Former Game Informer Staffer Offers An Actual Farewell: "Be Well. Play Well."

As a lifelong gamer and subscriber of Game Informer since its inception, I must say that this turn of events feels like a punch to the heart. I remember flipping through those glossy pages during my formative years, eagerly devouring every bit of news, reviews, and features about the games I loved.


As a gamer, I found myself reflecting on a bittersweet farewell from someone who used to be part of the Game Informer family. Last week, the magazine unexpectedly closed its doors after an impressive 33-year run. The goodbye shared on August 2 wasn’t penned by any current staff member, hinting at a departure that was perhaps more complex than we initially thought. It’s a strange feeling, knowing that a beloved piece of my gaming community has taken its final bow.

In a recent post on platform X, a former member of Game Informer magazine penned a piece expressing that the publication’s esteemed history deserved more than what had been shared with the public up until now. This message was concluded by Matt Miller, the magazine’s previous editor-in-chief, who added, “Take care. Enjoy your gaming.” As an accompanying touch, two images were included that showcased the masthead from issue 368, which is currently in development but will not be completed. The attached screenshots serve to honor the staff members who recently lost their positions with the magazine.

As a devoted alum of Game Informer, it’s bittersweet to bid farewell to our cherished publication that has been a significant part of my life for 33 years. With heavy hearts, we depart with honor, knowing we gave it our all during our tenure.

— Game Informer (@gameinformer) August 5, 2024

Jason Schreier, a reporter from Bloomberg, recently posted on X that he asked an artificial intelligence (AI), specifically ChatGPT, to generate a “farewell for Game Informer”. The message produced by the AI resembled one shared by Game Informer last week. Schreier also attached images side-by-side comparing the two goodbyes; however, it remains unconfirmed whether parent company GameStop utilized AI to produce their message.

As a fellow gaming enthusiast, I felt compelled to pen down some heartfelt words in memory of Game Informer magazine. Just like the GameStop executives, I too bid adieu to a cherished companion that has been an integral part of our gaming journey for so long.

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) August 2, 2024

On August 2, GameStop decided to cease publication of Game Informer, a magazine that had been running since 1991 during the 16-bit gaming era. Over the years, it became one of the iconic video game publications alongside peers such as EGM and GamePro. The final issue numbered 367, featuring Dragon Age: The Veilguard on its cover.

As someone who has been following the gaming industry for decades and has subscribed to various gaming magazines over the years, I must say that this new development by Game Informer is quite exciting! Previously, accessing their magazine was either limited to having a GameStop Pro membership or purchasing individual issues at stores, which could get expensive and inconvenient. But now, offering standalone subscriptions allows gamers like me, who may not have a GameStop Pro membership or live far away from a store, the opportunity to easily access the latest gaming news and reviews. I’m looking forward to seeing what other benefits this new subscription model brings to the table!

As of its last update, the Game Informer website showcases a farewell note posted on August 2, implying that for now, their archived cover stories and historical magazine content cannot be accessed.

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2024-08-05 19:39