, the recent shift in strategy and appetite for new projects under Riot Forge, including anticipated narrative-driven endeavors like Bandle Tale, has been curtailed in light of these significant layoffs and strategic refocusing on core titles.