Riot Games Announces Layoffs of League of Legends Developers While Planning Team Expansion

In a recent announcement, Riot Games revealed that they are laying off a number of developers from the League of Legends development team. This decision has raised eyebrows in the gaming community, especially as the company also committed to increasing the team size in the near future. Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill stated that the layoffs were not aimed at reducing headcount for cost-saving purposes, but rather to ensure that the team has the right expertise in place.

The official communication from Riot highlighted the importance of team effectiveness over sheer size. In an update shared via social media, Merrill emphasized that the company is shifting its focus towards building a smarter and healthier development team. “While we’re on the subject of team size, I want to talk a little about both size and budget, and why they aren’t the right way to measure whether a team will be successful,” he said.

For the employees affected by the layoffs, Riot is offering what they call a robust severance package. This includes a minimum of six months' pay, annual bonuses, health coverage, job placement assistance, and more. This package aims to support those impacted during their transition, reflecting Riot’s commitment to its workforce even amidst difficult decisions.

The layoffs come at a time when League of Legends is celebrating its 15th anniversary. In their communications, the company acknowledged the significance of this milestone while expressing hope that these changes are necessary to keep the game thriving for many more years. “This will allow League to be great for another 15 years and beyond,” said Merrill.

Notably, this is not the first time Riot has made reductions in its workforce. Earlier this year, the company laid off around 530 employees, approximately 11% of its total staff. This was part of a broader strategy to cut costs after what was described as taking on excessive “big bets” in the gaming industry. These not-so-distant layoffs have already initiated discussions regarding job security within the company.

As for the number of developers involved in the latest layoffs, a spokesperson confirmed that 27 roles were impacted specifically within the League of Legends development team, along with an additional five roles from the publishing team. Efforts are being made to assist those laid off by allowing them access to Riot's internal job board for new opportunities within the company.

This trend of layoffs in the gaming industry has been observed across various companies, with reports indicating that over 13,000 game developers have lost their jobs this year alone. The ongoing shifts in the gaming market and the economic landscape have prompted many companies, including major players like Riot Games, to reconsider their operational structures.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the focus seems to be shifting from merely expanding teams to ensuring that the right skills are brought to the fore. The recent developments at Riot Games reflect a larger trend in the industry striving for efficiency and effectiveness, even while grappling with the fallout of layoffs.

The gaming community will certainly be keeping a close eye on how these changes at Riot impact the ongoing development of League of Legends and what future innovations may arise as the team reconfigures itself for the challenges ahead.