Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
The gaming news platform Polygon, established by Vox Media in 2012, has been acquired by Valnet Inc., a Canadian publishing company known for its online entertainment, sports, and hobbyist publications, including Game Rant, FextraLife, and TheGamer.
Numerous staff members at Polygon have either been let go or resigned, including co-founder and former editor-in-chief Chris Plante.
Key Personnel Departures
An announcement from Plante on the social platform Bluesky confirmed his departure: “I’m no longer with Polygon. If you’re hiring, please consider the many talented writers and editors now in the job market. Every one of them deserves a spot on your team. I won’t be discussing the sale further as I wasn’t involved.”
Noteworthy staff departures include:
- Matt Leone, special projects editor since Polygon’s inception in 2012, recognized for his oral histories of Street Fighter II and Final Fantasy VII.
- Nicole Carpenter, senior reporter focusing on in-depth investigative journalism.
- Pete Volk, curation editor, who announced that he, along with “just about everyone else at Polygon,” had been released.
The Legacy of Polygon
Polygon was Vox Media’s third publication and was launched with the aim of offering comprehensive, long-form features and investigative reporting within the gaming industry. Over time, it broadened its coverage to encompass various forms of entertainment and culture.
A New Era Under Valnet
Valnet Inc. CEO Hassan Youssef expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “The acquisition of Polygon not only strengthens our editorial capabilities but also enhances our ability to provide unparalleled value to both our audience and advertisers.”
This acquisition follows a legal dispute initiated by Valnet Inc. in April against media outlet The Wrap, contesting an investigative report that characterized Valnet Inc. as a “digital sweatshop. Valnet Inc. labeled the article as “a provocative smear piece,” while The Wrap’s legal representatives dismissed the lawsuit as “inconsistent, contradictory, and unsubstantiated.”
The purchase sends ripple effects throughout the games journalism landscape, underscoring the shifting dynamics in digital media and publishing. The ongoing changes raise questions about the future direction of gaming news and the editorial independence of acquired platforms.