Just weeks after the much-anticipated official launch of 2XKO, Riot Games has announced a sweeping round of layoffs affecting roughly half of the game’s global development team. The decision, revealed on February 10, 2026, means approximately 80 employees will be leaving the project—a move that has sent ripples through both the company and the wider gaming community.
2XKO, a free 2v2 tag fighting game featuring popular League of Legends champions, first appeared in early access on PC in October 2025. The full release followed on January 21, 2026, expanding to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms. The excitement surrounding the launch was palpable, with fans eager to see how Riot’s foray into the fighting game genre would fare. Yet, less than three weeks after the official rollout, the company has opted for a major restructuring.
According to Engadget and other industry outlets, Riot Games confirmed that the layoffs constitute about half of the 2XKO global development team. The news was first shared by Tom Cannon, the game’s executive producer, in a candid blog post. Cannon explained that after analyzing player engagement—especially as the game moved from PC to consoles—the team found a dedicated fanbase but not enough momentum to justify the large team size for the long haul.
Cannon wrote, “This decision was not made lightly. While the game has attracted an enthusiastic player base, the overall momentum has not met our expectations for long-term support at the current team size.” He added that the company would move forward with a smaller, more focused team, promising to keep working on the core improvements players have requested.
The layoffs, while substantial, do not signal the end of 2XKO’s competitive ambitions. Riot Games has assured fans that the 2026 competitive season will proceed as planned. The company intends to maintain its partnerships with tournament organizers and regional communities, continuing its support for fighting game events and the broader competitive scene.
Riot’s spokesperson emphasized that affected employees would receive support in seeking new roles within the company. For those unable to transition internally, Riot has pledged a minimum of six months’ salary and severance pay. This commitment to employee welfare, while appreciated by some, couldn’t erase the sting for those caught off guard—like former producer Patrick Miller, who took to social media to voice his disappointment. Miller, who had spent 12 years at Riot and a decade on 2XKO, lamented being laid off with no prior notice, saying, “I found out just 30 minutes before. It’s a tough way to end such a long journey.”
The restructuring of the 2XKO team is not an isolated case. Over the past few years, the gaming industry has seen a steady stream of layoffs and reorganizations, as studios large and small grapple with shifting market demands and the realities of game development. Riot’s own journey with 2XKO traces back to its acquisition of Radiant Entertainment in 2016. Founded by Tom and Tony Cannon—well known for their work on the EVO Championship Series and the GGPO rollback netcode technology—Radiant was brought into the Riot fold specifically to develop this ambitious fighting game project.
Despite the recent turbulence, Tom Cannon remains optimistic about the future of 2XKO. He stressed that the decision to restructure is not a reflection on individual employees or their contributions, but rather a necessary step to ensure the team’s sustainability. “This is about providing a more sustainable path for the team. It’s not a signal that anyone’s journey is over,” Cannon explained in his blog post. He also reassured the community that the smaller team would remain committed to delivering the improvements and features players have been asking for.
Riot’s approach to the layoffs has included both internal and external support mechanisms. Employees affected by the restructuring are being encouraged to explore new opportunities within the company. For those unable to find a new fit, the company’s severance package aims to provide a financial cushion during their transition. While such measures are standard in many industries, the emotional impact remains significant—especially for long-serving staff who have poured years of effort into a single project.
The announcement has sparked conversation within the gaming community about the pressures facing development teams in today’s market. The rapid pace of change, coupled with high expectations for new releases, has made it increasingly difficult for studios to maintain large teams over extended periods. In the case of 2XKO, the initial surge of enthusiasm from its core audience was not enough to sustain the scale of investment Riot had originally planned.
Nevertheless, the company’s commitment to the 2026 competitive season and ongoing community support suggests that 2XKO is far from being abandoned. Riot’s continued partnership with tournament organizers and its sponsorship of community events signal a belief in the game’s potential—even if that potential is being pursued with a leaner team.
For fans and industry watchers alike, the events of the past month serve as a reminder of both the excitement and uncertainty that come with launching a new title in a competitive market. 2XKO’s journey, from its origins at Radiant Entertainment to its present-day challenges at Riot, reflects the broader trends shaping the future of game development: passion, innovation, and, sometimes, tough decisions about sustainability.
As the dust settles, all eyes will be on the remaining 2XKO team to see how they navigate this new chapter. With a smaller, more focused group and the backing of one of the industry’s biggest players, the next year will be crucial in determining whether 2XKO can carve out a lasting place in the fighting game world—or if it will become another cautionary tale in the annals of gaming history.
In the end, the fate of 2XKO will hinge not just on the decisions made in boardrooms, but on the continued passion of its players and developers—a dynamic that, for better or worse, remains at the heart of every great game.