One of the first gaming magazines to hit newsstands, GamePro, is reportedly closing up shop. After over 20 years of producing monthly magazines (and a recent switch to a quarterly format) and over ten years of running its website, the outlet will be ceasing its magazine production and closing down its site completely. While most of the editorial staff is to be laid off, some will apparently be retained in order to help GamePro Media in "refocusing its US business exclusively on its growing custom publishing and solutions business."
The custom publishing mentioned will likely work similarly to the company's E3 publication, which was distributed to show-goers during the convention. The parent company, IDG, will still keep a tie in the gaming publication water by continuing to run PCWorld, and is currently directing GamePro.com visitors to the PC-focused website.
“The U.S. editorial and business staff worked hard to earn a passionate, loyal following for GamePro and I am grateful for their dedication and hard work over the years,” said IDG's Mike Kisseberth. “GamePro, like all businesses, must keep up with industry changes and economic realities. Marci [GamePro President Marci Yamaguchi Hughes] and her colleagues have tremendous expertise in the games arena, and now they will be putting that knowledge to work for the brands that gamers love. Look for GamePro Custom Solutions to be blazing new trails in online branding for the game industry, providing gamers with deeper, richer interactions with the companies and titles they most want to know about.”
Our thoughts are with the current and former GamePro staff. Good luck, everyone.
