Just three weeks after 2XKO’s official launch, Riot has announced that they are “reducing the size of the 2XKO team.” A Riot spokesperson revealed that approximately 80 employees were affected, which is around half of the game’s development team.
I want you to know that decision wasn’t made lightly,” Executive Producer Tom Cannon said. “As we expanded from PC to console, we saw consistent trends in how players were engaging with 2XKO. 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.
“With a smaller, focused team, we’re going to dig in and make key improvements to the game, including some of the things we’ve already heard you asking for. We’ll share some of our plans soon.
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.”
Riot noted that its plans for the 2026 Competitive Series will be unchanged. They remain committed to partnering with tournament organizers and local communities.
Cannon said that Riot is committed to supporting the 80 employees impacted through the transition. This includes exploring other opportunities within Riot where possible, and providing a minimum of 6 months of notice pay and severance where it’s not.
“I know this update will raise questions and concerns,” Cannon added. That’s understandable. We’ll continue communicating about how things are progressing.
“In the journey so far we’ve been humbled and dazzled by the energy and passion you’ve brought to the 2XKO community. That energy matters, and it will help fuel us into this next chapter as we improve the game.”