Vitaliy Naymushin, the character art director responsible for designing Jonesy and the original Fortnite cast, was among the 1,000 employees laid off by Epic Games yesterday.
The Architect of Fortnite’s Visual Identity
Naymushin’s departure marks the end of an 11-year tenure at Epic Games. His influence on the battle royale giant is profound; according to his Artstation portfolio, he was instrumental in establishing the 3D style for Fortnite characters. Beyond creating the model for the iconic Jonesy, based on concept art by Ben Shafer, Naymushin was also responsible for the original character roster, including Ramirez and the “female constructor” known as Penny.
His LinkedIn profile highlights his progression from a senior character artist in 2015 to his recent role as art lead, where he cemented the visual language of the game that would go on to define a generation of multiplayer titles.
A Departure After 11 Years
Reflecting on the layoffs, Naymushin addressed his exit on LinkedIn, stating, “Well this is weird. After 11 years I find that I no longer work at Epic. It’s been a wild ride, lots of ups and downs. Seeing Fortnite from pre-launch to today and being a part of making that happen was an experience of a lifetime.”
He expressed solidarity with his former colleagues, noting the high volume of similar departure announcements across the industry, and offered well wishes to those remaining at the studio as they navigate the company’s restructuring.
Industry Tributes Pour In
The gaming community and fellow Epic developers have been vocal in their appreciation for Naymushin’s contributions. Gavin Moran, creative cinematic director at Epic, paid tribute by stating, “Fortnite looks like Fortnite because of you, Vitaliy.”
Ben Shafer, the concept artist who collaborated with Naymushin on Jonesy, shared his shock at the news: “I can’t believe you got swept up in this. You were like the glue for our team. Appreciate you man and you will be missed big time! Thanks for everything.”
Dakota Sager-Leonard, an art director at Epic, echoed these sentiments, calling Naymushin a “legend to the games industry” and praising his lasting impact on the Fortnite franchise.
These layoffs coincide with broader operational changes at Epic Games, which recently announced the cancellation of three Fortnite modes, including the Rocket League-developed racing mode, as part of a strategic pivot for the company.
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