Trending Now - Epic Faces Backlash After Laying Off Terminally Ill Worker
WHO:
Kotaku - Jenni Griffin stated that Mike Prinke had frequent medical appointments and had previously taken paid leave due to his condition.
NY Post - Mike Prinke is a resident of Sanford, NC.
Push Square - Mike Prinke, a programmer at Epic Games, was laid off.
Push Square - Jenni Griffin, Mike Prinke's wife, shared the impact of the layoff on their family.
Kotaku - Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, addressed the situation publicly.
WHAT:
The Guardian - Tim Sweeney stated that Epic Games has annual profits of $4 billion and that Fortnite is the world’s fourth-most-played PC game.
Kotaku - Jenni Griffin shared that Mike Prinke's brain scan showed "dozens of tumors actively growing," with one tumor "aggressively taking over space in the front lobe."
Kotaku - Jenni Griffin expressed that they are currently trying to obtain needed documents and find contingency clauses in the paperwork while talking to life insurance providers.
Push Square - Jenni Griffin stated in a Facebook post that due to the layoff, they not only lost income but also Mike Prinke's life insurance, which he cannot replace due to his terminal condition being classified as a pre-existing condition.
Kotaku - Jenni Griffin shared that Mike Prinke's brain scan showed an aggressive growth in the frontal lobe.
GamesIndustry.biz - A public Google Sheet listing those affected by the layoffs has been converted into a searchable database site, currently listing 320 people seeking work.
Kotaku - Jenni Griffin mentioned that they are trying to obtain needed documents and find contingency clauses in the paperwork while talking to life insurance providers.
Kotaku - Griffin expressed that they are considering launching a GoFundMe campaign but are uncertain about the timing.
Push Square - Epic Games laid off over 1,000 employees as part of a major round of redundancies.
Kotaku - Mike Prinke lost his life insurance due to the layoff, which is critical as he is fighting terminal brain cancer.
Kotaku - Jenni Griffin stated that the family is considering launching a GoFundMe campaign to help with financial needs.
WHERE:
Push Square - The layoffs occurred at Epic Games, a company known for developing Fortnite.
WHEN:
The Guardian - Epic Games announced the mass layoffs on March 24th, 2026.
Push Square - The layoffs were announced on March 29th, 2026.
Kotaku - Mike Prinke had been employed at Epic Games for just under seven years prior to the layoff.
WHY:
Push Square - Epic Games stated that the layoffs were necessary to stop “spending significantly more than we’re making.”
Kotaku - Jenni Griffin expressed that the decision to lay off her husband, who has a terminal illness, was made without understanding the full human impact.
HOW:
The Guardian - Jenni Griffin confirmed that Epic Games had reached out to her family, stating, "We are in talks now with the appropriate people! Will update soon, likely by Tuesday."
Push Square - Tim Sweeney stated on X that Epic is in contact with Mike Prinke's family and will resolve the insurance issue for them.
Push Square - Tim Sweeney stated that Epic is in contact with the family and will solve the insurance issue for them.
Push Square - Tim Sweeney promised that Epic Games would find a way to ensure Mike Prinke and his family receive the necessary support regarding life insurance.
Kotaku - The company offered severance pay for six months, accelerated stock options vesting, and extended Epic-paid healthcare coverage to U.S. employees affected by the layoffs.
(UPDATED March 30, 2026 23:08 UTC)
Epic Games recently announced mass layoffs on Tuesday, and CEO Tim Sweeney revealed that the company has annual profits of $4 billion, with Fortnite being the world’s fourth-most-played PC game. Meanwhile, Jenni Griffin reported that Mike Prinke's brain scan revealed dozens of tumors, with one aggressively taking over space in the front lobe, and she is currently working to obtain necessary documents while communicating with life insurance providers. Griffin also confirmed that Epic Games has reached out to her family, stating they are in talks with the appropriate people and expect to provide an update soon, likely by Tuesday.
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(UPDATED March 30, 2026 19:18 UTC)
Jenni Griffin revealed on Facebook that the recent layoffs not only resulted in lost income but also left Mike Prinke without life insurance, which he cannot replace due to his terminal condition being classified as a pre-existing condition. She also shared that Mike's brain scan revealed an aggressive growth in the frontal lobe. In response to the layoffs, Tim Sweeney announced on X that Epic is in contact with Mike's family and is working to resolve the insurance issue for them.
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(UPDATED March 30, 2026 17:18 UTC)
Mike Prinke, a resident of Sanford, NC, has been dealing with health issues that required frequent medical appointments and led to previous paid leave, according to Jenni Griffin. She also mentioned that they are working to secure necessary documents and explore contingency clauses while communicating with life insurance providers, and they are contemplating starting a GoFundMe campaign, though the timing remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Tim Sweeney from Epic Games has stated that the company is in contact with Prinke's family and is committed to resolving the insurance issue for them.
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(UPDATED March 30, 2026 13:21 UTC)
Epic Games announced significant layoffs on Sunday, cutting over 1,000 employees, including programmer Mike Prinke, who is currently battling terminal brain cancer. His wife, Jenni Griffin, shared the devastating impact of this decision on their family, revealing they are considering a GoFundMe campaign to help with their financial needs, as Mike lost his life insurance due to the layoff. In response, CEO Tim Sweeney pledged to ensure the Prinke family receives the necessary support and outlined that affected employees would receive severance pay, accelerated stock options, and extended healthcare coverage.