The struggling retail chain GameStop laid off over a hundred employees yesterday, both at its Texas corporate headquarters and other offices.
This news comes just a few weeks after GameStop laid off dozens of regional managers, following a grueling year that saw the company trying to turn things around for itself. Their stock has plummeted over the past few years as the retailer continues struggling to stay afloat in a world where digital distribution is dominating game sales.
“As part of the previously announced GameStop Reboot initiative to transform our business for the future and improve our financial performance, we can confirm a workforce reduction was implemented impacting more than 120 corporate staff positions, representing approximately 14% of our total associate base at our company headquarters as well as at some other offices,” a GameStop spokesperson told Kotaku.
The layoffs came as a shock to Game Informer staff. Seven of the popular magazine’s editors announced on Twitter yesterday that they had been laid off, including one who said he was on vacation. For reference, the magazine has 19 full-time editorial staff.
“I am trying to get things right with my people,” editor-in-chief Andy McNamara wrote on Twitter. “I love Game Informer, its people and its readers more than any corporation could, and I will address all the issues when I can, but for now I need to focus on my GI family.”
Our hearts go out to all those affected by this event. GameStop and GameInformer will continue functioning, though their next course of action is unclear. We hope those laid off can find a good job elsewhere.