Game Informer’s 33-year legacy ends: The closure of an iconic gaming magazine and what it means for media preservation
The Final Curtain Call: 33 Years of Gaming Journalism
Game Informer has officially closed down after 33 years and 367 issues, and fans sent the iconic magazine off in style.
After 33 years and 367 issues, Game Informer confirmed that the publication is closing. It’s a bittersweet moment as fans celebrate the magazine’s legacy.
Game Informer was a monthly video game magazine that delivered a mix of news, strategy guides, and reviews. In 2000, GameStop acquired the publication and formed a relationship that helped propel the magazine to being one of the most popular in North America.
The magazine’s closure represents the end of one of gaming’s most influential media institutions, having shaped how generations of players discovered and understood video games. From breaking news about upcoming releases to comprehensive strategy guides that helped players navigate complex games, Game Informer became a trusted companion for gaming enthusiasts across multiple console generations.
From Print to Digital: The Evolution and Decline
In 2019, Game Informer laid off half of its staff due to declining financials for GameStop and spent the latter half of the 2010s shifting its focus to online-based content. In March 2024, Game Informer made one final push, offering a print magazine subscription from GameStop’s Power Up Rewards for 10 print issues per year.
However, the June 2024 issue ended up being the final one as the magazine officially closed up shop.
Game Informer confirmed, “After 33 thrilling years of bringing you the latest, news, reviews, and insights from the ever-evolving world of gaming, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Game Informer.”
The Final Level: Farewell from Game Informer 🕹️ pic.twitter.com/tmrEB2TE7U
The transition from print to digital proved challenging for many traditional gaming publications, with Game Informer’s struggle mirroring broader industry trends. The shift required adapting to instant online publishing cycles while maintaining the depth and quality that made print magazines valuable to readers. Despite efforts to modernize, the publication couldn’t overcome the financial pressures affecting both retail gaming and traditional media.
The Sudden Closure: Content Preservation Crisis
Devastated by the sudden closure and inability to read more articles from the publication, fans flooded the comment section with thanks and memories from the memorable 33-year run. And, according to the people laid off, this closure was just as sudden for them as it was for everyone else.
Former Game Informer journalist Alex Van Aken pointed out that the website redirects fans to the farewell message, meaning years of work is gone.
If Van Aken’s experience is shared by other writers at Game Informer, this writing may be lost forever outside of print issues.
We can’t access the website to backup our years of work. It’s just a landing page now. pic.twitter.com/pXaImC9cJZ
This situation highlights a critical issue in digital media preservation: when publications close abruptly, vast archives of content can become inaccessible. For gaming historians and researchers, the loss represents a significant gap in documenting the industry’s evolution. Content creators should regularly backup their work across multiple platforms to prevent similar losses, using cloud storage and personal archives to safeguard their contributions to gaming culture.
Community Response: A Generation’s Gaming Memories
Those who have been reading the magazine since they were kids offered up their support for those who had been laid off.
“It’s been a crazy journey. Thank you so much for every issue. I can’t tell you how important and formative you were for me,” one fan responded.
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Game Informer established a reputation for creating eye-catching covers and highlighting upcoming games, and some fans shared their favorite artwork in the comment section.
“Sad day in gaming. I remember reading game informer and getting so excited for games in the industry. Thank you for all the memories.” a commenter added.
To many, Game Informer provided childhood memories that helped shape them into the avid video game players they are today, and several comments expressed that sentiment.
“Getting your magazines every month and reading them at school with my friends was childhood. You will be missed,” a third user claimed.
The emotional response underscores how gaming media forms deep connections with audiences, becoming part of players’ identities and social experiences. For many, discovering new games through magazine covers and previews created anticipation that digital storefronts and algorithm-driven recommendations struggle to replicate.
Broader Industry Context: The Media Preservation Challenge
Game Informer layoffs highlight a massive problem currently impacting the video game industry. On July 31, Bungie lost roughly 40% of its workforce putting the Destiny series in peril.
The gaming industry faces unprecedented challenges with media preservation and content accessibility. As digital platforms become dominant, the risk of losing historical content increases significantly. Industry professionals recommend establishing independent archives and supporting institutions like the Video Game History Foundation to ensure future generations can access gaming’s rich history.
For content creators and journalists, diversifying platforms and maintaining personal archives has become essential practice. Relying solely on corporate-owned platforms puts years of work at risk, as demonstrated by Game Informer’s sudden website redirection. The closure serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of digital media ecosystems.
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