Riot Games has made headlines after announcing the layoff of roughly 80 developers from the 2XKO team, a fighting game that recently launched. This decision comes less than a month after the game's release, raising concerns about the game's future and the company's confidence in new projects. The downsizing, described as a move to create a "smaller, focused" team, aims to implement key improvements in response to feedback regarding the game's complexity and player experience. Even though the competitive aspect of 2XKO will continue, the layoffs have left many employees, including seasoned developers, feeling disheartened. The company's previous history of cancelling projects, including Legends of Runeterra and Hytale, has further amplified doubts about its commitment to new titles.

How will the layoffs at Riot Games impact the future of 2XKO?

The layoffs will likely impact the development pace and support for 2XKO, creating uncertainty among players. Riot has pledged to continue communicating about the game's future but needs to provide assurances to maintain player confidence.

2XKO is positioned as a 2v2 tag fighter, a niche market within the broader fighting game genre, contrasting with more traditional 1v1 games. This ambitious title has been in development for nearly a decade, funded significantly by Riot. With successful franchises like League of Legends and Valorant, Riot Games has established itself as a leader in the gaming industry, but the fate of 2XKO could set a precedent for how the company handles future projects, especially in live service environments where player trust is pivotal.