“We’re spending significantly more than we’re making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded,” said Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, as the company announced it would lay off over 1,000 employees. This drastic measure comes in response to declining engagement with Fortnite, which had over 650 million registered players worldwide in 2025, and broader challenges facing the gaming industry.

This latest round of layoffs marks Epic’s second major workforce reduction in three years, following a cut of about 830 jobs in September 2023, which represented roughly 16% of its workforce. The company now employs approximately 4,000 people, meaning the recent layoffs account for about 20% of its total workforce. The decision to reduce staff is part of a broader strategy to save $500 million by cutting contracting and marketing expenses and eliminating open roles.

Despite Fortnite’s massive player base, the average playtime has sharply declined, indicating that even popular games are struggling to maintain player engagement in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Epic Games is not only competing with other gaming titles but also with social media and various forms of online entertainment that vie for players’ attention.

In a recent development, Epic Games announced that starting March 10, 2026, it will hike the price of its in-game currency, V-Bucks. An $11.99 pack that previously provided players with 1,000 V-Bucks will now only yield 800 V-Bucks. This decision has raised eyebrows among the gaming community, prompting discussions about the implications for player loyalty and the broader gaming ecosystem.

Epic Games has justified the price increase by stating, “The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot and we’re raising prices to help pay the bills.” This rationale, however, has not quelled concerns among players and industry analysts alike. Alex Baudet, a gaming analyst, questioned the necessity of such a price adjustment, asking, “Does Fortnite really have to change its pricing to keep making money or to survive as a company?” This sentiment reflects a growing unease about the balance between profitability and player satisfaction.

Additionally, the gaming landscape has seen a shift in player engagement. In 2025, player hours on Fortnite dropped to 6.65 billion, a notable decline compared to previous years. Stephen Totilo, a gaming journalist, pointed out that while Fortnite remains one of the biggest video games globally, the decrease in player engagement raises questions about its long-term viability. The ongoing legal battles, particularly with Apple, further complicate this situation, as Fortnite remains unavailable on the App Store.

The wider picture

The recent price hike comes on the heels of a settlement between Epic Games and Google, which included an $800 million deal. Google also announced a reduction in the percentage it takes from in-app payments, lowering it from 30% to between 10% and 20%. This shift could potentially ease some financial pressures on developers, yet the question remains whether it will be enough to offset the increased costs passed on to players.

Industry experts are divided on the implications of this price increase. Dean Takahashi, a prominent gaming journalist, noted that there is a “level of goodwill that gamers extend to games where they feel like they’re not being over-monetized or they’re not being targeted for extraction.” This highlights the delicate balance that developers must maintain to keep their player base engaged while also ensuring financial sustainability.

As Fortnite prepares for its new season, which will feature characters like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s The Foundation and Bugs Bunny, the community is left to ponder the future of the game. Will the price hike alienate loyal players, or will it be accepted as a necessary evolution in the gaming economy? Observers suggest that the outcome will depend heavily on how Epic Games navigates its ongoing legal challenges and adapts to the changing landscape of player expectations.

In summary, while Fortnite continues to be a dominant force in the gaming world, the upcoming changes in pricing and the ongoing legal battles present significant challenges. As players await the new season and the implications of these developments, the gaming community remains vigilant, ready to respond to the evolving dynamics of one of its favorite titles.

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Fortnite servers are currently down for scheduled maintenance ahead of the launch of Season 7 Chapter 2, with downtime starting at 6 AM GMT (2 AM ET / 11 PM PT on March 18). Players can expect the servers to come back online around 11 AM GMT (7 AM ET / 4 AM PT), marking a significant moment for the community as they gear up for the new content.

The maintenance is expected to last approximately three hours, during which matchmaking has already ended. As confirmed by Fortnite Status, “Downtime for v40.00 begins at 2 AM ET (6 AM UTC) with matchmaking ending shortly beforehand.” This structured approach aims to ensure a smooth transition into the new season.

The update will introduce the new Battle Royale Season titled Fortnite Showdown, which features a narrative conflict between The Foundation and Ice King. Players can look forward to a fresh storyline that promises to engage the community further.

Included in this update is the new Battle Pass, which boasts a total of 100 tiers, with The Foundation skin as a primary tier reward. This addition is likely to excite players eager to customize their characters with new skins.

Moreover, players on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One can pre-download the update, ensuring they are ready to jump back into the action as soon as the servers are restored. This feature highlights Epic Games’ commitment to enhancing user experience.

Historically, extended downtime during major releases has reached up to six hours, raising concerns among players about server stability. However, Epic Games has implemented staged rollouts across different regions to conduct server stability checks, which may mitigate potential issues.

As the gaming community awaits the return of the servers, observers are keen to see how the new season unfolds and what surprises Epic Games has in store. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any additional features or changes that may accompany the launch.

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