Game Informer, the longest-running gaming magazine in the US, has been shut down after 33 years of publication.
On August 3, staff were reportedly called into a meeting by parent company GameStop, where they were informed of the closure and received details about severance packages.
Former employees, including video lead Alex Van Aken, noted that the Game Informer site was taken down immediately, preventing staff from backing up their work.
We can’t access the website to backup our years of work. It’s just a landing page now. pic.twitter.com/pXaImC9cJZ
— Alex Van Aken (@itsVanAken) August 2, 2024
Also commenting on the news, content director Kyle Hilliard revealed that the team was close to completing the next issue when they were laid off.
Game Informer has been closed down by GameStop and the entire, incredibly talented staff (including myself) have all been laid off. A frustrating turn of events (especially considering we were about 70% done with the next issue and it was going to have a GREAT cover).
— Kyle Hilliard (@KyleMHilliard) August 2, 2024
Game Informer, acquired by GameStop in 2000, has a storied history. For a long time, it provided exclusive insights and interviews on major gaming titles like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth and Star Wars Outlaws.
The magazine’s sudden end means its 367th issue, featuring a Dragon Age: The Veilguard cover story, will be its last.
The closure also extends to the magazine’s website, which has been replaced with an official statement, erasing over a decade of articles, reviews, and original reports. Former video producer Ben Hanson expressed his frustration on social media, criticizing the corporate decision.
I'm furious about the end of Game Informer. It was an incredible 33-year run and then GameStop pumps out this phony/empty farewell message. I'd bet money it was written by AI.
Fuck you, GameStop and a huge fuck you to Ryan Cohen. https://t.co/XeTY5HoxNV
— Ben Hanson (@yozetty) August 2, 2024
To many, Game Informer was more than just a magazine; it was a significant source of gaming news, reviews, and features for decades.
In its prime, it stood alongside publications like Game Pro and Electronic Gaming Monthly. Its acquisition by GameStop in 2000 helped solidify its presence through the retailer’s stores, offering subscriptions as part of the GameStop rewards program.
Despite the recent reintroduction of direct subscriptions, Game Informer’s closure reflects broader struggles within GameStop, which has faced ongoing financial challenges and layoffs. The end of Game Informer marks a significant loss for the gaming community, closing a chapter on a publication that had become an integral part of the industry.