News: Polygon's massive layoffs and the sudden sale to Valnet

Author: GameTikker

✪ Introduction

In early May 2025, the gaming journalism landscape experienced a significant shakeup with the announcement of major layoffs at Polygon, a leading gaming news website. Sold by Vox Media to Valnet, Polygon saw a substantial number of its staff, including key editorial figures, let go, sparking widespread discussion within the gaming community. This article delves into the details of the layoffs, the context of the sale, and the broader implications for gaming media, providing a detailed examination of the events and their impact.

✪ Polygon's History

Polygon was launched in 2012 as part of Vox Media's network, quickly establishing itself as a go-to source for gaming news, reviews, and features. Known for its high-quality writing and in-depth analysis, Polygon has covered a wide range of topics within the gaming industry, from major AAA releases to indie darlings.

The site has also been praised for its investigative journalism, such as exposés on working conditions in game development studios. Notable works include their "Unfinished" series, which provides early looks at games in development, and comprehensive reviews that often delve into the cultural and social implications of games. Polygon has also been a platform for diverse voices in gaming, promoting inclusivity and representation, earning it a dedicated following among gamers and industry professionals alike.

✪ Details of the Sale and Layoffs

On May 1, 2025, Vox Media announced the sale of Polygon to Valnet, a Canadian publisher known for owning several online publications such as Game Rant, FextraLife, and TheGamer. The price of the deal was not disclosed, and the press release did not mention the layoffs, which came as a surprise to many.

According to reports over 20 staff members were laid off, including co-founder and editor-in-chief Chris Plante, special projects editor Matt Leone, senior reporter Nicole Carpenter, and curation editor Pete Volk.

The layoffs were particularly abrupt, with some staff members, such as Nicole Carpenter, publishing articles just hours before learning of their termination. Carpenter, for instance, covered the Epic vs. Apple case at 10 am Eastern time before sharing her layoff news on Bluesky less than two hours later. Pete Volk also shared on Bluesky, "Along with just about everyone else at Polygon, I am now out of a job, ending over a decade at Vox Media for me," highlighting the sudden and widespread nature of the cuts.

Chris Plante, in his Bluesky post, stated, "I'm no longer with Polygon. If you're hiring, please consider the many talented writers and editors now on the market. Every one of them deserves a spot on your staff. I won't be talking more about the sale because I wasn't involved. Going to hang out with my kid. Taking wins where I can." This sentiment was echoed by other departing staff, with Deputy Editor Matthew Reynolds confirming his departure, saying, "It's been a privilege to work with an incredibly talented and supportive team who I'll really miss, and I'm enormously proud of what we've accomplished in our time together."

Despite the layoffs, a small number of staff, including Deputy Editor Maddy Myers and Games Editor Zoë Hannah, remain with Polygon under its new ownership, according to Kotaku's report. Valnet's plans for the site include retaining Polygon's archives, as told to The Verge by a Valnet representative, though it remains unclear whether they will hire a new editor-in-chief.

✪ Union and Community Reactions

The Vox Media Union, represented by the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), issued a strong statement criticizing the sale and layoffs. "Arguably even more demoralizing is Vox Media's decision to sell a lauded games website to a company known for alleged exploitative conditions and for devaluing rigorous journalism in favor of churning out content," the union wrote.

They continued, "Losing Polygon to such a company is not just a loss for Vox Media, but for our industry and internet culture as a whole. From a sustainability perspective, it makes little financial or long-term sense, and speaks to a lack of care and consideration for this company and its staff." This statement was particularly poignant given that the sale and layoffs occurred with only a month left until the current union contract expired at Vox Media.

Freelancers who had worked with Polygon also took to social media to praise their experience, as noted in the Aftermath article, highlighting the positive impact of the site's former staff on the industry.

✪ Context in the Gaming Media Industry

The layoffs at Polygon are part of a broader trend of instability in gaming journalism throughout the 2020s. Several other outlets have faced closures or significant reductions in staff, reflecting the challenges of maintaining profitability in the digital media landscape.

For instance, the Washington Post's gaming section was closed in 2023, and Vice's Waypoint was shuttered the same year. Long-running US magazine Game Informer was unceremoniously closed last year but was reopened by a new investor earlier in 2025. Other publications, such as iO9/Gizmodo, ComicBook.com, and Dicebreaker, have also scaled back their gaming coverage in recent years.

On the same day as Polygon's sale, Giant Bomb faced a strategic reset, with Fandom temporarily pausing its live streaming. This simultaneous upheaval underscores the precarious state of gaming media, where financial pressures often lead to difficult decisions.

Factors contributing to this instability include declining ad revenue, the rise of influencer marketing, and the shift towards video content and live streaming, which favor personalities over traditional written journalism. The consolidation of media companies, as seen with Valnet's acquisition strategy, has also led to a homogenization of content, where quantity often trumps quality, raising concerns about the future of in-depth, investigative gaming journalism.

✪ Implications and Future Outlook

The sale of Polygon to Valnet and the subsequent layoffs mark a significant moment for gaming journalism. While Valnet has stated its intention to maintain Polygon's archives and continue operating the site, the loss of over 20 staff members, including key editorial figures, raises questions about the site's ability to maintain its high standards of reporting and analysis. The shift to Valnet's model, which focuses on high-volume content production, may signal a move towards prioritizing clickbait over substantive journalism, as feared by the union and community.

For the gaming community, these events serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting quality journalism. Subscribing to publications, engaging with their content, and advocating for fair labor practices can help sustain the industry and ensure that diverse, insightful voices continue to be heard. As the gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, the role of dedicated journalism becomes increasingly crucial, and the events at Polygon highlight the need for a sustainable model that values both creativity and integrity.

In conclusion, the layoffs at Polygon in early May 2025 reflect broader challenges in gaming media, with significant implications for the future of the site and the industry as a whole. While the full impact of these changes is yet to be seen, they underscore the ongoing struggle to balance financial viability with journalistic excellence in an ever-changing digital landscape.