You are seeing Riot Games reduce staff again, this time affecting the team behind its fighting game 2XKO. Reports show the company cut dozens of roles, with some developers learning about their dismissal only 30 minutes before it took effect.
If you follow the project, this move matters because it comes shortly after major updates and platform launches. You now face questions about how a smaller team will support 2XKO going forward and what this decision signals about Riot’s broader development priorities.
Riot reduces 2XKO staff after momentum stalls
You learned about the cuts through a public post on Riot Games’ site that the company shared across social channels. The message came from Tom Cannon, who leads 2XKO as executive producer and senior director.
You see the change arrive less than a month after launch. As the game expanded from PC to consoles, Riot tracked how you and other players engaged. The data showed steady interest from a dedicated audience, but growth did not reach a level that justified the existing team size.
You hear Riot frame the move as an operational shift rather than a verdict on the game or its developers. Cannon states that a smaller group will concentrate on targeted updates, including features you have already requested. Riot plans to outline those changes later.
You also receive confirmation that the studio keeps its 2026 schedule intact. The game will remain visible at events and within competitive scenes, signaling continued support.
What changes for you
- A tighter development team focused on specific improvements
- Ongoing tournament and community presence
- No revision to the stated 2026 timeline
Scope of the reductions
| Area | Detail |
|---|---|
| Team impact | Nearly half the staff affected |
| Estimated number | About 80 roles |
| Public rationale | Engagement levels below long-term needs |
You can read the decision as an effort to stabilize development and align resources with current demand, while keeping the project active and evolving.
2XKO dev hit with 30‑minute layoff notice
You see the impact of Riot’s staffing cuts most clearly through individual accounts. One longtime developer shared that Riot informed him of his dismissal with only a 30‑minute warning, ending a career that stretched back to 2013.
You track his path across multiple roles at the company. He began on League of Legends in editorial leadership, then shifted to 2XKO, where he served in senior design and production positions for years before the sudden exit.
Career timeline you can follow:
| Period | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–2015 | Editor-in-chief | League of Legends |
| 2016–2025 | Game designer, senior producer | 2XKO |
You also hear pride rather than regret in his response. He credits the team’s work, thanks the fighting game community for its support, and leaves open questions about whether others received similarly short notice.
You notice parallel reactions from other developers. A champion designer who helped bring Illaoi, Blitzcrank, and Caitlyn into 2XKO expressed gratitude for the project and its players. The lead champion designer echoed that sentiment, pointing to Ekko as a highlight and emphasizing the team’s effort.
You then see Riot leadership respond publicly. The company says it will assist affected staff by offering internal opportunities when possible, plus at least six months of notice pay and severance when roles end.
You feel the community’s frustration as well-known FGC figures react online, especially with the game still scheduled for appearances at GENESIS X3 (Feb. 13–15) and gamescom in March.
