Riot Games is calling it quits on its League of Legends fighting game, 2XKO, just a year since its launch—talk about a swift exit! The company cites that players haven’t stuck around enough to ensure sustainability, wrapping up active development by the end of 2026. Servers will keep humming through 2027, and all characters plus refunds for purchases are on the table.

But let’s roast this a bit: is Riot really surprised after giving us a beta in October ’25 and then expecting a full-blown tournament scene by January? The game launched on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S—basically everywhere except the moon! Yet, somehow, it wasn’t enough to draw in legions of loyal fighters.

Assuming players were just too busy battling in the Summoner’s Rift, Riot says they didn’t see enough stick-to-itiveness. Perhaps the learning curve was steep or the roster felt a bit too thin for its own good? With all characters unlocked and refunds offered, it seems like Riot is handing out freebies to make up for the quick retreat.

And here’s the kicker—Riot’s been so focused on MOBAs that they might’ve overlooked that fighting games thrive on consistent, intense competition. Did anyone really think 2XKO would become the next Street Fighter without a solid player base first? Maybe Riot should have waited until the dust settled post-launch before pulling the plug. After all, even a half-baked fighter can find its niche if given enough time!