In a shocking twist that has left the gaming community reeling, Game Informer, the popular video game magazine that has been a staple of the industry for over three decades, has abruptly closed its doors. Parent company GameStop pulled the plug on the publication, leaving its staff and loyal readers stunned.
Founded in 1991, Game Informer rose from humble beginnings as a FuncoLand newsletter to become a mainstay in gaming journalism. At its peak, it outpaced heavyweights like Time Magazine and Sports Illustrated, proving that gaming adventures could captivate readers just as much as current events or sports stats. For many gamers, flipping through the pages of Game Informer was a monthly ritual, a window into the exciting world of upcoming releases and industry insider knowledge.
But on Friday, August 2, the game suddenly changed. GameStop’s VP of HR called the entire staff into a meeting to deliver the news: Game Informer was shutting down, effective immediately. The staff, some of whom were in the middle of work trips, found themselves unexpectedly facing unemployment with no prior notice.
Adding insult to injury, GameStop released a farewell message that many speculate was written by AI rather than the passionate writers who had poured their hearts into the magazine for years. The entire Game Informer website was also shut down, taking with it a treasure trove of gaming history, including reviews, interviews, and features that had documented the industry’s evolution over three decades.
As expected, many industry veterans, current staff, and fans alike took to social media to express their disbelief and frustration. Kyle Hilliard, the magazine’s content director, was left lamenting at the loss of what would have been “a GREAT cover” for the next issue. Former editor-in-chief Andy McNamara, who had been there since issue one, also shared his heartbreak at seeing the publication’s journey come to an end.
For those feeling nostalgic, there’s still a way to relive the glory days of Game Informer. Many back issues have been preserved on the Internet Archive, and a dedicated archival project is underway in the MinnMax Discord.
