Fortnite is set to undergo significant changes following mass layoffs from Epic Games, including the removal of the Ballistic mode in the coming weeks.
Epic Games announced mass layoffs affecting 1,000 employees on March 24, alongside confirmation that Ballistic is one of three modes created by Epic Games that will be removed from the game.
If you’re wondering exactly when Ballistic is being removed from Fortnite and how much longer you have to play the mode, Insider Gaming has you covered.
When is Ballistic Being Removed From Fortnite?
Fortnite’s Ballistic game mode will be removed in a few weeks, with the curtain being drawn on April 16, 2026.
Epic Games announced the shutdown will occur in Fortnite’s 40.20 update, the first update of Chapter 7 Season 2, which will bring the end of Ballistic’s lifespan in the game.
- More Insider Gaming: Is Fortnite Shutting Down? Epic Games Layoffs, Explained
In the meantime, Ballistic can still be played, and you can rank up, while first-person shooter tools will remain available for UEFN developers.
It seems Epic Games has more plans to deploy into UEFN, though there are no specific details of when, as the shutdown announcement says “more UEFN features will be required, such as custom weapon support, ranked support, and additional matchmaking features.”
Why is Ballistic Being Removed From Fortnite?
Epic Games’ removal of several game modes from Fortnite, including Ballistic, stated that they “failed to build something awesome enough to attract and retain a large player base.”
Specifics for Ballistic were not provided, however, with that blanket statement also applying to the other two modes confirmed to be departing Fortnite, Rocket Racing and Festival Battle Stage.
- More Insider Gaming: When is Rocket Racing Being Removed From Fortnite?
However, a quick look at the stats shows Ballistic’s struggles. At the time of writing, Fortnite.GG puts Ballistic 41st on the list of most popular game modes right now, with a 24-hour peak of 4,200 players. Those numbers pale in comparison to Ballistic’s all-time peak from 16 months ago, where concurrent players were just shy of 169,000.
Those player numbers put Ballistic significantly adrift of the likes of Battle Royale, Reload, Fortnite OG. and Blitz, while the Epic Games-created mode is also behind a host of UEFN Creator maps, including Steal the Brainrot, Go Up For Brainrots, and Brian Red vs Blue.
Are you disappointed by the removal of Ballistic from Fortnite? Share your thoughts in the Insider Gaming Discord.
For more Fortnite, take a look at details of the reported Beyblade collab, and check out the tease of a surprising return this season.
