Game Informer, the 33-year-old U.S.-based gaming publication and a staple of gaming culture going back to the days of the Sega Genesis and Nintendo Entertainment System, is officially no more. Its parent, GameStop, announced on Friday the magazine would cease all operations and dismiss all remaining staff.
The closure ends all editorial operations, which over the years had evolved to include a podcast and video documentaries as well as a deeper web presence, though it continued to print a hard copy magazine. That’s all done now. A social media post from Game Informer’s official account announced the news before noon EDT in the U.S.
The Final Level: Farewell from Game Informer 🕹️ pic.twitter.com/tmrEB2TE7U
— Game Informer (@gameinformer) August 2, 2024
GameStop acquired Game Informer in 2000 and had given out free subscriptions to the print version for being a member of the store’s customer loyalty program (which itself required a paid subscription). But with GameStop itself something of a retail-shopping relic and in-person visits to it or any other video games retailer declining, Game Informer battled against a declining circulation, as have many other print media, covering many other subjects.
Over the years, gaming culture’s turn to YouTube, Twitch, and influencers in lieu of traditional media chipped away at Game Informer’s audience — some of that being generational in nature. The gaming industry’s bigger shift away from packaged goods to formats like early access launches and live service games also diminished Game Informer’s relevance, which was strongly tied to reviews and previews of major launches.
Current and former Game Informer staff hit social media to post their regrets, some of it very bitter. The magazine had been subject to repeated layoffs before the final closure.
This is the worst fucking timeline and fuck GameStop. The industry is worse off without GI and that stupid piece of shit company that's been flying by its pants off meme stocks couldn't stand to see a part of it be successful without their direct intervention. https://t.co/hjEP4249jy
— Imran Khan (@imranzomg) August 2, 2024
Heartbroken and angry. Most of my adult life was spent at Game Informer. All day, I’ve been remembering amazing moments I had with the team – some of the most talented and kindhearted people I’ve ever met and was lucky enough to work with. End of an era, but GI forever!
— Andrew Reiner (@Andrew_Reiner) August 2, 2024
It's really hard to put into words how sad I am. This place was more than a job, I really grew up there from a college kid, went all around the world, met so many amazing people, and worked with the best colleagues anyone could ever ask for. Can't believe it's all gone. https://t.co/DtcQLEEjdb
— Matt Helgeson (@MattHelgeson) August 2, 2024
Kotaku, citing unnamed sources within the magazine, said there was even doubt that the official hail-and-farewell post announcing Game Informer’s closure was written by any current editorial staff. Kyle Hilliard, the magazine’s content director, said the latest edition was “about 70% done […] and it was going to have a GREAT cover.”
Game Informer’s shutdown comes on the heels of other layoffs in the video games industry and its adjacent fields, including PlayStation-owned Destiny 2 maker Bungie letting go 17% of its workforce, and chip-maker Intel sending notice it would axe a whopping 15,000 in staff in cost-saving moves through 2025.
