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

Game Informer's Legacy Ends: A 33-Year Run Concludes

GameStop's decision to shutter Game Informer, a gaming journalism mainstay for over three decades, has sent shockwaves through the industry. This article explores the announcement, reflects on Game Informer's history, and examines the emotional responses from its former staff.

The Unexpected Closure

On August 2nd, a tweet from Game Informer's official X account announced the immediate cessation of both its print magazine and online presence. This abrupt ending to a 33-year run left fans and professionals stunned. The announcement acknowledged the magazine's long history, from the early days of pixelated gaming to the current era of immersive virtual worlds, expressing gratitude to its loyal readership. However, the website was swiftly removed, with all historical links now redirecting to a brief farewell message. This effectively erased decades of gaming history from the internet.

Employees learned of the closure in a Friday meeting with GameStop's VP of HR, receiving immediate layoff notices. Issue #367, featuring a Dragon Age: The Veilguard cover story, will be the final publication.

A Look Back at Game Informer's History

Game Informer, an American monthly video game magazine, debuted in August 1991 as an in-house newsletter for FuncoLand, later acquired by GameStop in 2000. Its online counterpart, GameInformer.com, launched in August 1996, undergoing several redesigns and expansions over the years, including the addition of a review database, regular news updates, and subscriber-exclusive content. A significant redesign in 2009 introduced new features such as a media player and user review capabilities, alongside the launch of the popular "Game Informer Show" podcast.

In recent years, GameStop's financial struggles and internal restructuring negatively impacted Game Informer, leading to repeated layoffs and a challenging operational environment. Despite a brief period of renewed hope following the resumption of direct-to-consumer subscriptions, the ultimate decision to close the publication came as a devastating blow.

Employee Reactions and Industry Mourning

The sudden closure has resulted in widespread dismay and anger among former Game Informer employees. Social media posts express shock, sadness, and frustration over the lack of advance notice. Long-time staff members shared their memories and lamented the loss of their contributions to gaming journalism. The reaction from the gaming community has been one of collective mourning for the loss of a significant publication. Comments from former employees and industry figures highlight the profound impact Game Informer had on the gaming landscape and the personal investment its staff made over the years.

Even the observation that the farewell message resembled something generated by ChatGPT underscores the impersonal nature of the closure and the lack of sensitivity shown to the dedicated team.

The closure of Game Informer represents a significant loss for gaming journalism, marking the end of an era. While the digital age presents challenges for traditional media, the void left by Game Informer's sudden demise serves as a stark reminder of its lasting contribution to the gaming community.