Riot Games, the developer behind League of Legends, has initiated another round of layoffs, primarily affecting the team working on its flagship game. This marks the second round of job cuts by the company in 2024, following a major reduction earlier in the year. A total of 32 employees have been let go, with 27 coming from the League of Legends team and five from its publishing division.
Marc Merrill, co-founder of Riot Games, explained that these layoffs are part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at preparing League of Legends for its “next phase.” Merrill emphasized that the decision was not financially motivated but rather focused on ensuring the right expertise is in place for the long-term success of the game. Despite the cuts, he reassured players that the development team will eventually expand as Riot continues to evolve the game over the coming years.
This announcement coincides with the 15th anniversary of League of Legends, a time when many players are celebrating the game’s legacy. Despite the layoffs, Riot has committed to supporting those affected with severance packages, including six months’ pay and additional benefits.
This round of cuts follows a much larger reduction in January 2024, when over 500 positions were eliminated across various teams, including the closure of Riot Forge, the company’s indie publishing arm.
