Is Fortnite Shutting Down? Epic Games Layoffs, Explained

Fortnite has been rocked by major layoffs at Epic Games, leading to significant concern about the future of the title and questions on the survivability of the game.

While Fortnite remains one of the most popular games in the world, the latest string of layoffs shows Epic Games is not immune to the significant challenges facing the industry.

If you’re wondering what all the layoffs mean for Fortnite, and whether the game is shutting down, Insider Gaming has all the details.

Is Fortnite Shutting Down?

No, Fortnite is not shutting down entirely, although Epic Games has announced the end of several game modes.

While sensationalism has run wild following news of Epic Games’ mass layoffs, with declarations that Fortnite is ‘dying,’ the game is not shutting down. However, it remains to be seen how Fortnite will adapt to significant layoffs in the team.

Several big names were among the round of layoffs on March 24, including key writers, environmental artists, and operational experts, all of whom played an integral part in keeping Fortnite operating to the best it could.

Epic Games surely has contingency plans following the layoffs, but time will tell how it will affect Fortnite in the long-term.

What Game Modes Is Fortnite Removing?

Following the layoffs, it was announced that Rocket Racing, Fortnite Festival Battle Stage, and Fortnite Ballistic would be shut down in the near future.

Fortnite Ballistic and Fortnite Festival Battle Stage are being sunsetted on April 16 with the launch of the 40.20 update, while Rocket Racing has a few more laps before its farewell, which is set for October 2026.

However, Rocket Racing won’t continue in its current form, as Rocket Racing Quests are being removed next week, where track creation templates will be removed from UEFN, and there will be no further ranked rewards offered this season.

What Happened With The Epic Games Layoffs?

On March 25, 2026, Epic Games announced mass layoffs, with 1,000 employees being affected and losing their roles, including major figures at Fortnite.

In a statement, CEO Tim Sweeney stated the reasons were a “downturn in Fortnite engagement,” which started last year, meaning the company is “spending significantly more than we’re making.”

The layoffs come alongside “over $500 million of identified cost savings in contracting, marking, and closing some open roles,” but the company has faced criticism given the huge payouts that are made to UEFN Creators who make various game modes for Fortnite’s metaverse.

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For more Fortnite, read about the Beyblade collab rumours, and check out how LEGO may have accidentally teased a surprising return this season.