What is 2XKO, and is it the same as Project L?

2XKO is the official name for Riot Games’ League of Legends fighting game, formerly known as Project L. It is a 2v2 tag-team fighter that launched in January 2026 on PC and current-generation consoles.

Why did Riot Games downsize the 2XKO development team?

The reduction was prompted by player engagement and momentum levels that fell below expectations following the launch. Riot determined the player base growth was insufficient to justify the original team size and reshaped the staff for long-term sustainability.

How many developers lost their jobs in the 2XKO layoffs?

Approximately 80 employees, representing nearly half of the team, were affected. Impacted individuals can apply for other roles within Riot, and those who do not find new positions will receive at least six months of severance pay.

Does the downsizing mean 2XKO is shutting down?

No. Riot explicitly stated the game is not shutting down. A smaller team will continue to provide updates and support to ensure the game has a sustainable future.

Will 2XKO still get new characters and updates after these layoffs?

Yes. Riot has already announced Akali and Senna as upcoming fighters. Updates will continue, focusing on balance patches and key improvements, though the pace of content delivery may be slower.

What did Tom Cannon mean by “overall momentum” in his statement?

This refers to the post-launch trajectory of player numbers and activity. The momentum was considered too slow relative to the investment, leading to the decision to scale down the development team.

Is Riot still supporting 2XKO’s competitive esports scene?

Yes. The 2026 Competitive Series remains unchanged, with 16 scheduled events including major championships. Riot is also introducing incentives such as in-game rewards for local tournament participants.

Where can I play 2XKO, and is it free-to-play?

2XKO is free-to-play on PC (via the Riot client), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It features cross-platform play and uses a monetization model based on optional cosmetics and battle passes.

How has the fighting game community reacted to the 2XKO layoffs?

Reaction has been mixed, with some players expressing disappointment over the early timing of the cuts, while others are relieved that competitive support and new character development are continuing.

What’s next for 2XKO now that the team is smaller?

A focused development team will prioritize community-requested features, such as an offline duos mode, and maintain balance updates. The game will focus on steady maintenance rather than aggressive expansion.

Riot Games Downsizing the 2XKO Development Team: February 2026 Layoffs, Official Update, and What’s Next

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Riot Games has confirmed a significant downsizing of the development team behind 2XKO, its new League of Legends fighting game, in February 2026. This move comes just weeks after 2XKO’s official launch on PC and consoles, and affects roughly half of the game’s developers.

In an official update, Executive Producer Tom Cannon explained that while 2XKO has a passionate core player base, its “overall momentum” and growth have not met expectations needed to sustain such a large team. Riot’s decision has raised many questions about the game’s future content, competitive plans, and long-term support. This comprehensive article breaks down everything we know – from Riot’s official announcements and reasoning, to community reactions and what lies ahead for 2XKO – with SEO-friendly clarity and detail.

Riot Games 2XKO layoffs: what Riot announced in the official update

On February 9, 2026, Riot Games announced a downsizing of the 2XKO development team through a blog post by Tom Cannon titled “An Update on 2XKO.” The decision followed an evaluation of the game’s post-launch performance and player engagement, noting that the console launch did not generate the player surge required to maintain a large development team long-term. Cannon clarified that the restructuring is intended to put 2XKO on a sustainable path rather than serving as a judgment on staff or signaling the end of the game. Riot confirmed that esports plans, including the 2026 Competitive Series, remain unchanged and that affected employees will receive severance and support.

Why Riot Games is downsizing the 2XKO development team

The primary driver for downsizing was lower-than-expected player engagement and momentum after 2XKO expanded to consoles. Riot had staffed the project for a significantly larger active player base than what materialized. This move aligns with Riot’s broader strategy to focus on fewer, high-impact projects. Because fighting games are a niche market with high skill barriers, 2XKO faced difficulties achieving the massive numbers seen in titles like League of Legends. The reduction allows Riot to continue supporting the game’s core audience without the high costs associated with the original team size.

How many 2XKO developers were affected by the layoffs

While Riot did not release an official number, reports indicate approximately 80 roles were eliminated, representing about half of the global development team. These layoffs occurred less than three weeks after the game’s full release. Impacted staff were offered at least six months of notice pay and severance, along with the opportunity to apply for other positions within the company. This significant reduction reflects a swift response to the mismatch between Riot’s aggressive staffing and the game’s actual launch trajectory.

Yelzkizi riot games downsizing the 2xko development team: february 2026 layoffs, official update, and what’s next — Riot games downsizing the 2xko development team: february 2026 layoffs, official update, and what’s next

Tom Cannon 2XKO statement explained: “overall momentum” and player engagement

Tom Cannon’s explanation centered on “overall momentum,” referring to the growth rate and activity levels of the player base post-launch. Although the game resonated with a passionate core, it did not reach the scale needed for a team of that size. The January 2026 console release served as a benchmark; when it failed to trigger a significant surge in players, Riot determined the growth curve was too flat to justify the investment levels previously set for the project.

2XKO release timeline: Project L renamed to 2XKO and the January 2026 launch

The project began as “Project L,” first announced in 2019 following Riot’s 2016 acquisition of Radiant Entertainment. It was officially renamed 2XKO in early 2024. Following playtests and an October 2025 Early Access period, the 1.0 version launched on January 20, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The decision to halve the development team was announced on February 9, 2026, marking a rapid transition from launch to restructuring.

What “downsizing” means for 2XKO updates and future content

The reduction in staff will likely lead to a slower cadence for new content, such as characters and major expansions, but Riot has stated they are not abandoning the game. The “smaller, focused team” will prioritize core improvements, balance, and quality-of-life features requested by the community. The 2026 competitive circuit, consisting of 16 scheduled tournaments, will proceed as planned. The team aims to deliver content already in the pipeline while focusing on the most high-impact areas of development.

2XKO roadmap after layoffs: what a smaller dev team will prioritize

Following the layoffs, Game Director Shaun Rivera outlined a roadmap focused on the needs of the core fighting game community. The smaller team will prioritize:

Continued Balance Updates: Adjusting meta outliers like Ekko and Yasuo to ensure every champion has defined strengths and weaknesses.
Preserving Core Gameplay: Maintaining the fast pace and high skill ceiling of the game’s mechanics.
Quality-of-Life Features: Developing a local offline “duos” mode for couch co-op.
Community & Competitive Support: Integrating with local tournaments and offering in-game rewards for offline event participation.
New Champions: Releasing new fighters that were already in the development pipeline.

Will 2XKO still get new characters and roster expansions

Riot confirmed that 2XKO will continue to receive new fighters. On February 16, 2026, the company announced that Akali and Senna are the next champions joining the roster. Akali is described as a stylish ninja with precise attacks, while Senna utilizes a massive cannon and a wraith form. Although exact release dates were not provided, their preview suggests they were well into development. Future roster expansions for 2026 are expected to proceed, though the cadence of new releases may slow down, and plans for 2027 may be reevaluated due to the smaller team size.

2XKO balance patches and live-service support after team reductions

2XKO will continue to receive balance patches and live-service support. Game Director Shaun Rivera stated that the team will focus on hitting meta outliers to ensure every champion has defined strengths and weaknesses, specifically mentioning upcoming tweaks for Ekko and Yasuo. Essential live-service elements, including bug fixes, stability improvements, netcode maintenance, and the ranked ladder, will remain supported. While the frequency of updates might decrease, Riot intends to remain responsive to the fighting game community (FGC) and maintain the game’s competitive health.

2XKO 2026 Competitive Series plans after Riot Games job cuts

The 2026 Competitive Series remains unchanged. Riot is committed to 16 confirmed tournaments for the year, including five Major events. The circuit began with Frosty Faustings in January and will include various regional qualifiers and community events. Riot also plans to integrate in-game rewards for local tournament participation and will support top players with trips to events like EVO Las Vegas 2026. Maintaining the competitive scene is a strategic move to showcase the game and keep the FGC invested.

Is 2XKO shutting down? long-term support concerns and Riot’s messaging

Riot’s official messaging states that 2XKO is not shutting down. The downsizing is framed as a move toward a “sustainable path forward” rather than an end to development. While some players fear the game may enter a “maintenance mode,” Riot is attempting to combat this perception by continuing to release new character teasers and supporting the competitive circuit. The company emphasizes that it is not discontinuing support and views the game as a long-term foothold in the fighting game genre.

Riot Games layoffs and restructuring: how 2XKO fits the bigger strategy shift

The downsizing of the 2XKO team is part of a broader strategy to focus on fewer, high-impact projects. This shift began in early 2024 with the layoff of 530 employees and the closure of the Riot Forge publishing program. Riot is reallocating resources to core titles like League of Legends—which is planning a major overhaul for 2027—and Valorant. By scaling 2XKO to match its niche status, Riot is treating it as a pragmatic project rather than a massive experimental venture, moving resources to areas with higher proven returns.

Riot Forge shutdown and other Riot cost-cutting moves fans are comparing

Fans have drawn parallels between the 2XKO downsizing and the closure of Riot Forge in late 2023 or early 2024. Riot Forge, which published indie-developed League of Legends spinoffs like Ruined King and Hextech Mayhem, was shut down alongside approximately 530 layoffs. This move, combined with October 2024 layoffs and a reset for the rumored League of Legends MMO, signals a shift toward cutting projects that are not core moneymakers. While Riot has not abandoned 2XKO entirely, the community compares this reduction to other underperforming ventures being scaled back or put into “maintenance mode” to prioritize return on investment (ROI).

Fighting game community reaction to the 2XKO dev team downsizing

The fighting game community (FGC) reaction ranges from disappointment to guarded optimism. Pessimists fear the downsizing signals “minimum maintenance” mode and a loss of potential, while others believe the real test will come in 2027 after the already-budgeted 2026 season ends. Some critics argue Riot should have waited until after EVO 2026 to see if a tournament-driven player surge occurred before making cuts. Conversely, competitive players are relieved that the 16-tournament 2026 esports circuit remains untouched. Many players remain hopeful as long as Riot continues to deliver new champions and balance fixes, noting that the FGC is accustomed to smaller development teams.

Where to play 2XKO now: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S availability

2XKO is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. On PC, it must be downloaded via the Riot Games client, as it is not available on Steam. The console versions are exclusive to current-generation hardware, with no support for PS4 or Xbox One. The game is free-to-play across all platforms and supports full cross-platform play, allowing a unified matchmaking pool. No paid subscriptions, such as PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold, are required for online play. Despite the team downsizing, the game remains fully accessible and updated for all current players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is 2XKO, and is it the same as Project L?
2XKO is the official name for Riot Games’ League of Legends fighting game, formerly known as Project L. It is a 2v2 tag-team fighter that launched in January 2026 on PC and current-generation consoles.
Why did Riot Games downsize the 2XKO development team?
The reduction was prompted by player engagement and momentum levels that fell below expectations following the launch. Riot determined the player base growth was insufficient to justify the original team size and reshaped the staff for long-term sustainability.
How many developers lost their jobs in the 2XKO layoffs?
Approximately 80 employees, representing nearly half of the team, were affected. Impacted individuals can apply for other roles within Riot, and those who do not find new positions will receive at least six months of severance pay.
Does the downsizing mean 2XKO is shutting down?
No. Riot explicitly stated the game is not shutting down. A smaller team will continue to provide updates and support to ensure the game has a sustainable future.
Will 2XKO still get new characters and updates after these layoffs?
Yes. Riot has already announced Akali and Senna as upcoming fighters. Updates will continue, focusing on balance patches and key improvements, though the pace of content delivery may be slower.
What did Tom Cannon mean by “overall momentum” in his statement?
This refers to the post-launch trajectory of player numbers and activity. The momentum was considered too slow relative to the investment, leading to the decision to scale down the development team.
Is Riot still supporting 2XKO’s competitive esports scene?
Yes. The 2026 Competitive Series remains unchanged, with 16 scheduled events including major championships. Riot is also introducing incentives such as in-game rewards for local tournament participants.
Where can I play 2XKO, and is it free-to-play?
2XKO is free-to-play on PC (via the Riot client), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It features cross-platform play and uses a monetization model based on optional cosmetics and battle passes.
How has the fighting game community reacted to the 2XKO layoffs?
Reaction has been mixed, with some players expressing disappointment over the early timing of the cuts, while others are relieved that competitive support and new character development are continuing.
What’s next for 2XKO now that the team is smaller?
A focused development team will prioritize community-requested features, such as an offline duos mode, and maintain balance updates. The game will focus on steady maintenance rather than aggressive expansion.

Conclusion

The downsizing of the 2XKO team in February 2026 reflects a recalibration by Riot Games after launch metrics failed to meet internal targets. Despite the staff reduction, Riot’s commitment to new champions and the 2026 Competitive Series suggests a desire to sustain the game with a leaner model. This shift aligns with a broader corporate strategy of focusing resources on core titles while adjusting the scale of newer projects to match their actual audience.

In the long term, the success of 2XKO depends on whether this sustainable path keeps the core community engaged. While the human impact of the layoffs is significant, the game remains active on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Riot is moving forward by emphasizing gameplay quality and tournament support, aiming to keep 2XKO relevant within the fighting game community. Only time will tell if this focus will allow the game to endure as a niche title, but for now, the journey continues with planned updates and competitive events.