Riot is already cutting staff on its new fighting game

Riot Games is already “reducing the size” of the team working on its recently released free-to-play fighting game 2XKOaccording to a post from Executive producer Tom Cannon. The game, which takes place in league of legends Universe, launched in Early Access on PC In October And hit the keyboards Just a few weeks ago.

2XKO It has been in development for years, with Riot first announcing the project under the codename Project for In 2019 As part of wider plans to expand the company’s lineup even further league of legends. While some of Riot’s expansion ideas have worked, including Netflix animated series mysterious and Tactical shooter That would eventually becomes ValuationThe company also closed its independent publishing label in 2024 As part of layoffs Which influences about 11 percent of its employees to focus more on “core live gaming.” Changes to 2XKO Also increasingly reflective Competitive market For live service games that have proven difficult Sony to overcome.

“As we’ve expanded from PC to console, we’ve seen consistent trends in how players engage with it 2XKO“,” Cannon says in the post. “The game has resonated with an enthusiastic core audience, but the overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long-term.” The smaller team will “excavate and make major improvements to the game, including some of the things we’ve heard you’re already asking for.”

Canon did not specify how many jobs would be affected by the changes. Riot spokesman He tells Computer games That’s about 80 employees, making up less than half 2XKO Development team, will be released from the team. Riot did not immediately respond to a request for comment Edge. Cannon says affected employees will receive assistance in finding new jobs internally at Riot, and if that’s not possible, they will be given 6 months’ pay notice and severance pay.

“Ultimately, this decision reflects a shift in the way we work,” Cannon said. “This is not a judgment on the individual Rioters or an indication that the journey is over. We are reshaping the team to give 2XKO a more sustainable path forward.”