The editorial staff of Gamekult announces its departure following the takeover by Rewold
Journalists from the editorial staff of Gamekult announced their departure from the French media specializing in video games, acquired by Reworld, denouncing a context ” hostile “ for the independence of the press.
The current Gamekult is leaving
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that as of December 7, the editorial staff will gradually leave Gamekult”she announced in a tweet. “After considering all the options, this is the only way out for us,” adds the editorial staff, speaking of a “quasi-unanimous decision” and lamenting the “an increasingly hostile economic and media context for the independence of the video game press”.
“We say it again: this is not a failure of the subscription [12 000 abonnés]the situation and our decision depend on other factors”hammered the editorial staff.
Your attention please,
The editorial staff of Gamekult leaves Gamekult. pic.twitter.com/hp4PkGHAXX— Gamekult (@Gamekult) November 17, 2022
It announced by the beginning of December some “big meetings planned” in sector news and a paper on ethics. “On the other hand, we will not be able to ensure the GK Awards”she tweeted again.
A takeover that poses a problem
Since the announcement in June by TF1 of the sale of its digital division, of which Gamekult was a part, to Reworld Media (Auto Plus, Grazia, Science & Vie), the fate of Gamekult has been at the center of questions. Launched in 2000, the specialized site is highly appreciated by its community of readers and subscribers, who identify it as one of the few to investigate the video game industry.
Reworld’s methods aimed at making profitable sites acquired at a discount as quickly as possible have been criticized in the media, with in particular the proliferation of advertisements in the content and the poor management of staff forced to resign or burn out. Set out to conquer video games at the end of 2021 by acquiring Melty (La Crème du Gaming, SuperSoluce, and GameLove), Reworld accelerated at the start of 2021 by buying Eclypsia, a historic esports brand, and JeuVideo-Live.com, more generalist.
Within five years, the group intends to take second place on the French podium on the theme, occupied today by Webedia, with the JeuxVideo.com portal, or Breakflip, owned by the communication agency WSC.
