Game Informer, the renowned gaming magazine with a rich history of over three decades, has unfortunately met its demise. The parent company, GameStop, has made the decision to shut down the magazine, leaving many gamers and industry professionals shocked and saddened by the news. In an announcement posted on Game Informer’s website and social media accounts, the closure was confirmed.
The statement expressed gratitude to the loyal readers who have been with the magazine throughout the years, highlighting the dedication of the Game Informer team in delivering the latest news, reviews, and insights from the ever-evolving world of gaming. While the presses may have stopped, the passion for gaming that has been fostered through the magazine will continue to live on.
However, the closure of Game Informer not only marks the end of an era for the longest-running gaming print magazine in the United States but also the loss of its entire digital archive. Visitors to the GameInformer.com website are now redirected to a landing page featuring the closure announcement. All internal links within the website also lead to the same page, rendering previously published news articles, reviews, and other content inaccessible.
This unfortunate loss of digital archives is becoming a distressingly common trend in the digital media industry. The closure of prominent publications often results in the removal of online content, leaving valuable information and resources inaccessible to the public. Just recently, Paramount made the decision to take down the MTV News website, including its digital archives, more than a year after the news organization ceased operations. This has led to the loss of years’ worth of interviews and other MTV news-related content.
While websites like the Internet Archive may have some archived content from Game Informer, these snapshots are typically incomplete and may have altered formatting or missing elements. The preservation of digital media remains a challenge, and the loss of valuable content is an unfortunate consequence.
The closure of Game Informer reflects the struggles that GameStop has faced in adapting to the changing landscape of the video game industry. With the shift from physical to digital media, GameStop has encountered difficulties in keeping up. The surge in meme stock craze in 2021 provided temporary relief, but GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen has recently emphasized the need for “extreme frugality” as the company continues to navigate its challenges.
It remains to be seen if GameStop has any plans to make the Game Informer archive available in the future. Mashable reached out to GameStop for confirmation and further details regarding the fate of the archive, and we will update if any response is received.
The closure of Game Informer serves as a reminder of the volatility and uncertainty within the media industry. It underscores the importance of preserving digital content and finding sustainable models for delivering news and information in the ever-evolving digital landscape. As the gaming community mourns the loss of Game Informer, it is a reminder of the valuable contributions that gaming magazines have made to the industry and the need to adapt to changing times.
