Game Informer is an American monthly video game magazine that features articles, news, strategy guides, and reviews of video games and consoles. It was first published in August 1991 by FuncoLand, a video game retailer. GameStop acquired FuncoLand in 2000 and became the magazine's owner and publisher. Game Informer's success was partly due to heavy in-store promotion by GameStop. As of June 2017, it was the fifth most popular magazine in circulation.
August 1991: Game Informer Debuts
Game Informer (GI), an American monthly video game magazine, was first published in August 1991. It started as an in-house newsletter by the video game retailer FuncoLand.
August 1991: Game Informer's Debut as a Bi-Monthly Publication
Initially, Game Informer debuted as a six-page magazine in August 1991, published every two months.
November 1994: Game Informer Transitions to Monthly Publication
In November 1994, Game Informer switched from a bi-monthly to a monthly publication schedule.
August 1996: Game Informer Online Launches
Game Informer Online debuted in August 1996, featuring daily news updates and articles.
November 1999: Leeper and Kato Hired as Web Editors
Justin Leeper and Matthew Kato joined Game Informer Online as full-time web editors in November 1999.
2000: Cathy Preston Joins Game Informer
Cathy Preston became part of the Game Informer production team in 2000.
2000: GameStop Acquires FuncoLand and Game Informer
GameStop bought FuncoLand in 2000, thus acquiring Game Informer. This acquisition led to significant in-store promotion for the magazine, playing a crucial role in its success.
January 2001: Original GameInformer.com Site Shut Down
The original GameInformer.com website was shut down around January 2001, following GameStop's acquisition of the magazine.
2001: Cathy Preston Becomes Publisher
Cathy Preston, who joined the production team in 2000, took on the role of publisher for Game Informer in 2001.
September 2003: GI Online Relaunched
GI Online was resurrected at the same domain name in September 2003, boasting a complete redesign and new features like a review database, frequent news updates, and exclusive subscriber content ("Unlimited").
2004: Matt Miller Joins Game Informer
Matt Miller began his journey with Game Informer in 2004.
June 2006: Game Informer Introduces "Sacred Cow Barbecues"
Issue 158, published in June 2006, marked the debut of Game Informer's "Sacred Cow Barbecues," a feature akin to a celebrity roast, playfully mocking revered video game icons.
July 2008: Second "Sacred Cow Barbecues" Issue
Game Informer featured its second "Sacred Cow Barbecues" in issue 183, released in July 2008.
March 2009: Development Begins on Website Redesign
The online team at Game Informer started developing the code for a major website redesign in March 2009, aiming for a simultaneous release with the magazine's redesign.
October 1, 2009: Redesigned Game Informer Website Goes Live
October 1, 2009, marked the launch of the newly redesigned Game Informer website. The revamp introduced a rebuilt media player, a user activity feed, user reviews, and the magazine's podcast, "The Game Informer Show."
November 2009: Game Informer Launches in Australia
Game Informer expanded its reach with the launch of an Australian edition in November 2009, spearheaded by industry veteran Chris Stead and Citrus Media.
2009: Game Informer Discontinues "Classic GI" Section
In 2009, Game Informer decided to stop featuring the "Classic GI" section, which provided concise reviews of older games, often comparing them to the original review scores if available.
June 2010: Game Informer Australia Reaches 10,000 Subscribers
By June 2010, within its first year, Game Informer Australia achieved the significant milestone of surpassing 10,000 subscribers.
August 18, 2010: Game Informer Australia Becomes Top-Selling Publication
On August 18, 2010, Game Informer Australia achieved the milestone of becoming the highest-selling video game publication in the country.
November 2010: Third "Sacred Cow Barbecues" Issue
November 2010 saw the release of Game Informer issue 211, featuring the third installment of "Sacred Cow Barbecues."
2010: Game Informer Achieves 5th Largest Magazine in the US
In 2010, Game Informer reached a milestone by becoming the 5th largest magazine in the US, surpassing renowned publications like Time, Sports Illustrated, and Playboy with 5 million copies sold.
2011: Game Informer Becomes 3rd Largest Magazine in the US
Game Informer continued its upward trajectory, reaching the 3rd position among the largest magazines in the US in 2011, boasting over 8 million copies in circulation.
2014: Game Informer's Circulation Dips to 4th Place
Game Informer experienced a slight decline in 2014, dropping to 4th place with 6.9 million copies sold.
January 2015: Fourth "Sacred Cow Barbecues" Issue
The fourth "Sacred Cow Barbecues" appeared in issue 261 of Game Informer, published in January 2015.
June 2017: Game Informer's Circulation Success
As of June 2017, Game Informer secured its position as the fifth most popular magazine based on copies circulated.
2017: Game Informer Maintains 4th Place in Circulation
In 2017, Game Informer held onto its 4th place ranking, circulating over 7 million copies.
April 18, 2019: Game Informer Australia Ceases Publication
On April 18, 2019, Game Informer Australia shut down due to cost-cutting initiatives undertaken by its parent company, EB Games Australia.
August 2019: Game Informer Hit with Layoffs
Amid declining financials for GameStop, approximately half of Game Informer's staff faced layoffs in August 2019. This move was part of GameStop's larger effort to cut over 120 jobs and improve its financial standing.
March 2020: Further Layoffs at Game Informer
Game Informer experienced another round of layoffs in March 2020, this time affecting departments other than the editorial team.
June 2020: Andy McNamara Departs Game Informer
In June 2020, Andy McNamara, the founding editor-in-chief, announced his departure from Game Informer to become the Global Director of Integrated Comms for Shooters & Star Wars at Electronic Arts. Andrew Reiner, former senior editor, took over as editor-in-chief.
2020: Cathy Preston Retires; Mary Lugones Takes Over
After 20 years at Game Informer, Cathy Preston retired in 2020, leaving a lasting impact. Mary Lugones succeeded her as the new publisher.
November 4, 2021: Game Informer Launches "Game Informer Gold"
The official website announced the launch of "Game Informer Gold" on November 4, 2021. This limited-edition variant of the magazine, limited to 50 copies, features high-quality paper and an alternate cover.
September 2022: Andrew Reiner Leaves Game Informer; Matt Miller Becomes Editor-in-Chief
Andrew Reiner exited Game Informer in September 2022 to pursue game development. With Reiner's departure, the magazine was left without any original staff. Matt Miller, who joined in 2004, was promoted to editor-in-chief.
March 2024: Game Informer Introduces New Print Subscription Model
In March 2024, Game Informer launched a new print magazine subscription program, independent of GameStop's Power Up Rewards. Available at a special annual price of $19.91, this program offers 10 print issues per year along with digital magazine access.
July 2024: Game Informer's Final Issue
July 2024 marked the publication of Game Informer's 367th and final issue.
August 2, 2024: Game Informer Abruptly Shut Down
GameStop's leadership made the sudden decision to shut down Game Informer on August 2, 2024, laying off the remaining staff. The website was replaced with a "farewell" page, rendering old articles inaccessible.
August 2024: Game Informer Ceases Publication
After 33 years and 367 issues, GameStop discontinued Game Informer in August 2024. The magazine's website content was wiped, leaving a farewell message for visitors.
2024: Game Informer Website Content Removed
Upon the magazine's closure in 2024, all website content was deleted and replaced with a splash page announcing the closure.