Key Takeaways
- Riot Games laid off 27 League of Legends PC developers and 5 publishing sector workers.
- Layoffs are part of the company’s long-term strategy to maintain the quality of its games in the future.
- Laid-off staff members will receive a severance package, bonus, and job placement assistance.
As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness and concern as yet another wave of layoffs sweeps through the video game industry. Riot Games, the powerhouse behind League of Legends and Valorant, has announced that it will be letting go of 32 employees, a move that is undeniably disheartening for both the gaming community and those directly affected.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to share some news that’s hit us hard in the gaming community. In an unfortunate turn of events, Riot Games, the powerhouse behind our beloved games like League of Legends and Valorant, has decided to part ways with 32 team members from their League of Legends PC development team and publishing sector. This is the second round of layoffs this year for the company, founded by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill in 2006. It’s a tough time for us all, but let’s hope that Riot Games continues to thrive and bring us more awesome gaming experiences in the future.
In January 2024, Riot Games disclosed plans for staff reductions, affecting around 11% of their workforce, or approximately 530 employees. This move also included the shutdown of its publishing label, Riot Forge, known for games like “Ruined King” and “Song of Nunu”. At that time, CEO A. Dylan Jadeja, a long-term member of the senior management team, explained that the company had become financially untenable due to several risky investments that did not yield returns as expected.
Through a social media post, Marc Merrill (co-founder of Riot Games) clarified that the recent layoffs are strategically planned to ensure that the company possesses the necessary skills to maintain “League of Legends” as exceptional for another 15 years and beyond. Merrill emphasized that these reductions were not due to financial constraints, rather a commitment to preserving Riot Games’ successful game portfolio. This announcement served as comforting news to concerned fans. As for the extent of the layoffs, it was initially uncertain; however, according to Game Developer, 27 employees from the “League of Legends” PC development team and an additional 5 from Riot’s publishing division were affected by these changes.
Riot Games Announces Layoffs of 32 Employees
Merrill announced that affected employees would receive a six-month severance pay, an annual bonus, healthcare coverage, and job placement aid as part of the post. Riot Games’ recent layoffs, which constitute another significant reduction by a gaming company this year, are notable. At the beginning of 2024, Unity reduced its workforce by around 25% after facing difficulties due to scandals and a change in leadership.
Lately, the mobile game development company NaturalMotion Games has been affected by layoffs, resulting in a whole studio in the UK being shut down. In 2023, approximately 10,000 video game workers lost their jobs, with another 13,000 in 2024. As companies like Riot Games keep announcing staff reductions, it remains uncertain how long this devastating and disheartening trend will persist.
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2024-10-16 13:43