Riot Games has announced layoffs affecting 80 employees on its 2XKO development team, less than a month after the fighting game's console release. Executive producer Tom Cannon cited insufficient player momentum as the reason for the cuts. Despite the reductions, the game will continue receiving updates.
Riot Games, the maker of League of Legends, revealed on February 9, 2026, that it is laying off 80 employees from the team behind 2XKO, its tag-teaming fighting game set in the League of Legends Runeterra universe. The decision comes less than three weeks after the game's 1.0 launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PC, following an Early Access period on PC in October 2025.
In a blog post, executive producer Tom Cannon explained the move: “I want you to know that decision wasn’t made lightly. As we expanded from PC to console, we saw consistent trends in how players were engaging with 2XKO.” He added, “The game has resonated with a passionate core audience, but overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term.”
2XKO features cel-shaded animations and flashy combos with fighters from the Runeterra universe. On consoles, it ranked as the third most-downloaded free-to-play game on PS4 and PS5, surpassing titles like Marvel Rivals and Highguard. However, these figures fell short of Riot's expectations, prompting the team to halve in size.
Cannon emphasized that the layoffs are not an end for 2XKO: “Ultimately, this decision reflects a shift in how we operate. This isn’t a judgment on individual Rioters or a signal that the journey is over. We’re reshaping the team to give 2XKO a more sustainable path forward.” The remaining developers plan to proceed with year-one competitive updates. Cannon acknowledged the concerns: “I know this update will raise questions and concerns. That’s understandable.”
