Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
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Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#21000 layoffs represents around 25% of Epic's total workforce.
Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#3I hate that Tim got lucky two times with initiatives of employees that went against his will. I hope epic falters.
Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#4As far as layoff packages go, this is pretty good. 6 months health insurance and at least 4 months pay. The last 2 layoffs I experienced were just 1 week pay for every year you worked there and zero extended health benefits. And they made sure to note that they didn’t have to pay out anything at all, legally.
The wording of the announcement is better than the usual corporate non-speak too.
Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#5> Today we’re laying off over 1000 Epic employees. I'm sorry we're here again. The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded.
Layoffs really, really suck, but at least there's not a whiff of the "we're doubling down on AI to boost productivity" cop out that we're seeing across the industry.
It's sad that a company being honest about a difficult decision is praiseworthy these days, but here we are.
Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#6I’ve wondered how much money was burned on Tim Sweeneys quixotic quest to re-create the Steam store. I know a lot of people who would religiously download the “free games” but never spent a cent.
Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#7> Today we’re laying off over 1000 Epic employees. I'm sorry we're here again. The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded. Layoffs really, really suck, but at least there's not a whiff of the "we're doubling down on AI to boost productivity" cop out that we're seeing across the industry.…
> Layoffs really, really suck, but at least there's not a whiff of the "we're doubling down on AI to boost productivity" cop out that we're seeing across the industry.
I agree, though it might also be worth pointing out that for a game company there's some risk in that messaging that doesn't exist for a normal SaaS company. Investors might like to hear it (whether it is the truth or not), but the game-playing audience tends to be only slightly less anti-generative-AI than say the art community.
Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#8>The folks impacted by the layoffs will receive a severance package that includes at least four months of base pay, with more based on tenure. We’re also extending Epic-paid healthcare coverage.
>For example, in the U.S., they’ll receive paid coverage for 6 months. We’ll also accelerate their stock options vesting through January 2027 and extend equity exercise options for up to two years.
Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#91000 layoffs represents around 25% of Epic's total workforce.
Ouch, that is huge. I assumed this was more like 10%
Re: Epic Games to cut more than 1k jobs as Fortnite usage falls
#10I’ve wondered how much money was burned on Tim Sweeneys quixotic quest to re-create the Steam store. I know a lot of people who would religiously download the “free games” but never spent a cent.
In fairness, someone has to try. We can't rely on GabeN being (relatively) benign without serious competition.