Gamers are mourning the end of an era as Game Informer, the popular magazine owned by GameStop, has announced its closure. After 33 years of providing news, reviews, and insights into the gaming world, the magazine published its final farewell post titled “The Final Level” on Friday.
Sudden Layoffs
The closure came abruptly, with the editorial staff being laid off without prior warning. The farewell post was not written by the laid-off staff but expressed gratitude to the readers for their decades of support.
“From the early days of pixelated adventures to today’s immersive virtual reality realms, we’ve been honored to share this incredible journey with you, our loyal readers,” the post reads. “While our presses may stop, the passion for gaming that we’ve cultivated together will continue to live on. Thank you for being part of our epic quest, and may your own gaming adventures never end.”
Final Issue and History
In June, Game Informer released its final issue, number 367, dedicated to “Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” the fourth installment in the fantasy franchise.
- First Issue: Published in 1991 by FuncoLand, a Minnesota-based retailer.
- Acquisition: GameStop acquired FuncoLand in 2000.
- Peak Popularity: By 2011, Game Informer became the third-largest magazine in the U.S., partly due to the boost from GameStop’s PowerUp Rewards membership program.
Timeline of Game Informer
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1991 | First issue published by FuncoLand |
| 2000 | Acquired by GameStop |
| 2011 | Became the third-largest magazine in the U.S. |
| 2024 | Published final issue in June |
