Riot Games labels Runeterra MMO 'the grail' as 2XKO development ends
Co-founder Marc Merrill acknowledges the high risk of the studio's ambitious MMO project following the decision to sunset its fighting game.
Riot Games is doubling down on its long-awaited Runeterra MMO while simultaneously retreating from the fighting game genre. The studio's leadership has framed the massive multiplayer project as a high-stakes gamble that could either define the company or end in failure.
During a keynote at PAX West 2026, Riot Games co-founder and CPO Marc Merrill revealed that the untitled MMO is referred to as "the grail" internally. Merrill acknowledged the inherent danger of the genre, stating, "We jokingly call it the grail internally because we're like 'f*ck it, many a brave knight are going to die'."
This admission comes on the heels of Riot's announcement that it has ended active development for 2XKO, its competitive fighting game. While the game will remain live for existing players and the company is issuing refunds for purchases, the decision to stop development marks a significant pivot. Merrill defended the move, asserting that 2XKO failed to build the "critical mass" necessary to survive in a crowded live-service market, though he maintained that the decision was not a reflection of the game's quality.
A Pattern of Volatility
The shift in strategy follows a period of instability for Riot's broader portfolio of live-service titles. The company has a documented history of scaling back ambitious projects; in 2024, Riot reduced the scope of Legends of Runeterra and shuttered its indie publishing arm, Riot Forge. The MMO itself has been a subject of internal turmoil for years, having undergone a complete restart in development after an initial phase involving former Blizzard lead Greg Street.
The Trust Gap
The timing of these announcements has created a visible trust gap between Riot and its community. By describing the MMO as a "grail"—a prize that is notoriously difficult to obtain—immediately after sunsetting 2XKO, the studio has fueled skepticism regarding its ability to provide long-term support. Industry analysts and players alike fear that the MMO may face a similar fate if it cannot achieve immediate, massive scale upon launch.
Looking Ahead
As Riot continues development on the Runeterra MMO, the industry will be watching to see if the studio can break the cycle of project volatility. While the "grail" remains the company's primary ambition, the failure of 2XKO to reach critical mass serves as a cautionary tale for the studio's most expensive venture to date. It remains to be seen how Riot will manage player expectations for a project that its own leadership admits is a perilous quest.