In a recent livestream, popular Twitch creator Zack “Asmongold” shared his thoughts on the recent layoffs at Riot Games and the shutdown of the company’s Forge project. Riot Forge was a collaborative effort between Riot Games and other developers to create video games based on popular IPs like Runeterra. The news of Riot Games cutting 530 jobs, which accounts for 11% of its global workforce, caught the attention of the gaming community.
Asmongold expressed his opinion on the failure of Riot Forge, stating that the individuals responsible for marketing the games and determining their pricing should be the ones held accountable. He criticized the decision to sell games at a high price point to an audience accustomed to free-to-play games with paid cosmetics. Major titles from Riot Games, such as Valorant, League of Legends, and Teamfight Tactics, follow this free-to-play model.
Asmongold cited the pricing strategy as a key factor in the financial failure of games like Magekeeper. He argued that these games should have been priced according to their value rather than their IP. He pointed out that Mageseeker, for example, was priced at $40, whereas its perceived value should have been closer to $15.
Fans of Asmongold resonated with his viewpoint, expressing agreement with the pricing issue. The shutdown of Riot Forge came as a surprise to many in the gaming community, as the studio is known for its success in the esports industry. Riot Games was recently awarded Publisher of the Year at the 2023 Esports Awards, with Valorant winning Esports Game of the Year.
The layoffs and closure of the experimental Riot Forge section mark a significant change for Riot Games. Asmongold’s commentary sheds light on the potential reasons behind the games’ lack of success and raises questions about the company’s decision-making process. With the gaming community closely watching, it remains to be seen how Riot Games will navigate these changes and continue to thrive in the industry.
