Riot Games Layoffs Round 2 & Its Effect

As a long-time fan and follower of Riot Games, these continuous layoffs leave me feeling disheartened and concerned. I’ve been with this company since the early days of League of Legends, and it’s heartbreaking to see such a significant impact on the community that has given us so many cherished memories and experiences.

Another day, another round of Riot Games layoffs affecting workers.

Around 50 workers and potentialy more will be laid off from the studio!

But what does this mean, and will it affect Riot’s games?

Riot Games Layoffs Round 2

As a gamer, I’ve noticed some changes in Riot Games this year. The start was rocky with over 503 layoffs, but things seem to be taking a turn for the worse. However, co-founder of Riot emphasizes it’s all about “evolving” the studio. Moreover, they’ve been putting more emphasis on improving the PC version of League of Legends. #RiotUpdates #LeagueOfLegends

— Tryndamere (@MarcMerrill) October 15, 2024

Despite the wording, it’s clear that the Riot Games layoffs appear severe. The intention seems to be to eliminate certain positions and enhance team productivity. However, in the same statement, he also hints at the team growing larger than its current size in the future? This creates a paradoxical situation.

As a gamer and long-time follower of Riot Games, I can’t help but feel the weight of concern as I see veteran employees, some who’ve been here for over seven years, speaking up about the recent layoffs. It’s not just a newcomer’s worry; it’s the collective unease of those who’ve grown with the company and contributed to its success over the years.

It’s worth noting that several artists and animators from this group have been let go recently. Among them was the creator of the 500-dollar Ahri skin, who stirred controversy. Ben Rosado was also among those dismissed, which is unfortunate considering his impressive portfolio of work.

Indeed, if I’ve got the details right, the severity package seems quite generous. It’s said to include six months of salary, an annual bonus, healthcare coverage, and a job placement aid. Oh, and by the way, it also includes some exciting video games!

Regardless of whether the layoffs are seen as positive or negative, we can all concur that the timing is inappropriate. It feels quite ironic that this announcement comes immediately following the $500 skin drop.

No shade on the design, of course, mainly whoever the genius is who came up with the price.

I Predict A Riot

Let’s cut to the chase: what impact might this have on Riot Games and their titles? Frankly, we don’t know for sure. To be blunt, size doesn’t always guarantee quality.

It’s important to note that I’m not passing judgment on the Riot Games layoffs, but it’s clear that many game companies, including Riot, have been struggling with bloated teams and excessive budgets lately.

While it’s true that large teams are required in certain situations, such as creating a Massively Multiplayer Online game, it’s also worth noting that historical data and previous experiences suggest that mid-sized teams tend to produce the best results more often than not.

In the early 2000s, most video game development studios had a team size ranging from 20 to 50 individuals. However, for triple-A projects, these teams could grow to as many as 100 or even 200 people.

On the other hand, a team smaller than 100 members is classified as indie, while Triple A games employ over 500 people or more. The challenge many studios face is that they have an increased number of personnel involved in their projects. These developers often manage their project budgets like a gambler who wagers 90% of his finances on a single bet at the casino.

In simpler terms, it seems like the corporations are currently overgrown. Perhaps we might witness an increase in firms adopting Riot’s approach, similar to how Bandai Namco is doing it now.

But I am no expert. I am just some guy who is down 500 smackers!

2024-10-26 21:48

Riot Games Layoffs Round 2

I Predict A Riot

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