Fortnite's Post-Layoffs Update Brings 24-Hour April Fools Fun with Finger Guns, Big Heads, and Shoulder Riding

Fortnite has rolled out its first major update since the significant layoffs at Epic Games last month, which resulted in over 1,000 employees losing their jobs. The latest additions to the battle royale experience are both humorous and substantial, but they're only sticking around for a single day.

In celebration of April Fool's Day, Fortnite is embracing the playful spirit by introducing a new weapon to its primary Battle Royale mode, as well as to Reload and Blitz. The weapon in question? Finger guns—where characters simply gesture with their fingers to deal damage to opponents.

Also available just for today is the 'big heads' feature, a nostalgic nod to classic video game cheat codes. Interestingly, Epic Games has noted challenges in implementing this with the slender Peely the banana man, who now sports a Cuddle Team Leader mask instead.

The April Fool's festivities continue with shoulder riding, a fun mechanic that lets players climb onto each other's shoulders for piggyback rides, enabling teammates to shoot from an elevated position. Players have already discovered that stacking more than two players at once is possible, sparking curiosity about the maximum number achievable.

Additionally, fall damage has been temporarily removed, replaced with a splat sound upon landing, and ridable llamas have been added for trotting around the map. Remember, all these features are only available until 5:30 AM Eastern Time on April 2.

This type of short-lived update is a rarity in gaming, but it's classic Fortnite. If you're eager to join the fun, act fast before it disappears.

Last month, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced the layoffs, citing a downturn in Fortnite's popularity starting in 2025. Analysts told IGN that while declining player numbers in the veteran battle royale mode were a factor, the company also faces challenges from costly legal battles with Apple and Google, investments in the Epic Games Store to compete with Steam, and the rapid rise of Roblox, which has now surpassed Fortnite in growth.

Despite today's robust update, some remaining employees express uncertainty about Fortnite's future later this year and beyond, given the loss of nearly a quarter of the company's workforce.