End of an Era: Polygon Acquired by Valnet, Faces Layoffs

The gaming world has been hit with surprising news: Vox Media has sold its esteemed video game website, Polygon, to Valnet, a company known for its extensive network of content-heavy websites like Game Rant, OpenCritic, Android Police, and Comic Book Resources. This acquisition comes at a significant cost, with Polygon experiencing immediate and substantial layoffs that have impacted veteran journalists, including co-founder and editor-in-chief Chris Plante and Senior Writer Michael McWhertor.

The suddenness of these job cuts is starkly illustrated by the experience of Polygon Senior Reporter Nicole Carpenter, who published a story earlier in the day before sharing the news of her layoff just hours later.

I'll say more later, but I no longer have a job. I'm looking for work, as are *so* many of my amazing colleagues. I have lots of ideas and things I'd like to write. I'm really in shock.

— Nicole Carpenter (@nicolecarpenter.bsky.social) 2025-05-01T15:29:01.360Z

This sentiment of shock and disappointment is echoed across social media by other departing Polygon staff members.

“Along with just about everyone else at Polygon, I am now out of a job, ending over a decade at Vox Media for me,” shared Curation Editor Pete Volk. “Working at Polygon was a wonderful experience, and I’m proud of the work we did there.”

Along with just about everyone else at Polygon, I am now out of a job, ending over a decade at Vox Media for me. Working at Polygon was a wonderful experience, and I'm proud of the work we did there. I will be looking for work, as well as starting my own project(s) on the side. Stay tuned!

— Pete Volk (@petevolk.bsky.social) 2025-05-01T15:31:55.880Z

Entertainment Reporter Petrana Radulovic expressed similar disbelief, writing, “I was just thinking earlier this week, ‘Man, I love my job and I’m so excited to jump into summer blockbuster season!’ And now i dont have my job…”

Special Projects Editor Matt Leone also confirmed his departure, stating, “Apparently I’m out of a job… I really can’t complain too much—Polygon was a great place to work for the last decade-plus—but if anyone’s hiring, please reach out!”

Polygon’s journey began in 2012 with a significant investment from Vox Media, which poached leading journalists from established gaming blogs like Kotaku, Joystiq, and The Escapist. Initially a gaming section within Vox.com, Polygon soon launched its own domain, accompanied by ambitious video productions that highlighted the team’s vision for in-depth video game journalism.

Over the past decade, Polygon has cultivated a reputation as a well-respected source for news, reviews, and insightful commentary within the gaming and entertainment industries. Its work has been frequently cited by other reputable publications, including Ars Technica.

Brian Crecente, a co-founder of Polygon, expressed his dismay on social media, stating he was “just completely sickened by this news. Mostly for those so suddenly and deeply impacted, but also for the dwindling number of publications seriously covering video games.”

Valnet, the new owner of Polygon, operates a vast network of internet content brands, collectively amassing over 260 million page views. Founded by Hassan Youssef, Valnet has faced scrutiny regarding its compensation practices for writers. Reports from outlets like The Wrap and Aftermath have cited claims from numerous Valnet writers alleging low pay for extensive articles. However, Valnet has vehemently defended its working conditions, even filing a lawsuit against The Wrap, asserting its commitment to “high-quality journalism and of talented writers and editors.”

Despite the circumstances, Vox Media co-founder, chair, and CEO Jim Bankoff acknowledged Polygon’s significant contributions, stating, “We’re proud to have built Polygon into the gaming authority for both experts and casual fans alike, a publication that has informed and delighted tens of millions of gaming enthusiasts since its founding at Vox Media more than a decade ago.”

The acquisition marks a significant shift for Polygon and raises questions about the future direction of the website under Valnet’s ownership. The immediate layoffs of experienced journalists signal a potential change in the site’s editorial approach and the type of content it will produce moving forward. The gaming community will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how this respected voice evolves in its new chapter.