The purchase resulted in redundancies across the sites, with longtime staffers being let go in the consolidation.
I began my career as a freelancer during a time of expansion for games media.
Others, like Kotaku UK, were extensions of existing brands.
Over time, that media presence has eroded.
Big sites like Vice have shuttered their gaming verticals.
There’s generally very little money to be made for most people covering games.
Andrew Reiner, who had been at the magazine for nearly 30 years, departed in 2022.
These aren’t old guys packing it up for retirement.
The Giant Bomb Model
For over a decade, theres been a path for going independent.
Though some of those outlets focus on writing, most are personality-driven, emphasizing podcast and video content.
This happens for a few reasons.
On the one hand, thats just where the money is.
Conversational, reaction-focused content is easier to make than in-depth reporting or criticism.
It also involves less legal risk.
Though games critics and reporters cover the industry, we aren’t a part of it.
This brings its own problems.
Journalism doesnt always lead directly to change, but it can.
The hollowing out of games media means that there arent many being trained to do it either.
Even when journalism doesnt lead to direct change, its still important.
Its important for readers to be informed about the companies theyre supporting.
Its important that companies know they will be held to account for their actions.
Its important for the industry to move toward transparency instead of away from it.
Ninja Theory’s harrowing sequel takes control from the player far too much.
