Gamers all over are in shock that they did this.
Game Informer, the longest-running gaming magazine in the U.S., is officially shutting down, with parent company GameStop responsible for its closure. Established in 1991, the magazine was one of the last remaining physical gaming magazines in the world, known for in-depth cover stories and exclusive interviews on major games like Final Fantasy: VII Rebirth and Star Wars Outlaws.
Game Informer Shuts Down After 33 Years of Publication
▫️On Friday, August 2, the game suddenly changed. https://t.co/pYnF1a6mQi
— Techweez (@techweez) August 4, 2024
Staff at the magazine, which also produced a website, weekly podcast, and online video documentaries about game studios and developers, were called into a meeting on Friday with GameStop’s VP of HR. They were informed that the publication was closing immediately, and all employees were laid off with severance terms. Some staff members were in the middle of work trips when the announcement was made.
The final issue of Game Informer will be number 367, featuring a cover story on Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The entire website has been taken offline, and the Game Informer Twitter account posted a farewell statement that sources claim was not written by the staff but by GameStop. The statement thanked readers for their support over the years and expressed a shared passion for gaming.
Kyle Hilliard, the magazine’s content director, tweeted about the abrupt end, expressing frustration as they were about 70% done with the next issue. Former video producer Ben Hanson criticized the farewell message as insincere, speculating it was written by AI, and directed his anger at GameStop and CEO Ryan Cohen.
The closure of the Game Informer website has redirected all URLs to the official statement, erasing more than a decade of valuable content. Notable stories and features, including an in-depth piece on retro game studio Digital Eclipse, are now inaccessible.
In its prime, Game Informer was a leading monthly magazine among other gaming publications like Game Pro and Electronic Gaming Monthly. Purchased by GameStop in 2000, the magazine had its own newsstand across thousands of stores, with subscriptions offered as part of the store’s rewards program.
Game Informer Shuts Down After 33 Years#gameinformer #gamestophttps://t.co/TtZYb2wZsk
— The Daily Juice (@ReadTDJ) August 4, 2024
However, as GameStop struggled with the decline of physical game sales, the magazine faced challenges with constant changes in management and directives. Despite a surge in GameStop’s stock value, the company continued cutting jobs, including annual layoffs at Game Informer. Longtime editor-in-chief Andy McNamara left in 2020, with other senior staff following.
The magazine recently started selling subscriptions directly to consumers again, hinting at a possible new beginning or a prelude to being spun-off or sold. However, the sudden closure comes as GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen continues controversial activities, including posts about the 2024 election and facing a lawsuit for insider trading profits.
GameStop Shuts Down Game Informer After 33 Years: End of an Era Discover the shocking end of Game Informer, the iconic gaming magazine, as GameStop pulls the plug after 33 years of groundbreaking coverage. #GameInformer #GameStop #GamingNews #EndOfAnEra #GamingCommunity pic.twitter.com/BBDnuI1Zo3
— The News USA (@elbramg) August 3, 2024
Game Informer’s legacy ends with its closure, but it leaves behind a significant impact on the gaming industry, remembered fondly by its staff and readers.
Key Points:
i. Closure Announcement: Game Informer, the longest-running gaming magazine in the U.S., has been shut down by parent company GameStop, effective immediately.
ii. Staff Laid Off: All staff were informed in a meeting and have been laid off, with severance terms provided.
iii. Final Issue: The magazine’s last issue will be number 367, featuring a cover story on Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
iv. Website Taken Down: The Game Informer website has been taken offline, erasing over a decade of articles, reviews, and reports.
v. Reactions: Former staff and fans have expressed anger and disappointment over the sudden closure and the handling of the announcement.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
