Game Informer Shut Down and Wiped From the Internet After 33 Years as a Gaming Magazine

GameStop's decision to shutter Game Informer, a gaming journalism giant with a 33-year history, has sent shockwaves through the industry. This article explores the announcement, the magazine's legacy, and the emotional responses from its staff.

Game Informer's Final Chapter

The Closure and GameStop's Actions

On August 2nd, a tweet from Game Informer's X account delivered the unexpected news: the magazine and its online presence were ceasing operations. This abrupt closure stunned fans and professionals alike, bringing an end to a 33-year run that spanned the evolution of gaming from pixelated beginnings to today's immersive worlds. While the announcement expressed gratitude to its readers, the suddenness of the decision left a bitter taste. The final issue, number 367, featuring Dragon Age: The Veilguard, will be its last. The entire website has been removed, replaced with a farewell message, effectively erasing decades of gaming history.

Employees learned of the immediate closure and subsequent layoffs during a Friday meeting with GameStop's VP of HR. The lack of prior warning has added to the widespread disappointment.

A Look Back at Game Informer's History

Game Informer (GI), a monthly publication featuring reviews, news, and strategy guides for video games and consoles, launched in August 1991 as an in-house newsletter for FuncoLand. Its acquisition by GameStop in 2000 marked a significant turning point.

The online presence, GameInformer.com, debuted in August 1996, initially offering daily updates and articles. After a brief closure around January 2001 following GameStop's acquisition, it was relaunched in September 2003 with a revamped design and expanded features, including a review database and subscriber-exclusive content.

A major website redesign in October 2009, coinciding with a magazine redesign, introduced new features like a media player and user review capabilities. The popular podcast, The Game Informer Show, also launched at this time.

However, GameStop's struggles in recent years, amidst the decline of physical game sales, cast a long shadow over Game Informer. Despite a surge in its stock price, GameStop implemented repeated job cuts, impacting Game Informer's staff on an almost annual basis. After removing physical copies of Game Informer from its rewards program, GameStop recently allowed direct-to-consumer subscriptions, hinting at a potential spin-off or sale. Instead, the publication was abruptly shut down.

The Outpouring of Employee Reaction

The unexpected closure has understandably devastated Game Informer's employees. Social media has become a platform for expressing disbelief, sorrow, and frustration over the lack of notice. Former staff members, some with decades of service, have shared memories and voiced their concerns.

Konami's official X account expressed gratitude for Game Informer's contributions to the gaming industry. Former staff members, including Kyle Hilliard (former content director) and Liana Ruppert (former staffer), shared their shock and sadness, highlighting the loss of their work and the lack of warning. Andy McNamara, a former editor-in-chief with a 29-year tenure, expressed heartbreak over the publication's demise.

Journalist Jason Schreier even noted the uncanny similarity between GameStop's farewell message and one generated by ChatGPT, highlighting the impersonal nature of the decision.

Game Informer's closure marks a significant loss for gaming journalism. Its 33-year contribution to the gaming community is undeniable, and its sudden end underscores the challenges faced by traditional media in the digital age. While the publication is gone, its legacy will undoubtedly endure in the memories of its readers and the stories it told.