“Many a brave knight are going to die” - Riot Games head Marc Merrill speaks on in-development MMO after 2XKO’s untimely demise
Riot Games co-founder and Chief Product Officer Marc Merrill addressed the company’s in-development MMO at PAX West 2026, expressing confidence despite recent concerns following the shutdown of the fighting game 2XKO.
Speaking with host Greg Miller at the panel, Merrill described the MMO as “the grail”—a reference to its ambitious scope and development challenges. He acknowledged the difficulty ahead with a candid quip: “Many a brave knight are going to die,” hinting at the obstacles the team will face during development. Despite these challenges, Merrill characterized the MMO’s future as “incredibly bright.”
The comments come in the wake of 2XKO’s unexpected discontinuation. The free-to-play fighting game, which launched earlier in 2026, has been shuttered despite having a playable release. This raised questions about the status of Riot’s other in-development projects, particularly the long-awaited MMO.
Merrill emphasized the team’s understanding of player expectations for the project. “We know what players’ hopes and dreams are,” he said, stressing that success ultimately depends on execution. While he offered few concrete details about the MMO’s progress or timeline during the brief exchange, his remarks suggested Riot remains committed to delivering on the project despite the setback of 2XKO’s closure. The comments provide reassurance that the MMO remains a priority for the studio.