Man Sentenced for Threatening Fortnite Devs & CEO Tim Sweeney
Last Updated: October 31, 2025
A California man has been sentenced for making credible death threats against employees at Epic Games, the studio behind the global gaming phenomenon Fortnite, including its CEO Tim Sweeney. The case serves as a stark, high-profile example of the severe legal repercussions for online harassment and threats directed at game developers, a persistent and dangerous issue within the industry.
Addison Pierce, 28, was sentenced in a North Carolina federal court, the state where Epic Games is headquartered. His conviction underscores the fact that law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing and prosecuting individuals who cross the line from online criticism into criminal intimidation.
The Threats and Federal Charges
The case against Pierce began in 2019 after he was banned from Fortnite. In response, Pierce took to Twitter, unleashing a series of escalating threats against the company and its employees. His posts included explicit threats to "shoot up" the company headquarters and specifically targeted CEO Tim Sweeney, stating his intent to "kill" him.
According to court documents, Pierce's threats were deemed credible enough to warrant a significant law enforcement response. The FBI investigated the matter, leading to his arrest in California. He was charged with "communicating a threat in interstate commerce," a federal crime that covers threats made across state lines using electronic means like social media. Pierce ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge, admitting his responsibility for the terrorizing messages.
The Sentence and Its Implications
While the federal charge carried a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison, Pierce was ultimately sentenced to three years of supervised probation. The court also mandated that he undergo location monitoring, receive mental health treatment, and pay a fine of over $24,000 in restitution to Epic Games to cover the costs of increased security measures the company was forced to implement in response to his threats.
The sentence, while not involving immediate incarceration, imposes life-altering restrictions and financial penalties. It sends a clear message that the perceived anonymity of the internet does not shield individuals from accountability for their actions.
A Wider Industry Problem
This case is a sobering reminder of the toxic harassment that game developers frequently endure. In recent years, numerous studios have been targeted by coordinated campaigns of abuse, with employees receiving threats of violence against themselves and their families. This behavior often erupts over player frustration with game updates, narrative choices, or business decisions, but spirals from legitimate criticism into illegal conduct.
Studios like Bungie (Destiny 2), Naughty Dog (The Last of Us), and Santa Monica Studio (God of War) have all spoken out against the harassment their teams have faced. Many have taken legal action, filing lawsuits against serial offenders for copyright infringement, stalking, and harassment.
These incidents demonstrate that law enforcement and the legal system are taking digital threats more seriously than ever. They possess sophisticated tools to identify and locate offenders, piercing the veil of online anonymity. For the developers who dedicate their careers to creating entertainment, such threats foster a climate of fear, negatively impacting their mental health and ability to engage with their communities. The Addison Pierce case is a landmark example, proving that actions have consequences and that threatening the lives of creators will lead to a federal courtroom.