The video game industry has been hit hard this year with the announcement of Epic Games, one of the biggest players in the industry, laying off nearly 900 employees. Epic Games is the developer behind the popular video game Fortnite, which has become a global phenomenon since its launch in 2017.

The layoffs come as Epic Games seeks to restructure its business in order to remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry. The company has stated that the layoffs are necessary in order to “focus on our core strengths and ensure we are operating efficiently.”

The layoffs come at a time when the video game industry is facing a number of challenges, including increased competition from streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, as well as the emergence of new technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality. The industry is also facing pressure from the recent rise of mobile gaming, which has seen an influx of new players entering the market.

Epic Games has stated that it will be providing severance packages and job placement assistance to those affected by the layoffs. The company has also stated that it will be working with local governments and organizations to ensure that those affected by the layoffs are able to find new employment opportunities.

The layoffs are a reminder of the ever-changing nature of the video game industry and the need for companies to remain agile in order to stay competitive. While it is unfortunate that nearly 900 employees have lost their jobs, it is important to remember that Epic Games is doing what it believes is necessary in order to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market.