Riot Games is making major changes to its League of Legends development team. It follows a round of layoffs earlier this year that reduced the company’s workforce by around 11 percent, firing about 500 employees. The latest announcement, made by Riot co-founder Marc “Tryndamere” Merrill, indicates that while some roles are being eliminated, the overall team size is expected to grow in the long term.
Merrill’s statement, shared via an X post, emphasized that the changes are not driven by cost-cutting measures but by a strategic shift aimed at enhancing the game’s development and sustainability. He said that the employees affected would get comprehensive severance packages, including six months’ pay, annual bonus, job placement assistance and health coverage.
This is indeed the right moment to make such an announcement considering the fact that it is exactly 15 years since the debut of League of Legends — the anniversary in itself is a reference point to the game’s evergreen popularity and the impact it has created. Merrill said the layoffs won’t affect the game’s success and evolution, and will instead be used to create a stronger and more sustainable development team.
The restructuring has cut 33 employees, 28 of which were from the League of Legends development team and five from Riot’s publishing division. This move follows a previous announcement in March, where the company revealed that its MMO game title was being “reset” due to its similarities with the main game.
The wider fallout of these changes has been reflected in the fact that former employees have increasingly spoken out, publicly. But Merrill is hopeful the team will eventually be bigger and better equipped to deliver what players need. Such as the fact that there is no point in increasing the team size if you do not have the right expertise and the right priorities.
Riot Games is ready to take League of Legends to the next level and stay at the forefront of the gaming business. The company’s approach is an indication that in an ever changing market, adaptability and innovation remain key. Though the layoffs are unfortunate, this is part of a broader plan to keep the game alive and still important.
Riot Games’ decision to restructure its League of Legends team is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the game’s development and sustainability. While the company has laid off staff, it is working on building a better and more sustainable team and is doing so to continue the game’s successful and growing legacy. With the industry evolving in the way it does, Riot Games is still making efforts to stay in the top spot.
