The online game web site Polygon has been offered to click-farm powerhouse Valnet and far of its masthead has been laid off, Kotaku has realized. The sale was subsequently introduced in a press launch. A number of workers members have posted on-line about dropping their jobs or about colleagues now being out of labor.
“I‘m not with Polygon. In case you’re hiring, please contemplate the numerous gifted writers and editors now in the marketplace,” posted Polygon co-founder and EIC Chris Plante. “Each considered one of them deserves a spot in your workers. I gained’t be speaking extra concerning the sale as a result of I wasn’t concerned. Going to hang around with my child. Taking wins the place I can.”
The sale was confirmed in a press launch which didn’t point out the layoffs. The worth of the deal was not disclosed. Sources inform Kotaku that Deputy Editor Maddy Myers and Video games Editor Zoë Hannah are amongst people who stay at Polygon. Govt Editor Chelsea Stark mentioned the layoffs included over 20 workers. Vox Media didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
“I’ll say extra later, however I not have a job,” shared Senior Reporter Nicole Carpenter. “I’m on the lookout for work, as are so a lot of my superb colleagues. I’ve numerous concepts and issues I’d like to jot down. I’m actually in shock.” “I had a good time working at Polygon,” posted Senior Author Michael McWhertor. “Please let me know when you have any cool job openings!”
Based in 2012 underneath Vox Media, the location rapidly established itself as one of many premier shops for unique critiques, reporting, and cultural evaluation on this planet of gaming. Polygon’s protection of video video games, films, TV, comics, and board video games are a few of the greatest round, whereas its forward-looking design sensibility helped elevate the way in which tales have been introduced and informed on-line.
Valnet relies in Montreal and operates Display Rant, Recreation Rant, Comedian Ebook Assets, and different mass aggregators. The corporate is run by Hassan Youssef, who obtained his begin in digital media with on-line porn web sites. “The addition of Polygon not solely strengthens our editorial muscle but additionally amplifies our capability to ship unmatched worth to each audiences and advertisers,” Youssef mentioned in a press launch right this moment.
In a report earlier this 12 months by TheWrap, many former contributors accused Valnet’s present media holdings of being exploitative content material mills. “In journalism, there are actually dangerous jobs. After which there’s a place like Valnet,” a former Collider contributor informed TheWrap. “[It’s] one of many worst locations that I’ve ever labored and might be one of many worst journalism publications I’ve ever seen.”
Valnet responded to the investigation by suing TheWrap for libel claiming the reporting was stuffed with errors and had brought about the corporate’s founder “super emotional misery, affecting (amongst different issues) his temper, temperament and his capability to sleep.”
The Vox Media Union blasted the sale and layoffs which occurred because it bargains over its subsequent contract. “Arguably much more demoralizing is Vox Media’s resolution to promote a lauded video games web site to an organization recognized for alleged exploitative circumstances and for devaluing rigorous journalism in favor of churning out content material,” it wrote in an announcement. “Vox Media’s lack of respect for Polygon’s repute in video games media, the laborious work and keenness of its workers, and the strong group of avid gamers and followers who assist it couldn’t be clearer.”
It continued, “Shedding Polygon to such an organization is not only a loss for Vox Media, however for our business and web tradition as an entire. From a sustainability perspective, it makes little monetary or long-term sense, and speaks to a scarcity of care and consideration for this firm and its workers.”
Replace 5/1/2025 5:06 p.m. ET: Vox SVP Chris Grant, who was Polygon’s founding Editor-in-Chief, shared perception into the deal and is clear frustration with it on Bluesky. “14 years in the past I pitched what would turn into Polygon to a startup known as Sports activities Blogs Inc on the unfurnished third ground of a DC townhome,” he wrote. “I held a laptop computer on my knees and went via a deck. As we speak that very same firm—now known as Vox Media—offered Polygon to Valnet.”
He continued, “Their press launch proudly calls Polygon a ‘premium gaming publication’ however Valnet actually refused to satisfy with me or reply a single query of mine all through this course of. They have been wildly incurious about how a gaming publication even turns into ‘premium.’ I actually, actually (!) hope that the remaining Polygon crew will get an opportunity to proceed the work all of us cared about a lot! However in some way that is the tip of my journey with the factor I created.”
“My most heartfelt due to the complete crew, I’m so sorry issues ended this manner.”
Replace 5/1/2025 12:19 p.m. ET: Added feedback from the official press launch.
Replace 5/1/2025 4:13 p.m. ET: Added an announcement from the Vox union.
Replace 5/1/2025 4:50 p.m. ET: Added point out of Valnet’s lawsuit.
.
