Fancy forming your own opinion of Peter Molyneux’s supposed final ever game, Masters of Albion? Outside of just commenting on a trailer that plays all the hits, that is? Well, you can, maybe, if you’re lucky enough, as Mr. Molyneux himself has put out a call for you to sign up to beta test the game ahead of its release next month.
**Sony Shuts Down Dark Outlaw Games Established by Jason Blundell**
Sony has confirmed the ending of Dark Outlaw Games, a PlayStation studio founded by Jason Blundell, a prominent figure from Treyarch recognized for his impactful work in the *Call of Duty* Zombies series. The studio’s termination was shared internally on Tuesday, representing a disappointing shift for Blundell, who had joined after a prior partnership with Deviation Games was called off.
In a discussion from just one year ago, Blundell conveyed his excitement about the chance to launch a new studio within PlayStation Studios, describing it as a “privilege.” He noted that Dark Outlaw was in its infancy and promised to share more details when they had something significant to showcase. Blundell emphasized the uniqueness of Sony initiating new first-party studios, which made the birth of Dark Outlaw a remarkable milestone.
However, the dissolution of Dark Outlaw Games aligns with a concerning trend for Sony, which has seen a rise in studio closures, including the recent shutdown of Bluepoint Games. This trend raises red flags regarding the stability and long-term strategy for new acquisitions and studio initiatives under the PlayStation 5 era.
Prior to establishing Dark Outlaw Games, Blundell co-founded Deviation Games, which sought to create a live-service title supported by Sony. Reports indicate that the project’s initial funding surpassed $200 million, but Sony chose to retract financial support due to difficulties in the development timeline, resulting in Deviation Games’ closure in 2024.
As the gaming landscape continues to shift, the closing of Dark Outlaw Games highlights the hurdles that new studios encounter, especially in an atmosphere that necessitates both innovation and economic sustainability. This situation is still evolving, and additional information may arise regarding the consequences of this closure for the PlayStation brand and its upcoming endeavors.
Sintopia, the very Bullfroggy strategy management game from developers Piraknights and publishers Team 17, will release on April 16th. I compared this one to The Screwtape Letters back at announcement, but the more obvious, gamer-brain pitch is that it’s Black & White sitting on top of Dungeon Keeper. That is, a god sim parked on top of a management game, albeit with a greater emphasis on automation than you might recall from Bullfrog’s heyday.
In Sintopia, you are the middle manager of Hell. Above you, there is a bucolic, self-sufficient realm of weirdly plant-based humans, all going about their lives farming, building and searching for treasure. And sinning. The Humus (Humusians? Humusings?) do love to sin. Which is where you come in. When the Humus die, they are swept away to the underworld by a toothy hellbus, and must be purged of moral stains before they can be safely granted a new body.
**Epic Games Confronts Significant Layoffs Amid Falling Fortnite Participation**
Epic Games, celebrated for its wildly successful game *Fortnite*, has recently revealed plans to lay off over 1,000 staff members. This move is in response to what CEO Tim Sweeney labels a substantial “decline in Fortnite participation,” resulting in financial difficulties for the game. Although *Fortnite* has generated billions, the firm claims it is now spending more than it is earning, raising concerns about the organization’s financial oversight.
Sweeney, who a year ago expressed belief in Epic’s financial strategies and ongoing litigation against tech giants Apple and Google, is now facing considerable criticism for the company’s abrupt pivot. Many employees were left astounded by the layoffs, especially those who had played key roles in *Fortnite’s* development and success.
Among those affected was Evan Kinney, a principal engineer who had been with Epic since 2017. Kinney, lauded by fans as the “foundation and essence” of *Fortnite*, disclosed on social media that despite recent accolades for his work on the game’s new Rivalry system, he was still let go. Kinney voiced his disappointment over the years of commitment he offered to the company, which included long hours and substantial contributions to various game events.
Likewise, other employees shared their experiences and job-hunting efforts on social media after the layoffs. Devon Adesso, a test lead on *Fortnite*, recounted how she was gearing up for new projects just before her position was cut. George Sokol and Stephen Thompson, both long-term employees, also shared the surprise of their job searches, illustrating the distress and uncertainty many in the gaming community are experiencing.
In a somewhat ironic turn, some employees not directly impacted by the layoffs expressed their sadness for their coworkers. Comments on social media reflected a sense of survivor’s guilt, with one employee highlighting the tough state of the industry and the emotional burden of watching talented colleagues lose their jobs.
The broader gaming community’s response has not been supportive of Epic’s management. Numerous fans and former employees have criticized Sweeney’s stance, suggesting that the financial challenges could be due to mismanagement rather than external market forces. Dissenting voices pointed out the potential folly of heavily investing in a platform that suffers from low user engagement while still spending generously on revenue-sharing agreements with creators of user-generated content.
The recent layoffs follow shortly after Epic wrapped up a major legal confrontation with Apple and Google regarding the fees linked to in-game purchases. Sweeney has positioned Epic as a champion for developers’ rights, indicating that the case’s outcome would ultimately benefit the greater industry. However, this new development casts doubt on the efficacy of such strategies if they jeopardize employee job security.
As Epic Games maneuvers through this difficult period, the future of *Fortnite* and its employees hangs in the balance. The company’s ability to oversee resources and connect with its skilled team will be vital as it aims to bounce back from this downturn and restore its place in the competitive gaming arena.
The year is 2026, and a new-but-not-really EverQuest is on the way. Announced today, EverQuest Legends is the same MMO some of you have been playing for coming up to 30 years, just without all the years of expansions. And the graphics look as they did upon launch. And there’s a few modern upgrades. Don’t ask me what the word same means.
# The Fall of Fortnite: Effects on Game Modes and Epic Games
Fortnite, previously a giant in the gaming realm, has experienced a significant drop in its popularity, prompting serious concerns for its developer, Epic Games. This decline in player engagement was noted as a key reason behind the recent layoffs of over 1,000 staff at Epic. Furthermore, the company is taking steps to reduce expenses by eliminating three lesser-known game modes from Fortnite.
## Upcoming Removals: The Game Modes Affected
On March 24, the Fortnite Status account revealed that three game modes—**Rocket Racing**, **Ballistic**, and **Festival Battle Stage**—are scheduled to be removed from Fortnite later this year. This decision emphasizes Epic’s recognition of its failures in delivering compelling content that keeps a large player base engaged.
### 1. Rocket Racing
Rocket Racing is the oldest among the three modes poised for removal, with its final day set for October 2026. Epic intends to eliminate all official tracks and user-generated islands linked to Rocket Racing. Although this mode will be discontinued, creators will have the chance to transfer some content to new standalone islands prior to its removal. Moreover, cars and customization items acquired for Rocket Racing will still be usable in Fortnite and compatible user-created maps.
### 2. Ballistic
This mode aimed to encapsulate the spirit of a competitive FPS, similar to Counter-Strike, and was launched in December 2024. Ballistic will be offline by April 16, but players may still engage with it and level up until then. Epic is focused on enhancing its creative tools for FPS game development moving forward, showing a commitment to fostering player-generated content that replicates the experience provided by Ballistic.
### 3. Festival Battle Stage
Unlike the more well-known Fortnite Festival and Jam Stage modes, Festival Battle Stage was a PvP-centered rhythm game experience introduced in 2024. It is slated to be discontinued on April 16, coinciding with Ballistic’s closure. Epic clarified that this cancellation should not be seen as a retreat from music-related content in Fortnite. The company has assured fans that music will remain a key component of the game, with intentions to improve features related to Festival Main Stage and Jam Stage.
## Tackling Engagement and Cost Reduction
Epic Games has significantly invested in evolving Fortnite into a platform similar to Roblox, aiming to facilitate a diverse range of user-generated and developer-created games. Nonetheless, this effort has not yielded the expected results, with many new game modes failing to draw players in comparison to Fortnite’s primary battle royale gameplay.
As player involvement wanes, Epic’s need to cut costs and improve profit margins has resulted in these mode removals. While this may enhance Epic’s financial health, it poses a dilemma for creators dedicating time to develop content for modes with uncertain long-term viability.
In summary, the elimination of these game modes highlights a broader concern for Epic Games about Fortnite’s longevity in the gaming industry. As the company navigates these changes, the effects on creators and fans remain a precarious element of Fortnite’s changing landscape.
The UK games industry is “seeing a decline of unprecedented scale and speed” according to the latest research done by video games industry trade association TIGA. According to TIGA’s report, 1,537 development jobs were lost overall in the sector during the year-long period leading up to September 2025, marking the first downturn on that front in 14 years. Meanwhile, studio numbers have fallen and startup companies are struggling.
**FCC Implements Prohibition on Imported Consumer Routers: A Security Initiative**
On March 24, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed a prohibition on the importation of all new foreign-manufactured consumer routers, referencing national security issues. This action primarily targets routers produced in nations classified as potential threats, especially China. This prohibition is considered a continuation of the economic and trade policies initiated during President Trump’s administration, indicative of the ongoing trade conflict with China and other countries.
The FCC’s declaration included a revision to their official Covered List, which encompasses communication devices recognized as hazardous to national security. As stated by the FCC, a conclusion was reached by an interagency group assembled by the White House, determining that foreign-manufactured internet routers pose “unacceptable risks” to the safety and security of the U.S. populace.
Nevertheless, the consequences of this prohibition are not immediate for consumers. Current routers that have already secured FCC authorization for sale within the U.S. remain unchanged. This indicates that routers, irrespective of their country of origin, presently available in the market can continue to be sold and utilized by consumers. The FCC’s revision specifically pertains to new models that have yet to receive approval, which will henceforth be barred from entering the U.S. market.
This tactical move coincides with a wider national security agenda articulated by President Trump, highlighting the necessity for the U.S. to lessen reliance on foreign entities for critical technology components. The directive emphasizes a pledge to secure domestic supply chains for vital products, particularly those associated with national defense and economic resilience.
In the near term, consumer electronics retailers are unlikely to experience major changes, as existing inventory remains unaltered. Nonetheless, if the prohibition is maintained, there may be enduring repercussions on the router market. An anticipated rise in demand for routers coupled with constrained supply could result in increased prices for consumers, as fewer new models become accessible.
Additionally, the FCC’s announcement implies that companies may pursue conditional clearance for importing new routers via the Department of Defense (DOD) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A condition of this conditional approval process is that businesses must illustrate plans to shift some of their manufacturing activities to the U.S. This requirement unveils a broader aim behind the prohibition: promoting domestic production and diminishing reliance on international manufacturers.
As the consumer technology landscape continues to change, the ramifications of the FCC’s prohibition on foreign-manufactured routers might have considerable long-term impacts. The interplay of possible legal challenges from affected companies and ongoing supply chain difficulties could influence the future availability and pricing of internet equipment in the United States. Amid rising demand and constrained choices, consumers may soon find themselves navigating a drastically transformed marketplace.
**Epic Games Unveils Significant Job Reductions Amid Fortnite’s Diminishing Popularity**
Epic Games, the esteemed firm celebrated for its Unreal Engine innovations and the hit title Fortnite, is encountering serious difficulties as it reveals the reduction of more than 1,000 employees. This move comes after a marked downturn in Fortnite’s appeal that started in 2025, leading to a notable drop in player interaction.
On March 24, CEO Tim Sweeney validated the announcement in a blog entry on the official Epic Games site. Sweeney conveyed his sorrow regarding the layoffs, attributing them to the company’s ongoing financial challenges. “Today we’re letting go of over 1000 Epic workers. I regret that we find ourselves in this position,” he remarked. The CEO detailed that the drop in Fortnite engagement has caused the company to expend significantly more than it earns in revenue, making these severe reductions essential for maintaining fiscal health.
In conjunction with the layoffs, Epic Games is enacting over $500 million in cost-reduction strategies across various areas, including outsourcing, marketing, and the elimination of numerous vacant positions. These measures aim to place the company in a more financially secure situation moving ahead.
The layoffs signify a major change for Epic Games, which has previously enjoyed tremendous success with Fortnite, a game that revolutionized the battle royale category and became a cultural icon. However, with its engagement metrics on the decline, the firm is now compelled to adjust to a shifting environment within the gaming sector.
As the scenario continues to unfold, the gaming community and industry experts will be closely monitoring how Epic Games manages this transition and what it signifies for the future of Fortnite and its other projects.
Roguelite clone-stabber (and upsettingly effective paranoia generator) It Has My Face is skulking out of early access this month, a Steam news update confirming its 1.0 release for April 3rd 2026. Hooray, and also, arrrrrrgh. I’ve been following IHMF since its impressive first demo under the name DoubleWe, and its short, highly-strung bursts of deduction and one-hit-kill violence are as cleverly staged as they are stressful.