In a surprising turn of events, Riot Games, the company behind the massively popular game League of Legends, announced layoffs affecting its development team. This decision comes at a time when the game is celebrating its 15th anniversary, raising questions about the company’s direction and the future of its flagship title.
What Happened?
On October 17, 2024, Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to share an update regarding the League of Legends development team. Merrill stated that the company would be laying off an unspecified number of developers. He emphasized that this move was not aimed at reducing costs but was instead intended to ensure the team has the “right expertise” to continue developing the game effectively.
In a follow-up post, Merrill explained that the success of a development team is not necessarily tied to its size. “If we’re solving the wrong problems, more resources won’t fix it,” he noted. His remarks suggested a focus on quality over quantity, stating that the League of Legends team would eventually grow larger as the game moves into what he called its “next phase.”
Why the Layoffs Are Happening
In his post titled “An Update on How We’re Evolving League,” Merrill made it clear that the layoffs are not about saving money. Instead, they are about ensuring the team has the right skills to move the game forward. He said, “While team effectiveness is more important than team size, the League team will eventually be even larger than it is today as we develop the next phase of League.”
To support those affected, Riot Games is offering a severance package that includes at least six months’ pay, an annual bonus, job placement help, health coverage, and more.
How Many Jobs Were Cut?
Merrill initially didn’t specify how many roles were eliminated, but a spokesperson later confirmed that 32 positions were cut—27 from the League of Legends team and 5 from the publishing team. Those laid off can use Riot’s internal job board to find new roles within the company.
The layoffs come just as League of Legends celebrates its 15th anniversary, making the timing particularly noteworthy.
The Numbers Behind the Layoffs
While the initial announcement did not specify how many employees would be affected, a spokesperson later confirmed that 32 roles were eliminated: 27 from the League of Legends team and 5 from the publishing team. This marks the second round of layoffs this year for Riot Games; back in January, the company laid off around 530 employees, approximately 11% of its total workforce, as part of a broader effort to cut costs.
Affected employees will receive a severance package that includes a minimum of six months’ pay, an annual bonus, job placement assistance, and continued health coverage. This support aims to soften the blow for those impacted by the layoffs, reflecting Riot’s commitment to its employees even in difficult times.
A Look Back at Recent Layoffs
This isn’t the first round of job cuts at Riot Games this year. In January, the company laid off 530 employees, about 11% of its total workforce. This earlier decision was made due to rising costs and disappointing returns on major projects.
Merrill’s comments about needing the right skills reflect the company’s effort to focus on long-term success. He noted, “If we’re solving the wrong problems, more resources won’t fix it. It’s about building smarter and healthier, not just bigger.”
Context: The State of the Gaming Industry
These layoffs are not an isolated incident. The gaming industry has faced significant challenges recently, with a layoff tracker reporting that over 13,000 game developers have lost their jobs this year alone. This trend follows a pattern established in previous years, with more than 10,000 layoffs in 2023 and over 8,000 in 2022. Many companies are struggling with the balance between expanding their offerings and maintaining financial stability, often resulting in tough decisions about staffing.
In January, Riot Games CEO Dylan Jadeja indicated that the company was grappling with a lack of focus, having taken on too many ambitious projects that ultimately did not yield the expected results. “Our costs have grown to the point where they’re unsustainable,” he stated in a letter to employees. This overarching theme of cost-cutting and reevaluation of priorities is evident in the recent layoffs.
What’s Next for League of Legends
Looking ahead, Riot Games is focused on expanding the League of Legends team to keep improving the game. The company plans to share more about its “ambitious plans” for League soon, as it works on refining its team structure and game development approach.
Despite the challenges, League of Legends remains one of the most successful free-to-play games worldwide, attracting millions of players. As the game approaches its 15th anniversary, the community is celebrating its legacy and the impact it has had on the gaming landscape. Merrill acknowledged this milestone in his announcement, highlighting the company’s commitment to ensuring that League of Legends remains a vibrant part of the gaming community for years to come.
The timing of the layoffs, coinciding with the League of Legends World Championship—a significant annual event in the esports calendar—has raised eyebrows. Many in the gaming community feel that announcing layoffs during a celebratory period creates a dissonance that is hard to ignore.
Conclusion
Announcing layoffs during a celebration for League of Legends is unfortunate. However, Riot Games is committed to its long-term vision for the game. By restructuring its team and focusing on the right skills, the company hopes to create a better development environment.
As the gaming industry faces challenges, with over 13,000 layoffs reported in 2023, Riot’s focus on strategic growth rather than just increasing headcount could serve as a valuable lesson for other developers. With promises of an expanded League team in the future, players can look forward to seeing their favorite game continue to grow and improve.
