According to sources for esports journalist Jacob Wolf, Riot Games has been hit with layoffs. Wolf stated:
Riot Games is making layoffs, which started earlier today, multiple people have told me. Size and scope are unclear at the moment, so far I’ve heard of effects across recruiting & human resources, support and esports. Will do more reporting in the morning for the newsletter.
Riot’s historically not made many reductions in force in the past, but it’s in line with a broader trend in tech, gaming and entertainment as economic hardship begins to affect many corporations.
Riot Games has been the blunt of outrage especially those within the North America League of Legends scene. The company had previously announced plans to air matches in the LCS from its mid-afternoon timeslot to a 12:00 PM PT start alongside weekday broadcasts.
The company have since backtracked on those plans with the announcement this past Tuesday noting matches will be broadcasted on Fridays and Saturdays at 2p.m. PT.
