The layoffs continue this week with League of Legends developer Riot Games eliminating 46 positions as delineated by investigative reporter Jacob Wolf. These layoffs are centered around Riot Games’ publishing, recruiting, and esports divisions. While the company is undergoing layoffs, they also confirmed their plans to hire 150+ people with positions currently open.
Riot Games eliminated 46 positions on Wednesday, the company confirmed in a statement.
Groups impacted include publishing, talent acquisition/recruiting and esports. Company says it is still planning to hire 150+ people with currently open positions.https://t.co/ltY2Ir5qXG
— Jacob Wolf (@JacobWolf) January 19, 2023
These layoffs follow a wave of similar employee dismissals in the gaming world with Microsoft announcing its plans of eliminating around 10,000 jobs; Halo Infinite developer 343 Interactive getting hit especially hard by the layoffs. NetEase is also undergoing layoffs following the end of the Netease Blizzard Partnership.
It would seem that gaming and tech companies alike are beginning to cut positions that became bloated during the pandemic years when gaming was at an all-time high. While Riot Games’ developer positions seem safe for the time being, other companies might not be as lucky as corporations compensate for multiple game delays and a poor economy.
Aspen Pash, News Editor
Aspen is an avid gamer and Twitch streamer currently residing in Japan. She is most attracted to games narrative design and is a huge fan of player choice in games. If Aspen is not playing games, she is most certainly writing about them.
