Epic Games’ CEO has contacted the affected employee.
Epic Games’ mass layoffs last week saw more than 1,000 employees let go amid the company’s aggressive cost-cutting measures. Over the weekend, it emerged that one of the affected employees is battling terminal brain cancer, and has lost his life insurance following his departure from the company.
Brain cancer patient affected by Epic Games layoffs
The Epic Games layoffs, already under scrutiny, drew further criticism when Jenni Griffin spoke out on social media about their impact on her husband, Michael Prinke (Mike), who is currently battling brain cancer.
Mike had received life insurance while working at Epic, but lost this benefit after leaving the company. Griffin expressed concern that they are not eligible for new coverage, as his illness is considered a “pre-existing condition”.
“So now, as I face the reality of losing my husband… I’m also facing the reality of what type of funeral or burial I can afford,” she said. “How I will keep a roof over our heads. How I will protect our son and the life we built together. What will happen to our dogs?” she wrote. “Mike is not just a number. He is a father. A husband. A person deeply loved.”
She concluded her post by expressing hope that the story would reach the right people, as she continues to seek the best possible outcome for her family.
What is Tim Sweeney’s response
As the story circulated online, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney issued a public statement. He said that Epic had contacted the family and would resolve the insurance issue. He also clarified that there is “high confidentiality around medical information” and that it was not a factor in the individual’s redundancy.
“Sorry to everyone for not recognising this terribly painful situation and handling it in advance,” Sweeney said, concluding with an apology.
Why did Epic Games lay off employees in 2026?
Epic Games is laying off staff in 2026 to address financial strain, with CEO Tim Sweeney stating the company is “spending significantly more than it’s making”. A key factor is a decline in Fortnite engagement since 2025, alongside broader industry challenges such as slower growth, reduced player spending, and rising costs.
The layoffs aim to stabilise the company’s finances. Sweeney also acknowledged internal struggles in maintaining consistent quality in Fortnite, while noting that Epic is still investing in future growth, particularly its expansion into mobile gaming.
