Word is slowly trickling out regarding layoffs that took place today at some of the biggest gaming publications including IGN, Team Xbox and potentially others that fall under the News Corporation flag. IGN has seen several shakeups in their editorial structure over the past six months and this seems to be their latest effort to maintain profitability in the current economic climate. The number of people affected is not clear at this time.
It has been confirmed that Chris Roper, former Editor-in-Chief of the IGN PlayStation Team and former Executive Editor of IGN, has been let go. Chris’ Twitter feed reads “Layoffs are the worst pre-birthday gift ever. If anyone knows of anything open, let me know, be it PR, production, community or otherwise.” Long time industry vet and former Editor-in-Chief of Team Xbox, Andy Eddy, also took to Twitter saying, “So, the curtain closes on my time at IGN and TeamXbox. Not a particularly good day, but trying to look forward to a brighter future.”
IGN President, Roy Bahat, has released a memo that addresses the situation in which he talks generally about why these measures were necessary, but it is light on details. The full memo is available at Joystiq.
There are currently active threads regarding the layoffs on both the IGN and Team Xbox forums. This story is still developing and we will update this post as necessary.
Source – Joystiq
For those wondering, Arthur Gies (of Eat. Sleep. Game., Rebel FM, and Team Xbox) did not lose his job.
But in further sad news, Team Xbox founder Brent "Shockwave" Soboleski was fired as well, marking the tenth anniversary of the site. A horrible coincidence.
Damn it!! Gies lives another day!
I kid but with those articles coming out from IGN yeah…………….. layoffs suck but there work was far worse then most blogs.
What will come of BEYOND?! Damn 4G1U took a podcast down w em! (I hope they change the name and take some fresh ideas but kill the douchy DE style.)
1up now is the time to retake ur former glory now that IGN is hurting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's try to be a little more constructive and positive with less personal judgements. Opinions are fine, but constant reiteration of dislike for people is over the top.
Fair enough, you sir are the voice of reason in this madness!
That being the market dictates what sites live and die and the owners decide who is worth paying
That's why I visit this one and leave comments (Im pretty sure jonac13 hates me too!)
Nah, it's like middle school around here, that's how he shows he "likes" you.
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