Breaking: Gaming Magazine Game Informer Disappears After 3 Decades

Gaming journalism suffered a significant blow with the abrupt closure of Game Informer, a magazine that had been a mainstay for 33 years. This article explores the announcement, Game Informer's history, and the emotional responses from its staff.

Game Informer's Final Chapter

The Announcement and GameStop's Decision

On August 2nd, Game Informer's Twitter (X) account delivered the shocking news: the magazine and its online presence were ceasing operations immediately. This unexpected closure ended a 33-year run, leaving fans and industry professionals reeling. The announcement acknowledged the magazine's long journey, from the early days of pixelated games to today's immersive experiences, thanking readers for their unwavering support. While the publication is gone, the spirit of gaming it championed will endure.

The staff, also responsible for a website, podcast, and online video documentaries, received the news of their immediate layoff during a Friday meeting with GameStop's VP of HR. Issue #367, featuring a Dragon Age: The Veilguard cover story, will be their last. The entire website has been removed, replaced with a farewell message, effectively erasing decades of gaming history.

Game Informer's Legacy

Game Informer (GI) was a prominent American monthly video game magazine, providing articles, news, strategy guides, and reviews. Its origins trace back to August 1991 as an in-house newsletter for the video game retailer FuncoLand, later acquired by GameStop in 2000.

Game Informer Online debuted in August 1996, offering daily news and articles. After GameStop's acquisition, the original site was closed around January 2001, only to be relaunched in September 2003 with a complete redesign and expanded features.

A major online redesign launched in October 2009, coinciding with a magazine redesign. New features included a media player, user activity feed, and user reviews. The popular podcast, "The Game Informer Show," also premiered at this time.

In recent years, GameStop's struggles impacted Game Informer. Despite a meme stock surge, the company implemented job cuts, including recurring layoffs at Game Informer. After removing physical copies from its rewards program, GameStop recently allowed Game Informer to sell directly to subscribers – a move that seemed to hint at a potential independent future, which ultimately didn't materialize.

Staff Reactions and the Aftermath

The sudden closure has devastated Game Informer's employees. Social media posts express shock, sadness, and frustration over the lack of notice. Long-time staff members shared memories and lamented the loss of their work and the publication's legacy. The Konami account on X offered a heartfelt farewell, while former staff members, including Kyle Hilliard and Liana Ruppert, voiced their disappointment and concern. Andy McNamara, a former editor-in-chief who dedicated 29 years to the magazine, expressed his heartbreak.

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

Game Informer's closure marks the end of an era. For 33 years, it was a cornerstone of the gaming community. Its demise underscores the challenges faced by traditional media in the digital landscape, leaving a void in gaming journalism and a lasting impact on its readers and contributors.