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Riot Games announced it will be downsizing the development team working on its free-to-play fighting game 2XKO due to player engagement numbers that haven’t reached the levels needed to support the current team size.
The company confirmed that development will continue, but with a smaller team focused on making key improvements to the game based on player feedback. Staff members affected by the changes will either be offered positions elsewhere within Riot Games or will receive at least six months of severance pay.
In a statement, Tom Cannon from Riot Games explained that the decision came after looking at how players have been engaging with the game since it expanded from PC to consoles. While 2XKO has built a dedicated core player base, the overall momentum hasn’t been strong enough to support the larger team long-term.
“The game has resonated with a passionate core audience, but overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term,” Cannon wrote.
The smaller team will focus on making improvements to the game, including features and changes that players have already requested. Riot Games plans to share more details about these updates soon.
The company’s 2026 Competitive Series will continue as planned, with Riot maintaining its partnerships with tournament organizers and local fighting game communities. 2XKO launched in Early Access on PC on October 7, 2025, before its full release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC on January 20, 2026.
