Riot Games Downsizes 2XKO Team Following Modest Season 1 Launch Numbers

Less than a month after its official release, Riot Games has announced significant layoffs affecting the development team of its new fighting game, 2XKO. The announcement, made on February 9, 2026, signals a strategic pivot for the title as the publisher attempts to stabilize the game’s future following a launch that seemingly fell short of internal expectations.

Launch Trajectory and Engagement Struggles

The trajectory of 2XKO appeared promising initially. Following a PC-exclusive closed beta, the game entered Early Access on October 7, 2025, where it was received warmly for its unique 2v2 mechanics and faithful adaptation of the League of Legends roster. Riot steadily updated the title leading up to the official Season 1 launch on January 20, 2026, which put the title in the hands of console players as well.

2XKO officially launched on consoles on January 20 (Image Source: Riot Games)

However, the transition from early access to full release did not generate the explosion in player numbers Riot is accustomed to. Unlike the lightning-in-a-bottle success of VALORANT, 2XKO faced the reality of the fighting game genre—a historically niche market with high barriers to entry.

Tom Cannon, Executive Producer for 2XKO, addressed this in his statement:

“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.”

It appears the player engagement data simply could not justify the massive resources Riot had initially allocated to the project.

Reshaping the Team

The reduction in staff is described as a move to give the game a "more sustainable path forward." Cannon emphasized that the decision "wasn’t made lightly" and was not a reflection on the individual talent of the developers.

“The people who helped ship 2XKO poured years of creativity, care, and belief into this game. Taking creative risks like this is hard, and the work they did is real and meaningful.”

To support those affected, Riot is offering a robust severance package, including a minimum of 6 months of notice pay, and assistance in finding new roles within the company where possible. The remaining team will now prioritize key improvements to 2XKO requested by the community.

2026 Competitive Season Remains Safe

There is a silver lining in all of this, however. Cannon confirmed that the 2026 esports circuit remains completely untouched. 

“We remain committed to partnering with tournament organizers and local communities. Our focus will continue to be on supporting the events and organizers that already power the FGC.”

This means the 16 confirmed tournaments announced for the year will proceed as planned. The circuit, which includes five Major Events, has already begun with the recently concluded 'Frosty Faustings.' Thus giving fans some assurance that the rest of the events will also take place.

Looking Ahead

This restructuring marks a harsh reality check for Riot's recent expansion into new genres. While the swift downsizing so soon after the official launch is concerning, the commitment to the competitive circuit suggests Riot is not abandoning the IP entirely. Instead, they are scaling appropriately to survive in a competitive, niche genre where longevity matters more than initial hype.

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Featured image credit: Riot Games