Riot Games cuts 2XKO team in half after console launch frustrates expectations

Riot Games confirmed a drastic reduction in the number of employees dedicated to the development of 2XKO. The measure affects around 80 professionals and comes just a few weeks after the free title arrived on desktop consoles, which took place on January 20, 2026. Executive producer Tom Cannon signed the official statement about the structural change. The decision reflects the commercial performance of the fighting game based on the League of Legends universe.

Internal engagement data on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms were below the projections established by the company. The expansion of the audience did not keep up with the pace necessary to justify maintaining a large team. The company now adopts a lean operation to focus on specific gameplay and content improvements. The competitive scenario planned for the current season remains unchanged.

Reestruturação internal and developer support package

The staff cuts represent almost half of the project’s original workforce. Developers affected by the restructuring will receive a financial support package drawn up by the company. The minimum guaranteed compensation includes six months of base salary, in addition to notice payment. The company tries to minimize the impact on employees’ careers at a time of adjustments in the global technology market.

An internal transfer process was opened immediately after the announcement. Riot Games prioritizes the reallocation of these professionals to other divisions and active projects of the studio, depending on the availability of vacancies compatible with each profile. Essa talent retention strategy repeats protocols used in previous rounds of layoffs. The human resources department will conduct internal interviews in the coming weeks.

Tom Cannon used official networks to talk to the player base about the delicate moment. The executive praised the group’s commitment during the years of creation and explained that the change of route occurred after a rigorous analysis of access metrics. User base growth quickly stagnated after the initial console launch spike. Retaining casual players proved to be a greater challenge than management anticipated.

Histórico development and transition to consoles

The title’s journey began publicly in 2019 under the codename Project L. The announcement was part of the ten-year celebrations of the League of Legends franchise, marking the studio’s first foray into the fighting genre. The acquisition of the Radiant Entertainment studio brought the Cannon brothers to lead the project. Eles had previous experience with the canceled game Rising Thunder, which already explored simplified commands.

The period of closed testing and early access on PC built a loyal community throughout 2024 and 2025. The transition to the full version in January 2026 represented the developer’s main market move to popularize the brand. The first official season debuted with the introduction of a new battle pass and balance updates. The servers registered technical stability in the first days of operation.

The release window coincided with a period of strong competition in the fighting game market. Títulos established from other franchises divided the attention of the target audience. The free format with monetization based on cosmetic items maintained the company’s traditional philosophy. However, the barrier to entry of the fighting genre, even with simplified controls, limited the conversion of MOBA players into regular visitors to virtual arenas.

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Mecânicas combat and adaptation of champions

The technical difference of 2XKO lies in the doubles confrontation system. Players control two switchable characters during the match, requiring quick reflexes and knowledge of synergies. The controls were designed to facilitate the execution of special moves, removing complex lever movements common in old arcades. Competitive depth comes from combining attacks and defenses at the right time.

The game features advanced tools for space control and recovery. The color fusion system and programmable assists in different directions add layers of strategy to clashes. Training mode includes recording actions so users can practice defenses against specific sequences. The initial cast translated Runeterra’s known in-universe abilities into the two-dimensional environment.

• Ahri uses magical orbs to control space and has high mobility.
• Darius focuses on constant pressure and close-range grabs.
• Yasuo manipulates wind currents to create extensive combos.
• Braum acts as a protective shield and focuses on precise counterattacks.
• Ekko manipulates time to reverse disadvantageous situations.
• Illaoi bases his style on continuous damage with the help of tentacles.

The remaining team will continue the work of expanding this catalog of characters. Future updates promise to add new familiar faces from the original game, although the pace of production will be subject to adjustments due to the new size of the studio. Each fighter’s visual identity remains faithful to the source material.

Continuidade from the competitive circuit in 2026

Apesar’s behind-the-scenes setback, the game’s esports structure remains intact. Riot Games has assured that the 2026 Competitive Series calendar will go exactly as planned. Partnerships signed with independent tournament organizers remain valid. Eventos in-person and online competitions will receive the technical and financial support promised since last year.

Cash prizes and the global qualifier system follow the original schedule. The developer understands that maintaining an active professional scene is fundamental to the longevity of any fighting game. The competitive community often dictates long-term engagement and the sale of cosmetic items tied to sporting events. Jogadores professionals have already started training for the first official championships.

The next few months will be focused on technical stability and fine-tuning. The reduced team prioritizes fixing connection issues and improving the matchmaking system across all platforms. A detailed roadmap of updates will be shared with the public in the coming weeks. The central objective now is to refine the experience of the active player base and ensure the long-term viability of the project, consolidating the niche achieved.