The second round affected 32 employees across League of Legends and the publisher.
Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, VALORANT, Teamfight Tactics, and more, has confirmed layoffs that have affected 32 more employees.
This follows an earlier wave of cuts in January, which saw 530 staff members laid off as part of cost-reduction measures, and also ironically came alongside LoL’s 15th year anniversary.
According to a report from IGN, a spokesperson for Riot confirmed that the latest layoffs have impacted 27 employees on the League of Legends development team and an additional five roles in the publishing department, which amounts to about 32 employees.
Among the affected employees is VALORANT Global Community Manager Jo Ellen.
Those affected by the layoffs will receive a severance package that includes a minimum of six months' pay, an annual bonus, job placement assistance, and health coverage.
Riot has also provided them with access to the company’s internal job board, giving them the opportunity to apply for other roles within the company.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Marc "Tryndamere" Merrill, Co-Founder of Riot Games, clarified the reasons behind these changes.
"This isn’t about reducing headcount to save money—it’s about making sure we have the right expertise so that League continues to be great for another 15 years and beyond."
Merrill emphasised that the decision was part of an effort to ensure that the LoL team remains effective in addressing both immediate and long-term goals.
Despite the job cuts, Merrill reassured the community that development on League of Legends would continue at full pace.
“We’re not slowing down work on the game you love,” he said. "We’re investing heavily in solving today’s challenges faster while also building for the future."
He noted that while team effectiveness was prioritised over team size, the League team is expected to grow larger as development progresses into the next phase.
Merrill acknowledged this significant milestone, reiterating that these changes are intended to support the game's future. “We have full confidence in Riot Meddler, Riot Pabro, and the League leadership team, who are leading the charge in this next phase of League’s journey.”
The 2024 layoffs continue a challenging trend for the gaming industry, which has seen over 13,000 jobs cut this year, according to a games industry layoffs tracker, with the latest being Riot Games and Bandai Namco, who have also reportedly canceled some games in development.
