Fortnite removes controversial emote following Epic Games layoffs
When you think of the big hitters in terms of free-to-play games, the seemingly untouchable three of Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Fortnite rule supreme in the microtransaction market. Sadly, it seems that at least one of these has been fudging the numbers, as mass layoffs have struck Epic Games.
Not just known as the father of Fortnite, Epic Games has the likes of Rocket League on its books. More recently, it acquired Fall Guys developer Mediatonic. Instead of becoming a gaming giant like Microsoft acquiring multiple studios, Epic admits it's been spending beyond its means.
Fortnite hit with mass layoffs
Click to enlargeThe same week that SEGA has shut down the laughter on HYENAS, Epic has announced the mass layoff of 830 staff. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney sent an email to staff (shared via a blog post), explaining what's going on at the troubled publisher.
Sweeney said that while Fortnite is starting to grow again, this is in the area of creator content, which involves a high revenue share. Despite a move to net zero hiring and cutting operating spend on the likes of marketing, Sweeney admitted that Epic "ended up far short of financial sustainability."
Saying that layoffs are "the only way," Sweeney claims that by cutting the foot off now (and at this scale) should save the leg. A revamp of music service platform Bandcamp and kid-safe tech company SuperAwesome will account for around 250 of the layoffs.
Two thirds of the layoffs come from "outside of core development," suggesting the big fish of Fortnite should be largely safe from the scythe. Fortnite will prioritise the next season of Fortnite, Chapter 5, the codenamed "Del Mar" Fortnite racing game, and the "Juno" codenamed LEGO collab.
Fortnite pulls 'Share the Wealth' emote
With tensions running high over at Epic - and an angry legion of players calling out the company's tactics - now probably isn't the best time to be splashing the cash. In a case of unfortunate timing, Epic has pulled the "Share the Wealth" emote from the Fortnite shop.
The Fortnite shop is planned weeks in advance, meaning no one could've know a literal emote of throwing dollar bills was going to be able to buy on the same day 830 people were losing their jobs. One player chuckled, "Bruh 💀 Epic really emoting on them," while another said, "That's so funny of them ngl."
Alongside Travis Scott and the "Bear Hug" emote, "Share the Wealth" could find itself on the ban list. Then again, it's more likely that "Share the Wealth" will just be taken out of the shop for now. With the departure of Donald Mustard and the announcement of a V-bucks price rise, timing couldn't be worse for Epic Games.
