Epic Games layoffs leave worker with terminal – Business News
A terminally in poor health worker with mind most cancers was amongst roughly 1,000 employees laid off by the video recreation company behind Fortnite — and he misplaced his health insurance coverage as a end result.
Jenni Griffin mentioned in a Facebook post that her husband, Mike Prinke, a 38-year-old resident of Sanford, NC, was amongst more than 1,000 staff laid off by Epic Games — however in contrast to others, he’s battling terminal mind most cancers.
Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic, responded to online outrage by saying that the company was in contact with Griffin and Prinke and that his firm would “solve the insurance for them.”
Mike Prinke, a longtime Epic Games worker, was amongst more than 1,000 employees laid off as he battles terminal mind most cancers. Facebook/Mike Prinke
A Facebook post by Jenni Griffin describing how her husband, Mike Prinke, misplaced life insurance coverage after being laid off by Epic Games as he battles terminal mind most cancers. Facebook/Jenni Griffin
“Because of the layoff, we didn’t just lose income — we lost his life insurance,” Griffin wrote on Saturday, including that his sickness is now thought of a pre-existing situation, making it not possible to secure new protection.
“So now, as I face the reality of losing my husband… I’m also facing the reality of what type of funeral/burial I can afford,” she wrote.
Griffin mentioned she shared the post in hopes it could attain somebody on the company who might help, writing: “Mike is not just a number. He is a father. A husband. A person deeply loved.”
Griffin additionally shared a stark image of her husband’s mind scan, displaying a highlighted tumor within the frontal lobe.
The image included textual content warning that “there are dozens of tumors actively growing,” including that one specifically was “aggressively taking over space in the frontal lobe,” underscoring the severity of his situation.
Griffin up to date the post on Sunday, writing: “WE ARE IN TALKS WITH THE APPROPRIATE PEOPLE! WILL UPDATE SOON, LIKELY BY TUESDAY. THANK YOU <3”
Mike Prinke and his spouse, Jenni Griffin, who spoke out after he was laid off by Epic Games whereas battling terminal mind most cancers. Facebook/Jenni Griffin
Prinke, a programmer who had labored at Epic Games for almost seven years, had continued working via his analysis and frequent medical appointments, based on his spouse. Facebook/Mike Prinke
An X person who goes by the deal with “Backers | Fortnite News” posted Griffin’s message on the social media platform, tagging Sweeney.
“ARE YOU HAPPY NOW @TimSweeneyEpic ???????” learn the caption.
Sweeney responded to the post, writing: “Epic is in contact with the family and will solve the insurance for them. There is high confidentiality around medical information and it was not a factor in this layoff decision. Sorry to everyone for not recognizing this terribly painful situation and handling it in advance.”
The Post has sought remark from Epic Games and from Griffin.
Epic is involved with the household and can remedy the insurance coverage for them. There is high confidentiality round medical data and it was not a issue on this layoff determination. Sorry to everybody for not recognizing this terribly painful state of affairs and handling it prematurely.— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) March 29, 2026
The post drew an outpouring of assist and advice from commenters, with many urging Griffin to contact human sources about insurance coverage choices reminiscent of “conversion” or “portability,” whereas others advised reaching out to media shops or beginning a fundraiser to help cowl prices.
Several commenters additionally tagged Epic Games immediately and known as on the company to intervene, with one writing, “this is unacceptable,” because the post unfold broadly online.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney mentioned the company is “in contact with the family” and can deal with the insurance coverage concern after the layoffs sparked backlash. Getty Images
Prinke, a programmer who had labored at Epic Games for almost seven years, had continued working via his analysis and frequent medical appointments, based on his spouse.
She instructed the information website Kotaku his situation was not a secret amongst colleagues, including that “everyone he worked with knows.”
An X person posted a screenshot of Griffin’s Facebook post. X/@BackersGamesF
“We should be spending every possible moment treasuring the time we have left,” Griffin wrote in her post, including that as an alternative the household is scrambling to kind out insurance coverage and funds as his situation worsens.
“At any time, Mike could have his third ‘major event’ and become unresponsive.”
Epic Games introduced the layoffs final week, slicing more than 1,000 staff as half of a broader cost-cutting effort tied to declining Fortnite engagement and rising bills, based on the company.
The cuts comply with an earlier spherical of layoffs in 2023 and are half of what executives described as an effort to scale back spending and stabilize the business.
