Fortnite publisher Epic Games said Tuesday it is laying off 1,000 employees to save money as it grapples with industry-wide and company-specific challenges.

The article provides detailed information on how players of the popular online video game Fortnite can apply for refunds due to unauthorized or unwanted charges. Following a $245 million settlement between Epic Games and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations of deceptive billing practices, the refund process has reopened until July 9, 2025. The article outlines eligibility criteria, application procedures, and important deadlines for consumers seeking compensation. It also highlights the FTC's commitment to consumer protection and offers contact information for further assistance.

The Federal Trade Commission is issuing more refunds to Fortnite players who it says were charged for unwanted purchases.

U.S. consumers who were tricked into purchases they didn’t want from Fortnite maker Epic Games are now starting to receive refund checks, the Federal Trade Commission said this week.

At roughly 6 a.m. Friday morning, Fortnite was expected to debut a new season called “Chapter 5 Season 2: Myths and Mortals.”

The Walt Disney Co. says it is paying $1.5 billion for a stake in “Fortnite” maker Epic Games.

Eminem has played concerts on nearly every major stage you could think of. From the Academy Awards to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stage, he’s been everywhere. But now, he can add a concert inside of the popular video game Fortnite to his list.

The Federal Trade Commission announced late last year that Epic Games would pay $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints revolving around children’s privacy and its payment methods that tricked players into making unintended purchases.

The maker of the popular Fortnite video game will pay $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints revolving around children’s privacy and its payment methods that tricked players into making unintended purchases.

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Fortnite maker Epic, said Wednesday it's been told by Apple that the game will be “blacklisted from the Apple ecosystem" until the companies' legal case is resolved and all appeals are exhausted, which could take as long as five years.

If Epic Games hopes to dismantle the fortress surrounding Apple’s iPhone and its app store, the video game maker probably will need to roll out some heavier artillery heading into the second week of a trial threatening Apple’s $2 trillion empire.

On Monday, Apple faces a trial that could upend its iron control over its app store, which brings in billions of dollars each year while feeding more than 1.6 billion iPhones, iPads, and other devices.

FILE - This March 19, 2018 file photo shows Apple's App Store app. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)LONDON – Epic Games said Wednesday it filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with European Union regulators, opening a new front in its war with the tech giant over app store payments. When Epic tried last year to bypass the platform with a direct payment system, Apple dropped the Fortnite app from its app store. Ad“What’s at stake here is the very future of mobile platforms,” Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said in an online post. Spotify refuses to use Apple’s payment system, saying it makes subscriptions more expensive than Apple’s rival music streaming service.

The activism from smaller rivals adds to scrutiny the tech giants are facing from U.S. and European regulators and lawmakers. Apple is the group's main target, though Google's app store policies are also on its radar. Both companies this summer dropped the popular game Fortnite from their app stores after the game’s developer introduced a direct payment plan that bypasses their platforms. Apple and Google both take a 30% cut from in-app revenue purchases, which has long been a sore spot with developers. Epic is backing the new coalition along with Spotify, online dating app maker Match Group, and other members including Tile, Basecamp, ProtonMail and European media industry associations.

A long-awaited update for Fortnite looks like it is finally getting the green light. After a few delays, regular cars is going to be added to Fortnite by Epic Games on Wednesday, according to Engadget. While Fortnite’s map has had bikes, hoverboards, planes and shopping carts, cars have been absent until now. Epic Games was forced to delay the update due to technical problems, leading to weeks of speculation over when the update will arrive. Here’s the trailer video for the “Joyride” update:

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit in which two former University of Maryland mens basketball players accused makers of the Fortnite video game of misappropriating a dance move that the ex-teammates popularized. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit in which two former University of Maryland mens basketball players accused makers of the Fortnite video game of misappropriating a dance move that the ex-teammates popularized. Their copyright infringement lawsuit claimed the Running Man dance emote that Fortnite players can purchase for their characters is identical to the dance that Nickens and Brantley took credit for creating. Ribeiro dropped his lawsuit against Epic Games last year after the U.S. But Plaintiffs claims that Epic Games copied the dance do not support any of their theories, the judge wrote.