IGN Joins Growing List of Media Outlets Implementing Staff Layoffs
The gaming and entertainment publisher's union reported that hosts, producers, and editors were among those affected by recent cuts.
Gaming and entertainment publisher IGN has implemented significant staff layoffs, impacting various departments including hosts, producers, and editors. The IGN Creators Guild, representing the affected staff, expressed devastation and anger over the job losses.
In a statement, the union described the day as "awful," noting that the layoffs blindsided members and impacted numerous employees who had dedicated years to the company. The guild voiced concerns that the continuous reduction in staff is eroding core operational functions and altering the identity of the company and its content.
"With each successive layoff, core parts of IGN’s operation continue to be stripped away…How many layoffs will occur before we no longer recognize the company we work for and the content that we make?" the union statement read. The guild acknowledged the broader challenges facing the media industry but questioned how eliminating employees positions the company to overcome them.
Among those reportedly laid off are long-time IGN hosts Seth Macy and Brian Altano. Macy, who served as a Senior Social Commerce Producer and video host, had been with IGN for over eight years. Altano, a video host, producer, and podcaster since 2009, was known for hosting the PlayStation-focused podcast "Beyond."
Bo Moore, senior manager of tech coverage, also confirmed his departure from the company, according to Shanethegamer.com. The precise number of employees affected by this latest round of cuts remains unclear. This follows earlier layoffs at IGN this year that affected a smaller number of employees, as reported by Kotaku.
The media industry, particularly in California, has seen a wave of significant job reductions. Last week, McClatchy experienced substantial layoffs, with some of its newsrooms losing up to 40% of their staff. These cuts affected more than a dozen papers nationwide, impacting journalists, videographers, and photographers. Estimates suggest over 90 journalists across various McClatchy papers were affected.