Riot Games announces layoffs and shifts focus on main titles

Today, Riot Games, the well-known developer behind League of Legends and Valorant, has declared a significant reduction in its workforce. In a blog post from Riot Games CEO Dylan Jadeja and President Marc Merrill, it was stated that approximately 11 percent of the total number of employees, totaling 530 team members, will be cut. However, the impacted individuals will not be left empty-handed, as they will receive at least six months of severance pay along with an extra cash bonus equivalent to their 2023 performance bonus.

With this restructuring, Riot Games aims to concentrate its development efforts on its main titles, which include League of Legends, Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and Wild Rift. Additionally, the development team for Legends of Runeterra will be downsized, with a focus on enhancing The Path of Champions gameplay mode. This restructuring will see the departure of Dave Guskin, the director of Legends of Runeterra, although he will still remain within the Riot Games organization.

Furthermore, Riot Games has decided to halt its Riot Forge publishing endeavors, which previously supported small indie developers in creating games set in the League of Legends universe.

While there have been notable layoffs within the tech industry, gaming companies have also been affected. Gaming-themed chat service Discord has announced a 17 percent reduction in its workforce, and Twitch, a platform owned by Amazon, has cut 35 percent of its team members. Moreover, the Embracer Group has recently laid off a substantial number of employees from Lost Boys Interactive, and Unity, a prominent game engine company, plans to reduce its workforce by 25 percent by the end of March.

Despite these changes, Riot Games reassures its community that it remains committed to delivering innovative new titles. Among these is the highly anticipated „Project L,” a 2v2-based fighting game, details of which will be unveiled later in 2024.

FAQ:
1. What is Riot Games?
Riot Games is a well-known game developer behind popular titles such as League of Legends and Valorant.

2. How many employees will be affected by the reduction?
Approximately 11 percent of Riot Games’ total workforce will be cut, which totals to 530 team members.

3. What will the affected employees receive?
The impacted individuals will receive at least six months of severance pay and an extra cash bonus equivalent to their 2023 performance bonus.

4. Which games will Riot Games focus on after the restructuring?
Riot Games will concentrate its development efforts on its main titles, which include League of Legends, Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and Wild Rift.

5. What will happen to the Legends of Runeterra development team?
The Legends of Runeterra development team will be downsized, with a focus on enhancing The Path of Champions gameplay mode. The director of Legends of Runeterra, Dave Guskin, will also be departing from the team.

6. What is Riot Forge and what will happen to it?
Riot Forge is a publishing endeavor that supported small indie developers in creating games set in the League of Legends universe. Riot Games has decided to halt Riot Forge publishing endeavors.

7. How have other gaming companies been affected by layoffs?
Other gaming companies, such as Discord and Twitch, have also announced reductions in their workforce. The Embracer Group has laid off employees from Lost Boys Interactive, and Unity plans to reduce its workforce by 25 percent.

8. What is „Project L”?
„Project L” is a highly anticipated 2v2-based fighting game by Riot Games. More details about the game will be unveiled later in 2024.

Definitions:
1. Severance pay: Compensation provided to employees who are laid off or terminated from their jobs, typically as a form of financial support during their transition to new employment.

2. Indie developers: Independent game developers who create games without the backing of major publishers or companies.

Suggested related link:
Riot Games – Check out Riot Games’ official website for more information about their games and updates.

The source of the article is from the blog procarsrl.com.ar