Epic layoffs are a bad sign, analyst says: ‘If Fortnite can’t make it, what chance do other games have?’

Another day, another awful games industry layoff. On March 24, Epic Games announced plans to cut more than 1,000 jobs, citing a “downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025″ along with the familiar “industry-wide challenges” CEOs love to invoke in these situations. “We’re spending significantly more than we’re making,” said Epic CEO Tim Sweeney in a blog post about the layoffs. On its face, the idea that gamers are spending less time playing Fortnite doesn’t sound like a bad thing. But the reality is more complicated.