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iot Games (makers of games such as League of Legends, Legends of Runeterra and Valorant) have announced the closure of their Australian operations.

Riot Games said the Australian market was no longer sufficient to support the Oceanic Pro League (OPL) financially.

A Riot Games statement said: “unfortunately, despite the best efforts of our teams and players, the OPL has not met our goals for the league, and we do not believe that the market is currently able to support a professional league.”

Riot Games confirmed their Sydney office will close and players in the Oceanic (OCE) region will be integrated into the North American player pool.

This is a massive blow for the Australian esports scene, with Riot Games also confirming 10 full-time employees have lost their job due to the decision.

Following the news of the immediate closure, Australian based ‘Legacy Esports’ has announced they will continue to compete in 2021.

“Following a standout year with two OPL titles and a record Worlds 2020 run we are saddened by today’s news that the Riot Games Oceania office is closing and with it the Oceanic Pro League as we know it.”

As the news continued to spread, the esports community started demonstrating their disappointment on Twitter.

Esports commentator, Max Anderson, said on Twitter: “devastating news about the OPL today.”

“Without OCE and all the wonderful people that built the flagship office down under I wouldn’t have been able to be a part of any of my proudest achievements in my life.

“I’d be in an office somewhere,” he said.

OPL host, Jake Tiberi, also added his sadness on Twitter when he learnt the news of the closure.

“The OPL has been my livelihood for six years,” Tiberi said.

“I first started full-time for Riot in 2015 and went full focus on what my dream was.

“Today I feel nothing but sadness for everyone involved in League of Legends in OCE,” he said.

Riot games confirmed in their statement they will also hold qualifying tournaments in OCE for both MSI and Worlds in 2021, ensuring teams from the region will continue to be represented at their two major global events next season.