Riot confirmed that 2XKO will remain in development, but with a smaller team after a launch that did not have the expected impact
Compartir:
Riot Games confirmed a change of strategy in the development of 2XKO, its free fighting game set in the League of Legends universe. The decision comes after confirming that the level of engagement was not what was expected.
Although the title managed to build a loyal community, the overall momentum was not enough to sustain such a large development structure. That's why the project will continue with a smaller team.
Riot Games trae un cambio perjudicial para los jugadores de League of Legends
Performance below expectations
According to the company, the data after launch showed a stable but insufficient player base. That scenario led to a review of the size of the team assigned to the project. Riot stated that the goal now is to make development more sustainable over time, without abandoning the game.
A staggered debut
2XKO debuted in early access on PC on October 7, 2025. Its official release took place on January 20, 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. The free-to-play model aimed to capture a broad audience, but growth was not what had been projected.
Riot's statement and the game's future
The announcement was made by Tom Cannon, who is responsible for the project. The executive stated that the decision was not taken lightly.
2XKO presentó a su nueva campeona para la Temporada 1
According to him, after the console launch, the metrics confirmed that it was necessary to rethink the approach.
What changes will take place from now on
Development will continue with a smaller group focused on key improvements. Many of these improvements arise directly from community requests. Riot indicated that in the coming weeks it will share more details about the direction of the game.
The competitive scene remains active
Despite the adjustment, the company stated that the 2026 Competitive Series will not undergo changes. Support for tournaments and local communities will remain.
Riot emphasized that the competitive ecosystem continues to be a central piece of the project.
What will happen to the affected staff
Regarding the internal impact, Riot reported that it will try to relocate employees to other projects. When that is not possible, there will be severance packages.
El juego tendrá progresión cruzada entre plataformas
The company guaranteed a minimum of six months of salary and payment of the corresponding severance.
A change of focus
The company stressed that this restructuring doesn't imply the closure of 2XKO. It is not a criticism of the work that has been done either. It is, according to the company, an adjustment to adapt to the current reality of the market and to give the game a real chance to grow.
