In August 2024, the prolific gaming news publication, Game Informer, shuttered its doors after 33 years of circulation. The decision made unilaterally by their then-parent company: GameStop. As a result, the entire staff was laid off with both the magazine and their website halting production.
In the letter from the editor-in-chief on GameInformer.com, Matt Miller said, “I was devastated last summer when Game Informer was shuttered by our prior parent company, and so was the rest of our team”. This news wasn’t trivial and sent waves across the gaming industry and its fans. Many publications released headlines following the news of their departure. Kotaku published, GameStop Shuts Down Game Informer, The Longest-Running Gaming Magazine In The U.S. PCGamer wrote, Game Informer staff tweets one last goodbye after all of their work was deleted. Medium published, The End of Game Informer-But the Real Question Is Why.
The news surprising many gaming fans across the world, as Game Informer was a cornerstone to the gaming community. Whether gamers played Counter-Strike, Hearts of Iron, or The Witcher series, the magazine provided gamers across all genres an avenue to reconvene and read about the latest top stories, and reviews. Serving as the distinguished go-to with the most objective journalism this industry can provide, the publication would also set the precedent as to what the industry standard should be.
Then, in a surprising turn, Game Informer announced its return. In an article posted March 21, 2025 the team thanked fans for their support and confirmed that Gunzilla Games had acquired the rights to the publication. Miller stated on the GI website that the rights to Game Informer were bought by Gunzilla Games. Miller said, “…the new owners insisted on the idea of Game Informer remaining an independent editorial outlet; they felt just as strongly as our team did that the only path forward was with an editorial group that made 100 percent of the decisions around what we cover and how we do so, without any influence from them or anyone else…Game Informer now operates under an entity called Game Informer Inc…” Let’s take a look back at the legacy forged for 33 years.
1990’s
In August 1991, Game Informer began to carve out a name for itself under the publisher: Funcoland – a videogame retailer that would be acquired by GameStop. Game Informer’s purpose then was simpler, being more of a promotional newsletter rather than a fully realized journalistic entity. With gaming reaching higher mainstreams, so did Game Informers ambitions.
Transitioning from a glorified retail catalogue into a gaming publication, it was able to cover the rise of CD-based consoles like the PlayStation and the Sega Saturn, along with the arrival of the Nintendo 64 in 1996. The magazine evolved to include more than just reviews and previews but later developer interviews, opinion pieces, and feature stories that helped further legitimize the gaming industry’s staying power and cultural presence as it shaped the world.
Closing in on the 2000’s, Game Informer became known as a respected publication that was created for gamers, by gamers. The writing styles were accessible but intellectual, appealing to the youth and young adults simultaneously. With growing yearly subscriber numbers, it would lay the foundation for their massive influence that would reach the new millennium and more.
2000’s
Moving into the 2000’s, GameStop acquired Funcoland as a strategic part of their marketing and customer engagement. With GameStop’s PowerUp Rewards program launching in 2010, GameStop bundled Game Informer alongside leading to millions of new subscribers with those who subscribed to the program receiving the magazine regardless. By 2005, it was considered the most widely read videogame magazine in the United States and around the world. At its peak, according to GamesIndustry.biz it reached 8.2 million monthly subscribers, a number that has yet to be replicated by any other gaming publication.
The magazine began to publish editorial issues with exclusive cover stories, featuring monthly AAA titles, often including unreleased concept art. This gave Game Informer a higher level of prestige among the gaming industry. Having iconic Game Informer covers over the years like: Bioshock, Gears of War, Assassin’s Creed¸ and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion many publishers and studios saw that as a stamp of brand recognition and renown.
In 2009, Game Informer went through a redesign to modernize the magazine’s look, with the logo changed, page layouts becoming minimalist, and overall editorial structure updated. A course of action to show the publication’s maturing with a sleeker form.
2010’s
Moving into the 2010s, the print industry began to struggle with the rise of online celebrities, podcasts, and social media as dominant platforms for news and entertainment. Game Informer continued to remain strong regardless. Adapting to this digital shift by incorporating video features, podcasts, web-exclusive content such as live coverage of events like E3, Gamescom, or the Game Awards online.
Unfortunately, in 2019, GameStop dealing with financial woes led to half of Game Informer’s editorial staff laid off which contributed to the publication’s instability. Due to GameStop’s declining business model, it caused further complications with the publication causing Game Informer to close its doors in August 2024.
Game Informer’s legacy is one built on passion, influence, and honest journalism. Not many gaming publications have earned the same level of trust or cultural importance, since it shut down in 2024. But its return in 2025 showed that real journalism backed by community support and full independence — still has a place. For many gamers, Game Informer was more than just a magazine. It was a trusted voice, a constant presence, and a reflection of how the gaming world grew and changed.