On May 1, 2025, gaming journalism faced a blow when Vox Media sold Polygon to Valnet, owner of Game Rant and TheGamer, leading to widespread layoffs. At the same time, Fandom announced layoffs at Giant Bomb, a popular gaming outlet, as part of a “strategic reset.” These changes, impacting experienced journalists like Polygon co-founder Chris Plante and senior reporter Nicole Carpenter, have sparked worries about the state of gaming journalism and its impact on the gaming industry.
Founded in 2012, Polygon has been a key player in gaming journalism, reaching over 6 million U.S. users monthly. Valnet’s acquisition, an asset deal, resulted in at least 25 layoffs, including notable names like Plante, Michael McWhertor, and Petrana Radulovic, though deputy editor Maddy Myers and games editor Zoë Hannah stayed on. Loved for its personality-driven content, Giant Bomb, also faced layoffs, including reporter Jeff Grubb, with Fandom halting its live streaming.
Gaming journalism is facing tough times, with many outlets struggling to survive. The Washington Post’s Launcher and Vice’s Waypoint shut down in 2023, and Game Informer closed in 2024 before a partial comeback. Valnet often replaces staff with freelancers and focuses on click-driven articles, according to The Wrap. With ad revenue drying up and competition from YouTubers and influencers growing, sustainable models are hard to find.
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