Two prominent gaming websites, Polygon and Giant Bomb, have ceased operations following staff layoffs and creative disputes with their owners.
Polygon, launched in 2012 by Vox Media, was a leading site for gaming news and criticism, while Giant Bomb, founded in 2008, focused on personality-driven coverage of the gaming industry. Both sites attracted large followings and generated significant revenue through advertising and sponsored content.
However, both Polygon and Giant Bomb are now without their staff due to ownership changes. Vox Media sold Polygon to Valnet, a media company with a history of low-paying, high-output positions, resulting in the layoff of almost all employees.
Giant Bomb’s owner, Fandom, imposed significant changes on the site, including shifting its tone and focus away from live streams and podcasts that defined Giant Bomb’s unique personality.
The shutdown of these websites marks a concerning trend for journalism and criticism online. With an ever-dwindling ecosystem of websites chasing clicks, underpaid writers are struggling to produce high-quality content. The loss of Polygon and Giant Bomb is especially devastating, as they represented the best of internet gaming coverage and culture.
Source: https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/games-journalism/game-websites-polygon-and-giant-bomb-both-dismantled-on-the-same-day