Riot Games, known for their popular game League of Legends, attempted to create a Super Smash Bros. Melee-inspired project set within the League of Legends universe. However, according to journalist Mikhail Klimentov, their project codenamed ‘Pool Party’ was ultimately cancelled in late May. This decision came after Riot Games saw an opportunity to build and support the game’s esports scene, unlike Nintendo.
Despite Riot Games’ initial enthusiasm, a reassessment of the consumer appetite for a similar brawler after the failure of MultiVersus led to executives at Riot becoming cautious. This led to the cancellation of the project, with approximately 70-80 employees working on it. Half of the team members have been reassigned, while others are in the process of finding new positions within the company.
Continued Work on Project L
While the Super Smash Bros. inspired project was scrapped, Riot Games is still working on their new fighter 2XKO (formerly Project L). This project is scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Despite the setback with ‘Pool Party’, Riot Games is determined to make a mark in the fighting game genre with 2XKO.
The cancellation of Riot Games’ project raises the question of whether any developer outside of Nintendo will ever be able to match the quality of the Super Smash Bros. series. The success and popularity of the Smash series have set a high standard for brawlers, making it challenging for other companies to replicate the same level of success and fanfare.
Riot Games’ decision to cancel their Super Smash Bros. inspired project within the League of Legends universe highlights the difficulty of recreating the magic of a beloved franchise. Despite their efforts, the project’s cancellation serves as a reminder of the unique appeal and success of the Smash series, setting a high bar for any potential competitors.
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