Vox Media’s acquisition of gaming site Polygon has led to widespread layoffs, affecting nearly all of the site’s staff in the process. The move comes on International Workers’ Day, a day often marked by industry job cuts.
Polygon was sold to Valnet, a company with over 27 brands under its umbrella. However, critics have accused Valnet of exploiting its employees, with reports suggesting that writers are replaced by contractors, compensation is significantly reduced, and those who complain face blacklisting from working for other Valnet sites.
The layoffs at Polygon mark the fifth round of job cuts at Vox Media-owned brands in a six-month period. The New York Mag Union confirmed that members were also impacted by the layoff. Rumors suggest that The Daily Dot may have experienced mass layoffs as well, although this has not been confirmed.
Industry experts point out that these layoffs are part of a broader trend in the media and entertainment sectors, where jobs are becoming increasingly scarce and unstable. As companies focus on other areas of growth, talented individuals and valuable content are at risk of being lost forever.
Source: https://www.avclub.com/polygon-sale-vox-media-valnet-layoffs