Game Informer Shuts Down After 33 Years, Online Presence Erased

GameStop has terminated Game Informer, a pivotal gaming journalism outlet for over three decades. Discover the details of the closure, the magazine's storied past, and the stunned reactions from its staff.

Game Informer Ends Its Run as a Gaming Authority

GameStop's Decision and Closure Announcement

On August 2, Game Informer revealed via its Twitter (X) account that both its print and digital operations would cease. This abrupt announcement concluded a 33-year legacy, leaving fans and industry insiders reeling. The statement reflected on the magazine's journey from early gaming eras to modern immersive worlds, thanking dedicated readers for their support and affirming that the shared passion for gaming would endure despite the closure.

The magazine's staff, responsible for its website, weekly podcast, and video documentaries on game studios, were summoned to a meeting with GameStop’s HR Vice President on Friday. They were informed of the immediate shutdown and their layoffs, with severance details to follow. The closure halts production after issue 367, spotlighting Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and the entire website has been removed, with all links now redirecting to a farewell note, erasing decades of gaming archives.

The Legacy of Game Informer

Game Informer (GI) was a prominent American monthly magazine offering news, strategies, and reviews on video games and consoles. Launched in August 1991 as an in-house newsletter by retailer FuncoLand, it was later acquired by GameStop in 2000 following its purchase of FuncoLand.

Game Informer Online debuted in August 1996, providing daily news and articles. In November 1999, Justin Leeper and Matthew Kato joined as full-time web editors. After GameStop’s acquisition, the original GameInformer.com closed around January 2001, with Leeper and Kato transitioning to the magazine’s editorial team.

The online platform was relaunched in September 2003 with a full redesign, featuring a review database, regular news updates, and exclusive content for subscribers.

In March 2009, the online team began developing a major website redesign, launched on October 1, 2009, alongside a magazine overhaul. Editor-In-Chief Andy McNamara welcomed users to the updated site, which introduced an enhanced media player, user activity feeds, and user-generated reviews. That same day, The Game Informer Show podcast debuted.

In recent years, GameStop’s decline in physical game sales burdened Game Informer with ineffective management and conflicting directives. Despite a financial boost from its meme stock surge, GameStop continued layoffs, including regular cuts at Game Informer. Recently, the magazine resumed direct subscriptions after being dropped from GameStop’s rewards program, hinting at potential independence, but the closure ended those prospects.

Staff Reactions to the Closure

The abrupt end of Game Informer left its staff in shock and grief. Many expressed their anguish on social media, mourning the sudden loss of their work and the magazine’s legacy. Long-time employees shared memories and frustration over the lack of warning and the erasure of their contributions to gaming journalism.

"Thank you for your contributions to the gaming industry," posted Konami’s official X account. "We’ll always cherish the excitement of awaiting each new issue."

"We were nearly 70% done with the next issue, and it was set to feature an incredible cover," said Kyle Hilliard, former content director.

"All our work at Game Informer… just gone," said Liana Ruppert, a former staffer who departed in 2021. "Some of my best work was there. My heart breaks for those who invested so much more time, only to have it erased without notice. How is this fair?"

"Having been there from issue one, fighting for GI my entire career, it’s heartbreaking to see it end," said Andy McNamara, former editor-in-chief with 29 years at the publication.

Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier noted that ChatGPT produced a farewell message strikingly similar to GameStop’s official statement. "I asked ChatGPT to craft a goodbye for Game Informer, and it closely mirrored the one GameStop posted," he said.

The closure of Game Informer marks the end of a significant chapter in gaming journalism. For 33 years, it shaped the gaming community with in-depth coverage and insights. Its sudden end underscores the struggles of traditional media in the digital era, leaving a lasting legacy in the memories of its readers and the stories it told.