Riot Games, the powerhouse behind League of Legends and Valorant, is cutting 530 jobs globally and closing down Riot Forge, its division for smaller single-player games collaboration.
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Behind the Cuts
CEO Dylan Jadeja attributes the layoffs to an overload of ongoing projects, despite efforts to control costs. Riot Games, however, is offering substantial support, including a minimum of six months of severance pay, cash bonuses, and additional assistance for affected employees.
Jadeja clarified that Riot Forge's closure doesn't signal an end to single-player experiences at Riot Games. Instead, the focus will shift to existing titles, with the possibility of new single-player projects if the right concept arises.
Industry Concerns
The layoffs also impact Legends of Runeterra's team, focusing solely on the "Path of Champions" PvE game mode. This news adds to an industry-wide trend, with Twitch and Unity laying off 2,300 employees this month. This spike raises concerns, especially considering over 9,000 job losses in the gaming industry in 2023. Observers are wary, hoping for a more stable job market as 2024 progresses.
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