Riot Games Announces Major Restructuring: 530 Jobs Cut and Riot Forge Closure

Riot Games, the developer behind League of Legends, has revealed plans to lay off approximately 11% of its workforce, equivalent to 530 employees. According to CEO Dylan Jadeja, the layoffs primarily affect teams outside of core game development. Affected employees will receive comprehensive severance packages, including a minimum of six months of pay, a cash bonus, and extensive support services. The company is also scaling back the scope of Legends of Runeterra and discontinuing its publishing label, Riot Forge, which focused on developing titles within the League of Legends universe. Jadeja explained that despite efforts to make Legends of Runeterra successful, it has not met expectations, necessitating a reduction in team size and a shift in focus towards the 'Path of Champions' game mode. Riot Forge will cease operations after the release of Bandle Tale on February 24. The decision to shut down Forge stems from the company's reassessment of its strategy, prioritizing core development over external collaborations. Jadeja attributed the need for restructuring to the company's rapid expansion since 2019, which led to unsustainable costs and a lack of focus. Despite attempts to adjust by reducing project scopes and slowing down hiring, the company deemed it necessary to make more significant changes, including the layoffs, to refocus its business and prioritize player value.