Game Informer, one of the biggest long-running video game magazines, has reached its "final level" as it announces its shutdown after 33 years.
The magazine made its final farewell on X (formerly Twitter), thanking all the people who helped build the "passion for gaming that we've cultivated together."
The Final Level: Farewell from Game Informer đšī¸ pic.twitter.com/tmrEB2TE7U
— Game Informer (@gameinformer) August 2, 2024
The post immediately received tons of appreciation from many old players, calling the closure the "end of an era" in the gaming community.
What is the Game Informer?
For those unaware of Game Informer, the publication is one of the early magazines dedicated to video game reviews, strategies, and exclusive articles for upcoming titles from major game publishers.
In a time where online forums around games are harder to find, magazines like Game Informer are the best way for many people to learn how to clear difficult levels and bosses.
It has also become a way for many players to reach out to the prototype version of the gaming community today. The same can be said with developers able to interact with their players before social media platforms became common.
During the early days of the pandemic, the publication has turned to online shows and podcasts, providing people with the latest bits in the gaming community and industry.
The hype around the Game Informer Show, however, did not last long after the lockdown as more people lessened their time around playing games and returning outside.
Game Informer Shutdown: The End of an Era
As many people have already said online, the Game Informer's shutdown marks the "end of an era" in gaming history as physical products become a thing of the past.
The same can be seen with its parent company, GameStop, which has since seen a huge decline in revenue as game publishers release their newest titles online rather than host physical copies through game stores.
Similar signs can be seen with the closure of the annual E3 Expo as game publishers move their announcements to their own special events rather than hosting them through a convention in real life.
The shutdown can be seen as the final nail in the coffin as the industry and the gaming community move towards social media and dedicated online platforms for reviews, strategies, discussions, and articles.
