Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, has recently undergone a significant restructuring, marked by substantial layoffs and a strategic pivot towards its collaboration with Disney.
What happened
Epic Games laid off a significant number of employees. This decision coincided with the shuttering of several Fortnite-related game modes, including Ballistic and Rocket Racing. The company is now focusing on its $1.5 billion Disney deal, with the first game expected to arrive in November.
How many employees affected
Over 1000 employees were laid off by Epic Games.
Why layoffs happened
The layoffs were attributed to "industry-wide challenges" as well as "challenges unique to Epic." Several internal projects, such as the mobile store and user-generated games initiatives, failed to meet expectations, adding pressure on the company.
Company background
Epic Games is a leading game developer known for the popular battle royale game Fortnite. The company has also made attempts to expand into other areas, such as mobile gaming and user-generated content platforms.
Industry impact
The layoffs at Epic Games reflect broader challenges within the gaming industry. The company's focus on a Disney collaboration highlights the increasing importance of established intellectual property in the gaming market.
What's next
Epic Games is now heavily invested in its Disney partnership, with multiple games in development. The success of these games is critical for the company's future. Resources have been shifted to ensure the timely release of these projects. The first Disney game is reportedly set to be an extraction shooter.
Source: rockpapershotgun.com