The layoffs at Epic Video games not too long ago included a developer with terminal mind most cancers, and after this grew to become public, Epic’s CEO promised to “clear up the insurance coverage” for the affected household.
Mike Prinke, a former programmer at Epic, was among the many 1,000+ individuals who misplaced their jobs not too long ago as a part of downsizing on the Fortnite studio. His spouse, Jenni Griffin, posted on Facebook to say Prinke is combating terminal mind most cancers and that because of the layoff, “We did not simply lose income–we misplaced his life insurance coverage.”
“And since his situation is now thought of a pre-existing situation, he cannot get new protection. So now, as I face the fact of dropping my husband… I am additionally going through the fact of what kind of funeral/burial I can afford. How I’ll hold a roof over our heads. How I’ll shield our son and the life we constructed collectively. What is going to occur to our canine,” Griffin wrote.
Griffin added: “I actually imagine that if the individuals who made this choice understood the total human affect, they might not have meant this end result.”
On March 29, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said his firm is in touch with the household and “will clear up the insurance coverage for them.” He added, “There may be excessive confidentiality round medical info and it was not an element on this layoff choice. Sorry to everybody for not recognizing this terribly painful state of affairs and dealing with it upfront.”
Griffin confirmed this, saying, “We’re in talks now with the suitable individuals,” and that an replace ought to come by Tuesday, March 30.
The Epic layoffs included a number of senior employees and veterans, together with the artist who designed Jonesy, the face of Fortnite.
Explaining the cuts, Sweeney mentioned Fortnite has skilled a downturn in engagement since 2025, which has resulted in a state of affairs the place the developer is “spending considerably greater than we’re making.” Epic additionally introduced a $500 million cost-savings plan that can see cuts to contract work and advertising. Epic may even shut some open roles.
Moreover, Epic introduced that it was shutting down or scaling again a number of tasks, together with Rocket Racing, Ballistic, and Competition Battle Stage. What’s extra, Epic not too long ago raised V-Bucks costs to “assist pay the payments.”
Affected staffers are getting at the very least 4 months of severance pay, together with healthcare protection that extends for six months within the US. After the 1,000 cuts, Epic Video games can have about 4,000 employees on employees, a spokesperson advised Game File.