Riot Games Navigates Post-Launch Challenges with 2XKO and Broader Restructuring

Riot Games, the studio behind globally popular titles like League of Legends and Valorant, has recently undergone a series of workforce adjustments following the release of its fresh fighting game, 2XKO. These changes extend beyond the initial team associated with the game’s launch, signaling a broader recalibration within the company and its parent organization, Tencent.

2XKO’s Launch and Initial Reception

2XKO, a free-to-play 2v2 tag-team fighting game set in the League of Legends universe, released on January 20, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The game emphasizes strategic team play, allowing players to switch between a Point character (primary) and an Assist character (secondary) using a tag system. Gameplay features directional inputs, dashes, jumps, and a variety of attacks, including light, medium, and heavy options, with unique moves for each character [1].

Layoffs Impact Multiple Teams

Shortly after the game’s launch, Riot Games initiated a round of layoffs. Initially affecting around 12 developers, a subsequent announcement confirmed further reductions impacting the publishing division. In total, approximately 12 employees were affected in the second round of layoffs, impacting three teams within Riot Games [4].

Tencent’s Broader Restructuring

The restructuring at Riot Games occurs within a larger context of adjustments at its parent company, Tencent. Recently, Tencent shuttered TiMi Montreal, a studio focused on AAA, open-world, cross-platform games, before it had released or even announced any projects. Similarly, NetEase, a competitor to Tencent, similarly implemented layoffs at a studio with no publicly announced games, raising concerns about its future [4].

Looking Ahead for 2XKO

Despite the challenges, Riot Games continues to support 2XKO with updates and new content. Season 1 launched on January 20-21, 2026, introducing a new champion and a Battle Pass [2]. The studio is also actively engaging with the fighting game community, testing programs for offline locals and online tournaments with in-game rewards [2]. The game is available now on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation®5 consoles [2].