Epic Games Lays Off Over 1,000 Employees, Scales Back Fortnite Modes
Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, has announced a significant restructuring, including the layoff of over 1,000 employees and the discontinuation of several Fortnite game modes. The move comes as the company seeks to cut costs amid declining player engagement in newer Fortnite offerings.
Layoffs and Cost-Cutting Measures
On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Epic Games announced it was laying off over 1,000 employees, representing a substantial portion of its workforce. Game Informer reports that this decision is linked to the company’s need to reduce expenses. The layoffs impact various divisions within Epic, signaling a broader strategic shift.
Fortnite Mode Shutdowns
As part of the restructuring, Epic Games will be shutting down three Fortnite game modes: Rocket Racing, Ballistic, and Festival Battle Stage (the PVP mode within Fortnite Festival). Gamerant confirms these modes will be permanently removed in 2026. Epic stated that these modes failed to attract and retain a large enough player base to justify continued development and maintenance.
Rocket Racing
Rocket Racing, the oldest of the three modes being discontinued, will go offline in October 2026. Kotaku details that all official Rocket Racing tracks and user-created islands will be removed. Creators are being given the opportunity to move their content to standalone islands to preserve their work. Racing quests will also be removed soon, though cars and vehicle customization items will remain usable in other Fortnite experiences.
Ballistic
Ballistic, Fortnite’s attempt at a competitive first-person shooter similar to Counter-Strike, will be removed on April 16, 2026. Players can still participate and rank up in Ballistic until that date. Epic plans to incorporate more FPS game creation tools into Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) to allow players to build their own similar modes. Ballistic was initially launched in December 2024.
Festival Battle Stage
Festival Battle Stage, the PVP component of Fortnite Festival, is also being shut down. Details regarding the exact shutdown date are forthcoming.
Reasons for the Changes
Epic Games attributes the decision to discontinue these modes to a lack of sustained player interest. Esports.gg highlights that all three modes experienced a significant drop in player numbers following their launch. The company is refocusing its resources on core Fortnite experiences and other projects.
Looking Ahead
These changes represent a significant shift for Epic Games as it navigates a changing gaming landscape. The company’s decision to streamline its Fortnite offerings and reduce its workforce underscores the challenges of maintaining player engagement in a competitive market. Epic’s future strategy will likely focus on strengthening its core Fortnite experience and investing in new opportunities within the metaverse and game development tools.