The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Epic Games announced on March 24, 2026, that it would lay off more than 1,000 employees. CEO Tim Sweeney blamed a downturn in Fortnite engagement and wider business pressures; criticism followed over the cuts and the company’s response. Reports also documented a separate case involving a laid-off employee with terminal cancer. Those examples show specific points of controversy, not how representative the backlash was.
What Epic announced on March 24, 2026
In a note to employees, Epic said it would cut more than 1,000 jobs. The Associated Press reported that the cuts amounted to about 20% of the workforce and that Epic would have 4,000 employees afterward. Epic’s own announcement specified the number of job cuts, not the workforce percentage.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Fortnite eGift Card | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Fortnite eGift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Fortnite eGift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sweeney’s explanation was that “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.” That is Epic’s account of the decision, not an independently audited explanation. Epic’s March 24 announcement also said the company had identified more than $500 million in savings through contracting, marketing, and closing some open positions.
Why Epic said it was cutting jobs
Epic described a combination of pressures, rather than attributing the layoffs to a single change. Its stated reasons included slower growth and weaker spending, tougher cost economics, and current consoles selling less than the preceding generation. The company also pointed to competition for people’s time from other entertainment, challenges in delivering consistent Fortnite seasons, and its early-stage return to mobile.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Sweeney specifically addressed speculation about automation: “Since it’s a thing now, I should note that the layoffs aren’t related to AI.” This is Epic’s stated position. The company’s announcement does not establish an independent causal assessment of the layoffs or its business conditions.
What benefits Epic announced for affected employees
Epic said affected employees would receive at least four months of base-pay severance, with additional amounts based on tenure. It also announced extended Epic-paid healthcare, specifying six months of paid coverage for U.S. employees. The announcement said Epic would accelerate stock-option vesting through January 2027 and extend the period for exercising equity options by up to two years. Benefit details beyond those stated terms should not be assumed for every employee or location.
Rank #2
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Why Sweeney and Epic faced criticism
Criticism of the layoff messaging
Windows Central reported sharp criticism in community responses to the layoffs and Sweeney’s remarks. Its coverage highlighted objections to praising employees after eliminating their jobs. Sweeney had described affected staff on social media as highly capable and said the cuts were not performance-based. The reported posts and their reaction counts are examples of online responses, not polling of Epic employees, players, or the public.
A reported case involving life insurance
The Guardian reported that Jenni Griffin, the wife of laid-off employee Mike Prinke, publicly said his terminal brain cancer and loss of employment also meant losing life insurance. Sweeney apologized, said Epic would contact the family and address the insurance issue, and said medical information was not a factor in the layoff decision. This is a reported individual case; it does not establish a general pattern or motive behind the cuts.
Rank #3
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
How the 2026 layoffs differ from Epic’s 2023 cuts
Epic also laid off employees in September 2023, but that was a separate round with a different stated business context and benefits package. Keeping the dates and figures attached to the right announcement avoids conflating the two events.
| Round | Scale | Epic’s stated context | Announced benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 24, 2026 | More than 1,000 jobs, according to Epic; about 20% of staff, according to AP | Fortnite engagement had declined since 2025, and Epic said it was spending significantly more than it earned amid wider business pressures. | At least four months of base pay, with tenure-based additions; six months of Epic-paid healthcare specified for U.S. employees; accelerated stock-option vesting through January 2027 and up to two years to exercise equity options. |
| September 28, 2023 | Around 16% of employees, according to Epic; 830 jobs and approximately 16% of the workforce at the time, according to AP | Epic said spending had exceeded earnings and described a lower-margin shift toward creator-generated Fortnite content. The round also involved divesting Bandcamp and spinning off most of SuperAwesome. | Epic’s 2023 statement described six months of base pay and six months of Epic-paid healthcare in the U.S., Canada, and Brazil, among other support. |
The 2023 figures and terms come from Epic’s September 28, 2023 announcement and AP’s 2026 report, which also placed the earlier round in context. They should not be applied to the 2026 package.
Rank #4
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
What Epic said it would focus on next
Epic said its priorities were fresh Fortnite seasons, gameplay, story, and live events. It also said it planned to accelerate developer tools as it moved from Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN toward Unreal Engine 6. Those are the company’s stated priorities, not evidence that the plans have been delivered.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
