Epic Games
Epic Games business and news from across the web.
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Epic reaches lawsuit settlement with former contractor who was also a notorious Fortnite leaker
Epic Games has reached a proposed settlement with former contractor Hayden Cohen, also known as the Fortnite leaker AdiraFN. The agreement permanently bars Cohen from accessing or disclosing Epic's confidential information. While Epic's initial complaint sought damages, the proposed settlement focuses on an injunction to prevent future leaks.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continues
The Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
What time is Gold and Gummy Hour in Fortnite?
Fortnite is hosting a special 'Gold and Gummy Hour' event on July 4th, offering increased spawn rates for Gold and Gummy Sprites. The event will occur twice, with the first session from 11 AM to 1 PM PT and the second from 6 PM to 8 PM PT. During these hours, players will also receive a Self-Revive and a Mythic Gold Fish, which can be used to gain an advantage in combat and acquire more in-game gold.
Shadow of the Colossus and Ico director says "unforgiving or clunky" elements that developers didn't plan for "are what actually end up being memorable"
Fumito Ueda, director of Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, believes that unintended or 'clunky' elements in game design can lead to more memorable player experiences. He reflects on how difficult sections in his past games, like Shadow of the Colossus, stick with players, though he admits he might approach such elements differently with modern development tools. His upcoming game, Gen Atlas, is being developed in collaboration with Epic Games.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Marathon director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie
This article rounds up recent hires and departures within the games industry for July 2026. Notable moves include Joe Ziegler leaving Bungie's Marathon team, Chris Chung joining Neowiz, and Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games. Several other companies announced new appointments across marketing, production, and business development roles.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group
Several key personnel changes have occurred across the gaming industry. Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group, Dylan Beale is the new studio head at Larian Guildford, and Jonnie Bryant becomes communications director at Team17. Other notable moves include Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games and Nicholas Penwarden departing Epic Games after 15 years.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Robert Henrysson steps down as Supermassive Games CEO
Several key personnel changes have occurred in the gaming industry. Robert Henrysson has stepped down as CEO of Supermassive Games and partner at Nordisk Games. Christopher Serra joins Paramount Games as VP of business development and licensing, while Alexis Bonte departs as CEO of Stillfront. Nicholas Penwarden also leaves Epic Games after 15 years.
Evening Reading - July 2, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various game reviews and updates, including Rhythm Heaven Groove and Doom: The Dark Ages. It also highlights industry news such as PlayStation ending physical disc production in January 2028, Godot banning generative AI code, and Krafton paying bonuses while CEO Ted Gill resigns. The article also features internet curiosities and memes.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggests AI could've saved Destiny 2 and will "enable games like Destiny to thrive!"
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that a lack of generative AI adoption may have contributed to Destiny 2's struggles, stating that the technology could enable games like it to thrive. He also criticized Valve's policies regarding AI disclosures in games, arguing they hinder developers. The article explores the potential role of AI in accelerating game development and content creation.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Senior Unreal Engine engineer Nicholas Penwarden leaves Epic Games after 15 years
Nicholas Penwarden, an Engineering Fellow at Epic Games, has departed the company after a 15-year tenure. Penwarden, who began his career at Epic in 2011 as a senior engine programmer for Unreal Engine, announced his exit via a LinkedIn post.
Comings and Goings
Ubisoft has hired Christoph Hartmann, formerly of Amazon Games, to lead its new creative house. Separately, a former director from Unreal Engine has retired from Epic Games after 15 years.
Epic Games CEO says "Steam charges such high fees" that companies like Genshin Impact maker MiHoYo "find it more profitable to go it alone," fans remind him MiHoYo has multiple games on Steam
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that Steam's high fees make it more profitable for major companies like MiHoYo to distribute their games independently. This claim was met with a community note clarifying that MiHoYo has a growing presence on Steam, recently releasing Zenless Zone Zero and potentially planning a Steam launch for Genshin Impact.
Former Unreal Engine director retires after 15 years at Epic
Nicholas Penwarden, a former director for Unreal Engine, has retired from Epic Games after 15 years with the company. He joins Sjoerd De Jong in retirement.
"Low-effort slop": The creators of the Godot engine behind Slay the Spire 2 are cracking down on "vibe-coding" and now require genAI disclosures
The Godot Foundation, the developers behind the open-source game engine used in titles like Slay the Spire 2 and Buckshot Roulette, are implementing stricter policies regarding generative AI usage. Citing a rise in "low-effort slop" and a strain on maintainers, the foundation will now require contributors to disclose any AI assistance and prohibits the use of AI for generating substantial code. This move contrasts with Epic Games' approach to Unreal Engine 6, which embraces AI integration.
Evening Legal Briefs
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal in the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games. Separately, the Federal Trade Commission has fined Amazon $2.25 million for alleged violations of the Fair...
Fortnite’s Player Count Is Way Up In Chapter 7 Season 3, And Here’s Why
Fortnite has experienced a significant surge in its player count since the beginning of Season 3 in June, with average concurrent players nearly doubling. This increase is attributed to the new sprite-collection gameplay mechanic, which has proven popular with both casual and competitive players. The article analyzes the reasons behind this growth and questions Epic Games' ability to retain these new players in future seasons.
The Supreme Court will hear an appeal in the long-running case between Apple and Epic Games
The Supreme Court will hear an appeal in the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games. Apple is appealing a contempt finding related to App Store fees, continuing the long-running case.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
Opinion: Everything hurts and no one knows when the pain will end
The article discusses the ongoing financial struggles and mass layoffs within the game industry, attributing them to a combination of economic factors, executive mismanagement, and alleged abuses of power. The author, Bryant Francis, shares personal coping mechanisms for dealing with the constant stream of bad news and emphasizes the need for the industry to learn from past mistakes.
