What's Happening?
2XKO, a new fighting game from Riot Games, has achieved significant success by ranking as the third-most downloaded free game on PlayStation's platform in the United States and Canada for January 2026. Despite being available for only 11 days, it surpassed popular titles like Marvel Rivals and Rocket League. However, Riot Games has been quiet about the game's overall player numbers, and recently announced layoffs affecting nearly half of the game's development team due to insufficient momentum to support the team long-term.
Why It's Important?
The high download ranking of 2XKO on PlayStation indicates a strong initial interest in the game, highlighting the potential for new titles to capture player attention quickly. However, the subsequent layoffs and lack of public
player data suggest challenges in sustaining long-term engagement and financial viability. This situation underscores the competitive nature of the gaming industry, where initial success does not always translate into sustained growth. The layoffs also reflect broader industry trends of adjusting team sizes post-launch to align with financial realities.
