Game Informer Magazine Shut Down by GameStop After 33 Years

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Key Takeaways

  • GameStop has shut down Game Informer after 33 years, laying off the entire staff.
  • The closure halted the completion of the magazine's next issue and erased its online content.
  • This decision reflects GameStop's ongoing financial struggles and frequent layoffs.

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.

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, 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.

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.