Epic Games Cuts Over 1,000 Jobs Amid Fortnite Challenges

Epic Games, the studio behind the global hit Fortnite, has laid off over 1,000 employees in response to financial struggles. According to industry insider Jason Schreier, Epic is reducing costs by $500 million as Fortnite’s revenue falls short of expectations despite its immense popularity.

Epic cited slower growth across the gaming industry and a difficult economic climate as contributing factors. Internally, the company points to inconsistent reception of various Fortnite seasons and ongoing efforts to optimize the game for smartphones as key hurdles. Notably, this marks the second major wave of layoffs at Epic Games, following the termination of 830 employees last year.

The scope of the changes is significant: several game modes, including Rocket Racing, Ballistic, and Festival Battle Stage, have been discontinued. Additionally, standalone racing titles like Horizon Chase and Horizon Chase Turbo will no longer be available.

To chart a new course, Epic plans to enhance future seasons of Fortnite with improved gameplay, storylines, and live events. They are also transitioning from Unreal Engine 5 to Unreal Engine 6, signaling a technological leap as they aim for a major relaunch later this year.

The Expanse: New RPG Teased with Gameplay Details

Fans of The Expanse series have something to look forward to with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Owlcast Games released a 20-second teaser showcasing the upcoming role-playing game that draws inspiration from the science fiction books and TV series. The game is set during the events of the first novel and early seasons of the show, placing players in the shoes of a customizable protagonist.

The RPG will take players across space alongside a developing crew composed of members from Earth, Mars, and other colonies. While lighter in tone than the books, tough moral decisions and expansive storytelling will still be cornerstones.

Gameplay-wise, Osiris Reborn appears to take cues from the Mass Effect franchise, focusing less on shooting mechanics and more on tactical, crew-based missions. The teaser's highlight shows an under-attack space station, giving a glimpse of third-person combat and cover mechanics. New information is expected during Xbox’s partner showcase, scheduled for tomorrow at 6 PM CET.

Pokémon Champions: A New Battle-Focused Experience

Nintendo’s latest trailer has unveiled full details about Pokémon Champions, slated for release on April 8 for the Nintendo Switch. Unlike traditional Pokémon games, Champions centers exclusively on battles. Players can face off against AI or rival trainers worldwide in turn-based battles.

The game introduces unique mechanics for acquiring new Pokémon. Players can transfer creatures from mainline Pokémon games or Pokémon Go to assemble their team. There’s also a recruitment program, which offers the option to choose one Pokémon daily from a randomized list.

Victory points earned in ranked battles allow players to boost specific Pokémon stats like speed and health. Monetization includes a seasonal Battle Pass priced at approximately $7.59, with starter packs and monthly memberships priced separately.

Nacon and Studio Closures

The gaming industry’s financial turbulence also struck Nacon, with three of its subsidiary studios—Spiders, Kylotonn, and Cyanide—filing for insolvency. These studios have been behind popular titles such as GreedFall and World Rally Championship. Nacon, which has over 25 subsidiaries and more than 1,000 employees, was already undergoing financial restructuring earlier this year.

Recent closures also extend to Sony’s Dark Outlaw Games, a studio spearheaded by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell. The studio, which never announced its first project, was shuttered just a month after Sony closed its Bluepoint remaster studio.

Slay the Spire 2 Dominates Deckbuilding Genre

Mega Crit’s Slay the Spire 2 has taken the deckbuilding genre by storm, becoming the most successful game of its kind with an unprecedented daily userbase of 1.08 million in its first 11 days. The sequel reached a peak of 575,000 concurrent players on Steam, eclipsing competitors like Monster Train and the original Slay the Spire. Analysts from Newzoo attribute this success to a seven-year gap since the first title and positive goodwill from the developer’s early-access practices.

Classic Gaming Spotlight: Black & White’s Legacy

This week marks the 25th anniversary of Black & White, Lionhead Studios’ ambitious god simulation game. Designed by Peter Molyneux, the game broke ground with its gesture-based controls, machine-learning AI, and gameplay free from on-screen HUDs. Although it received critical acclaim with high review scores, its legacy has faded as licensing issues prevent its modern availability.

Good Old Games (GOG) continues to advocate for preserving the game for modern audiences, but for now, those without a 2001 disc copy are out of luck.

Conclusion

This week’s gaming news reveals an industry in flux. Epic Games and Nacon face significant financial hardships, leading to layoffs and uncertain futures. Meanwhile, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and Pokémon Champions promise to bring exciting new gameplay experiences. And as Slay the Spire 2's record-breaking success proves, long development periods and strong community trust can still deliver huge wins. Despite the challenges, there's much for gamers to anticipate in the weeks ahead.