IGN Acquires Gamer Network Sites and Layoffs Follow

IGN Entertainment has secured the UK-based Gamer Network for an undisclosed sum, placing several websites under its umbrella. These sites include Eurogamer, GamesIndustry.biz, Rock Paper Shotgun, VG247 and more. Additionally, the acquired business possesses shares in Digital Foundry, Outside Xbox and Hookshot, which operates sites such as Nintendo Life and Push Square.

IGN Entertainment, a division of digital media company Ziff Davis, sets its hefty purchase alongside the likes of IGN, MapGenie, HowLongtoBeat, and Humble Bundle. However, UK events MCM and EGX remain outside the agreed upon details of this sale. The same goes for Popverse, which will remain with ReedPop.

Immediately following the news of IGN Entertainment’s acquisition, several employees within Gamer Network were laid off. Rock Paper Shotgun’s deputy editor Alice Bell took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the news. Brendan Sinclair, the managing editor of GamesIndustry, also took to the social media outlet to break the news of his sudden unemployment.

The news comes at a time when the gaming industry is already facing a wave of hardships in this same vein, making it all the more difficult for those affected. As industry analysts stated back in March, this trend is only just beginning. A sad sentiment indeed, but the ongoing layoffs unfortunately seem to point toward its truth.

Joshua Garibay

Joshua has been embedded in the gaming industry since 2009, and gaming since the days of the Sega Genesis. His occupational focus in environmental health and safety may not cross over much with his beloved hobby, but he has always found time to play the latest releases, AAA and indie alike, as well as continue writing about the industry that has brought him countless years of joy.