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Epic Games Implements Major Workforce Reduction Amid Fortnite Downturn

Company Restructuring In Response To Market Headwinds

Epic Games has announced layoffs affecting around 1,000 employees, according to a memo published on the company’s website. The decision follows a decline in Fortnite engagement that began in 2025 and has since affected revenue.

Financial Adjustments And Strategic Cost Savings

CEO Tim Sweeney said the slowdown has pushed costs above revenue, forcing the company to reduce spending. Alongside layoffs, Epic Games has identified more than $500 million in cost savings across areas such as contracting, marketing and unfilled roles. These steps are aimed at restoring financial balance and stabilising operations.

Employee Support And Operational Impact

The company said affected employees will receive four months of severance pay, with additional support for those with longer tenure. Employees in the United States will also retain healthcare coverage for six months after leaving. Sweeney noted that the layoffs are not linked to AI or automation. However, broader market factors, including supply chain constraints such as limited RAM availability and higher chip demand, have affected consumer spending.

Context And Market Implications

Epic Games recently increased the price of its in-game currency, V-Bucks, citing higher operating costs. This move, combined with layoffs and other cost reductions, reflects a broader effort to adjust to changing market conditions. The company’s actions highlight pressure across the gaming industry, where companies are balancing growth with cost control.

OpenAI Brings Unlimited Text Chats To Free ChatGPT Users

Unlimited Text Conversations Roll Out

OpenAI is removing limits on text-based conversations for all ChatGPT users, following the platform’s recent milestone of surpassing one billion weekly users.

The update introduces GPT-5.6 Luna as the default model for Free and Go users, replacing GPT-5.5.

New “Think” Button For More Complex Questions

Alongside unlimited text chats, Free and Go users will gain access to a new “Think” button, allowing them to use additional reasoning power for more complex queries.

OpenAI noted that separate usage limits will continue to apply to file uploads, image generation, voice features and other multimodal tools.

Faster Responses For Paid Subscribers

The update also brings improvements for ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers. They will receive access to GPT-5.6 Sol, an upgraded model designed for everyday tasks such as web research, planning, writing, decision-making and answering questions. According to OpenAI, the model delivers shorter, more robust responses.

The company noted that this version is separate from the GPT-5.6 Sol model used in Codex and Work, which remains unchanged. Plus and Pro subscribers will also receive a new thinking slider, allowing them to adjust how much reasoning the model applies before generating an answer, depending on the complexity of the task.

OpenAI Reports Fewer Errors

According to OpenAI’s internal testing, GPT-5.6 Luna produces 62% fewer factual errors than GPT-5.5 Instant, while GPT-5.6 Sol reduces factual errors by 68%.

The updated GPT-5.6 Sol model is available to Plus and Pro users starting today. The remaining features for Free and Go users will roll out throughout the week, with unlimited text chats and the new Think button becoming available next week.

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