Credit: Riot Games
The launch of 2XKO, a free-to-play team-based fighting game based on League of Legends, failed to meet Riot Games’ expectations. Executive producer Tom Cannon announced cuts to the team responsible for the game.
In an official statement, the studio explained that the free-to-play fighting game “has not reached the level of engagement necessary to sustain a team of this size long-term.” According to executive producer Tom Cannon, after analyzing player activity, it became clear that, despite a dedicated audience, the project’s overall growth rate was insufficient.
Cannon emphasized that the decision to lay off employees was not taken lightly. Riot Games promised affected employees either transfers to other projects within the company or “a minimum of six months of pay and severance.” The exact scale of the layoffs has not yet been disclosed, but former producer Patrick Miller wrote that he was fired “with 30 minutes’ notice” after working on 2XKO in one form or another for almost ten years.
2XKO is currently in its first season. The game features 12 fighters, 2-on-2 battles, stylish graphics, and a shop with premium skins.