Riot's MMO Future in Doubt After 2XKO Shutdown

Riot Games has shut down 2XKO, a fighting game that was released less than a year ago. The decision has left many questioning the future of Riot's upcoming MMO.
The shutdown of 2XKO is not solely due to its lack of success, but also because of the company's apparent impatience with its games. Riot laid off most of the game's developers, around 80 people, less than three weeks after its release.
This move has sparked concerns about the viability of MMOs in the gaming industry. MMOs are costly to run and require a significant amount of time to develop, making them a high-risk investment for game developers.
Riot's decision to shut down 2XKO so soon after its release suggests that the company may not be willing to invest the necessary time and resources into its MMO. This raises questions about the future of the game and whether it will be able to survive in a competitive market.
The success of MMOs is often dependent on their ability to sustain a player base over time. Games like World of Warcraft have been able to achieve this through steady development and a commitment to their players. However, Riot's decision to shut down 2XKO suggests that the company may not be willing to make this kind of commitment.
The article also mentions that Riot was able to throw $250 million at Arcane, a different game, which raises questions about the company's priorities and whether it is willing to invest in its MMO.
The shutdown of 2XKO has left many in the gaming industry wondering about the future of MMOs and whether they can survive in a market where companies are increasingly focused on short-term gains.
**The Cost of MMOs**
| 2XKO | MMOs in general | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run | "only a fraction of what it would take to trend toward sustainability" | High |
| Time to develop | Less than a year | Several years |
| Player base | Less than 1,700 players on Steam | Thousands to millions |
The article concludes by stating that the future of Riot's MMO is uncertain and that the company's decision to shut down 2XKO has left many in the gaming industry feeling gloomy about the prospects of the game.
The article is based on a source from PC Gamer, a well-known gaming publication.





