History of Game Informer in Timeline

Game Informer is an American monthly video game magazine that features articles, news, strategies, and reviews about video games and consoles. Originating as an in-house newsletter for FuncoLand in August 1991, it was later acquired by GameStop in 2000 following their purchase of FuncoLand. This acquisition led to significant in-store promotion, contributing to the magazine's widespread success. By June 2017, Game Informer had become the fifth-most popular magazine based on circulation numbers.

August 1991: Game Informer Debuts

Game Informer debuted in August 1991 with David R. Pomijie, owner of FuncoLand, launching the magazine as a better way to spend advertising dollars. Elizabeth Olson was the first editor-in-chief (EIC), with Andy McNamara as her editorial assistant.

1993: Olson and McNamara Become Co-Editors-in-Chief

In 1993, Elizabeth Olson and Andy McNamara jointly became co-editors-in-chief of Game Informer.

November 1994: Magazine's Monthly Release

In November 1994, Game Informer began to be released monthly, transitioning from a bi-monthly publication.

August 1996: Game Informer Online Launched

In August 1996, Game Informer Online was originally launched and featured daily news updates as well as articles.

November 1999: Full-Time Web Editors Hired

In November 1999, Justin Leeper and Matthew Kato were hired on as full-time web editors for Game Informer Online.

2000: GameStop Purchases FuncoLand and Game Informer

In 2000, Barnes & Noble acquired and merged several companies, leading to the formation of GameStop Corp., which then purchased both FuncoLand and Game Informer that year.

January 2001: Original GameInformer.com Site Closed

As part of the GameStop purchase of Game Informer, the original GameInformer.com site was closed around January 2001.

2001: Cathy Preston Becomes Publisher

In 2001, Cathy Preston became the publisher of Game Informer after working as part of the production team since 2000, making the publication an integral part of GameStop's customer loyalty program, Power Up Rewards.

September 2003: GI Online Revived

GI Online was revived in September 2003, at the same domain name, with a full redesign and many additional features, such as a review database, frequent news updates, and exclusive "Unlimited" content for subscribers.

June 2006: First Sacred Cow Barbecues

The first Sacred Cow Barbecues featured in issue 158 (June 2006) of Game Informer, styled as a celebrity roast meant to "knock some of gaming's most revered icons off their high and mighty pedestals".

July 2008: Sacred Cow Barbecues in Issue 183

Sacred Cow Barbecues featured in issue 183 (July 2008) of Game Informer. These articles are considered controversial among gamers who are not amused by their favorite games being mocked.

March 2009: Online Staff Begins Website Redesign

In March 2009, the online staff began creating the code for what would be the latest redesign to date, intending to release it in conjunction with the magazine's own redesign.

October 1, 2009: Newly Redesigned Website Goes Live

On October 1, 2009, the newly redesigned Game Informer website went live, with a welcome message from Editor-In-Chief Andy McNamara. New features were introduced, including a rebuilt media player, a feed highlighting user activity, and the ability to create user reviews. The magazine's podcast, The Game Informer Show, was also launched.

November 2009: Game Informer Launched in Australia

In November 2009, Game Informer was launched in Australia by Chris Stead and publisher Citrus Media.

2009: Discontinuation of "Classic GI" Section

In 2009, Game Informer discontinued the magazine's "Classic GI" section, which provided brief reviews of older games, months before the redesign of the magazine.

June 2010: Passes 10,000 Subscribers

By June 2010, Game Informer Australia had become the first local games publication to pass 10,000 subscribers.

August 18, 2010: Becomes Australia's Biggest-Selling Video Games Publication

By August 18, 2010, Game Informer Australia had become Australia's biggest-selling video games publication.

November 2010: Sacred Cow Barbecues in Issue 211

Sacred Cow Barbecues featured in issue 211 (November 2010) of Game Informer. These articles are considered controversial among gamers who are not amused by their favorite games being mocked.

2010: Berghammer at EGM Media Group

In 2010, Billy Berghammer, who managed GI Online, was the editor-in-chief at EGM Media Group.

2010: Game Informer Becomes 5th Largest Magazine in the US

In 2010, Game Informer became the 5th largest magazine in the US, with 5 million copies sold, surpassing publications like Time, Sports Illustrated, and Playboy.

2011: Game Informer Reaches 3rd Largest Magazine in the US

By 2011, Game Informer had become the 3rd largest magazine in the US, topping 8 million copies circulated.

2014: Game Informer Falls to 4th Place

In 2014, Game Informer fell to 4th place in magazine rankings with 6.9 million copies sold.

January 2015: Sacred Cow Barbecues in Issue 261

Sacred Cow Barbecues featured in issue 261 (January 2015) of Game Informer. These articles are considered controversial among gamers who are not amused by their favorite games being mocked.

June 2017: Game Informer's Popularity

As of June 2017, Game Informer was the fifth-most popular magazine by copies circulated.

2017: Game Informer Remains in 4th Place

Figures in 2017 placed Game Informer at 4th place with over 7 million copies sold.

April 18, 2019: Game Informer Australia Closed Down

On April 18, 2019, Game Informer Australia was closed down as a result of cost-cutting measures from its publishing company, EB Games Australia, despite increased readership. The failed attempt at EB Games Australia's corporate parent GameStop to find a buyer also contributed to the decision.

August 2019: Game Informer Staff Layoffs

In August 2019, amidst declining financials for GameStop, about half of the current Game Informer staff were laid off as part of a larger cost-cutting effort. This led to other staff members leaving and Ben Hanson starting his own podcast called MinnMax.

2019: McNamara Still Editor-in-Chief

In 2019, Andy McNamara was still the Editor-in-Chief of Game Informer magazine.

March 2020: Another Set of Layoffs at Game Informer

In March 2020, there was another set of layoffs at Game Informer, this time affecting people who worked in other departments but not editors.

June 2020: McNamara Leaves Game Informer

In late June 2020, longtime Editor-in-Chief Andy McNamara announced he was leaving Game Informer to become the Global Director of Integrated Comms for Shooters & Star Wars at Electronic Arts. Former senior editor Andrew Reiner took his place as EIC. McNamara came back to give his final review, The Last of Us Part II.

2020: Preston Retires and Lugones Takes Over

In 2020, Cathy Preston retired from Game Informer after 20 years, and Mary Lugones took over the role as publisher.

November 4, 2021: Game Informer Gold Announced

On November 4, 2021, the official Game Informer website announced that every issue from then on would have a small print run variant known as Game Informer Gold, which uses high quality paper and an alternate cover and is limited to 50 copies.

July 2022: Game Informer Staff Layoffs and Rehiring

In July 2022, three more Game Informer staff were laid off: John Carson, Wesley LeBlanc, and Creative Director Jeff Akervik. Later that month, LeBlanc was rehired after the departure of Jill Grodt.

September 2022: Andrew Reiner Leaves and Matt Miller Promoted

In September 2022, Andrew Reiner left Game Informer to become a game developer. Matt Miller, who has worked at Game Informer since 2004, was promoted to Editor-in-Chief.

March 2024: New Print Magazine Subscription Launched

In March 2024, Game Informer launched a new print magazine subscription, standalone from GameStop's Power Up Rewards, priced at $19.91 annually, offering 10 print issues per year and digital magazine access.

July 2024: Final Issue Published

In July 2024, Game Informer published its 368th and final issue before being shut down by GameStop.

August 2, 2024: GameStop Shuts Down Game Informer

On August 2, 2024, GameStop leadership abruptly shuttered Game Informer publication and laid off its staff. The publication's website was replaced with a static "farewell" page.

August 5, 2024: Farewell Message on Game Informer X Account

On August 5, 2024, a former Game Informer staffer seemingly took the reins of the Game Informer X account one last time to share a proper farewell, which included images of the Game Informer masthead before the account was wiped.

August 2024: GameStop Discontinues Game Informer

In August 2024, GameStop discontinued Game Informer after 33 years of publication and 368 issues, also shutting down its associated website and removing its digital archive.

2024: Website Content Deleted

In 2024, when the magazine folded, the website's content was deleted and replaced with a splash page announcing the closure. Independent archival projects are in the works.

March 2025: Game Informer Acquired by Gunzilla Games

In March 2025, Game Informer announced its acquisition by Gunzilla Games, becoming its own business. The acquisition included a revival of the magazine's website, restoration of the digital archive, and rehiring of laid-off staff.

March 19, 2025: Social Media Teaser

On March 19, 2025, Game Informer shared a short video on its social media channels featuring the publication's farewell message, including code resembling an arcade game at the bottom of the screen with the word "Continue" and ending with the date March 25.

March 25, 2025: Gunzilla Games Purchases Game Informer

On March 25, 2025, Game Informer announced that Gunzilla Games, developers of Off the Grid, had purchased Game Informer and hired back the staff that had been laid off at its initial shutdown. They relaunched the website and digital archive with new articles and reviews for games that released during their initial shutdown.