2XKO Project Hit Hard: Riot's Major Restructuring
Riot Games has announced significant restructuring within its 2XKO development team, resulting in the layoff of approximately half of the staff. The changes, effective immediately and announced on October 26, 2023, impact developers based primarily in Los Angeles, California, and other locations.
Background
2XKO, a highly anticipated project from Riot Games, began development in 2021. Details surrounding the project have been scarce, but Riot has described it as a new intellectual property (IP) aimed at expanding its portfolio beyond its flagship title, *League of Legends*. The project has been a significant investment for Riot, involving a large and diverse team of developers, artists, and designers.
Throughout 2022 and 2023, the 2XKO team steadily grew, attracting talent from various studios and companies. Riot publicly expressed enthusiasm for the project's potential, positioning it as a key component of the company's long-term growth strategy. Internal reports suggest the project had reached a considerable stage of development, with playable builds and core mechanics largely in place.
Key Developments
The decision to significantly scale back the 2XKO team was communicated internally on October 26, 2023, by Riot Games leadership. The layoffs affect a broad range of roles, including programmers, artists, designers, producers, and QA specialists. The announcement followed several months of reportedly slowing development pace and evolving strategic priorities within Riot Games.
While Riot has not explicitly detailed the reasons for the restructuring, industry analysts point to a broader shift in the company's focus. Recent reports indicate a heightened emphasis on polishing existing titles like *League of Legends* and *Valorant*, alongside a more cautious approach to launching entirely new IPs. The economic climate and potential slowdown in the gaming market are also believed to have influenced the decision.
Impact
The layoffs affect roughly 300 individuals within the 2XKO development team. This represents a substantial loss of talent and experience for the company and a significant disruption for those impacted.
The affected employees have reportedly been notified directly by their managers and Human Resources. Riot has stated it is providing severance packages, outplacement services, and extended benefits to assist those transitioning to new opportunities. The layoffs have sparked considerable discussion within the gaming community, with many expressing disappointment and concern for the affected developers. The news has also raised questions about Riot’s long-term commitment to new IP development.
Severance Package Details
Riot’s stated severance package includes a minimum of 16 weeks of salary, continued healthcare coverage for six months, and outplacement services designed to assist with job searching and career counseling. Specific details may vary depending on tenure and role.
What Next?
Riot Games has not provided a timeline for the future of the 2XKO project. While the company has acknowledged the restructuring, it has emphasized its continued commitment to innovation and new content development.
It's unclear whether the 2XKO project will be completely shelved, significantly scaled down, or repurposed in a different direction. Some speculate that certain elements of the project may be integrated into existing Riot Games titles. Riot's next major announcements are expected at the upcoming League of Legends Worlds Championship in South Korea, starting November 26, 2023. Any updates on 2XKO will likely be included in those announcements, if any.
Potential Future Directions
Industry observers suggest that Riot may refocus the 2XKO project on a smaller, more manageable scope, potentially developing it as a mobile game or integrating elements into the *League of Legends* universe. Alternatively, the IP could be put on hold indefinitely.
