Riot Games’ new fighting game, 2XKO, is facing a challenging period. The developer has announced significant cuts to the development team, due to the game not achieving the results Riot had hoped for. This decision appears to have been made relatively quickly. The fighter has been fully available for less than a month, suggesting player numbers are falling short of expectations.
In a statement, Tom Cannon, executive producer of 2XKO, explained the decision. According to him, the choice was “anything but taken lightly.” As Riot transitioned from PC to console, the company observed clear and consistent patterns in how players engaged with the game. 2XKO managed to attract a passionate core of players, but overall momentum proved insufficient to support a team of this size long-term. With a smaller, more focused team, Riot now intends to concentrate on key improvements to the game, including addressing issues players have been requesting for some time. More concrete plans will be shared at a later date.
In other words 2XKO is not being discontinued and will continue to receive support from Riot, although that support will be more limited than originally planned. The developer emphasizes that the focus is now on “targeted improvements and refining the core experience.”
The cuts impact approximately 80 developers, representing nearly half of the team that worked on 2XKO’s console launch, according to reports from GameSpot and Dexerto. The layoffs come less than three weeks after the game’s console release.
The situation highlights the challenges of entering the fighting game genre, a market dominated by established franchises like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. 2XKO’s unique 2v2 tag-team combat system, set within the League of Legends universe, aimed to differentiate it, but hasn’t yet translated into sustained player engagement. The game is free-to-play, relying on in-game purchases for revenue, making consistent player numbers crucial for its long-term viability.
Despite the downsizing, Riot maintains its commitment to the game’s competitive scene. The company states that plans for the 2026 Competitive Series remain “unchanged.” It will continue to partner with tournament organizers and local communities, supporting the events and organizations that sustain the fighting game community. This suggests Riot intends to maintain a presence in the esports space, even with a reduced development team.
The continued esports support is a positive signal. At the same time, the situation raises questions about the future and growth potential of 2XKO, particularly among players who feel Riot is partially conceding defeat. Cannon acknowledges these concerns and emphasizes that Riot will continue to communicate about the game’s further development.
Riot Games is known for setting high standards for its projects and not hesitating to intervene quickly when goals are not met. Previous initiatives, such as Riot Forge, were also terminated even though they weren’t directly unprofitable. The coming months will determine whether 2XKO can turn things around with a smaller team.
The failure of 2XKO to gain traction so quickly after launch is notable, particularly given Riot’s track record with League of Legends and Valorant. The company’s rapid response, while difficult for those affected by the layoffs, demonstrates a willingness to adapt and prioritize resources. The focus now shifts to refining the core gameplay experience and fostering a dedicated community, rather than pursuing aggressive growth. Whether this strategy will be enough to salvage 2XKO remains to be seen, but it represents a significant course correction for the fledgling fighting game.
