IGN’s Latest Layoffs Are a Slap in the Face to Its Audience

I’m beyond tired of writing about the constant layoffs in the gaming industry, especially in gaming media. For the second time this summer, Ziff Davis-owned publication IGN has gone through a round of layoffs, with Brian Altano, Seth Macy, and Bo Moore among those affected. These are people who helped make the site worth following, and now they’re out of a job. According to Aftermath, the cuts affected multiple departments, including four union members and additional staff.

We still don’t have a confirmed explanation as to why either. Union leadership said those affected were remote employees and raised concerns about a push to bring staff back into the office. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ziff Davis falls back on needing to save money or some bullshit like that. IGN already laid off four tech workers in June, shortly after IGN Live, and now it’s at it again.

My team had a huge content day today on IGN, covering the launch of Valve's Steam Frame. So this seems like a good time as any to say that I was affected by today's layoffs.

— Bo Moore (@usebomswisely.bsky.social) 2026-09-14T21:28:56.794Z

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And of all the times to do this, why now? Not that there’s ever a good time, but we’re heading into the busiest stretch of the year, with game after game releasing. Grand Theft Auto VI, potentially one of the biggest games in decades, is also approaching in November. You’d think this would be the time to keep your experienced people around, especially the names and faces your audience shows up for. This is going to be an “all-hands on deck” scenario, and yet they pull this.

Now, maybe I’m a bit biased. Maybe I just like the guy. But serious, I’d love to know what kind of shit you’re smoking to just drop one of the faces that has become synonymous with IGN. When you thought of Brian Altano, you thought of IGN. I just don’t get the logic here.

That’s why this feels like a slap in the face to the people who frequent IGN. They’ve spent years following these personalities, listening to their opinions, and watching their coverage. What exactly do you think happens when you keep getting rid of them? The logo might stay the same, but that doesn’t mean the audience’s connection to the site will.

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I'm so sorry to hear this, Seth. You're a rockstar and brought so much to the IGN team across many departments that most people can't publicly see. You didn't deserve this. I think the world of you and am here if you ever want to chat or if I can be helpful somehow.

— Ryan McCaffrey (@DMC_Ryan) September 14, 2026

Running The Outerhaven, I understand that keeping an outlet going costs money. But I also know the work doesn’t disappear when you lose people. Someone has to pick it up, or it doesn’t get done. That hurts the staff left behind, who’ll get more work piled onto them, the audience who expects them to function like they once did prior to the layoffs, and a gaming journalism scene that keeps losing experienced people, while being populated by people who have grown sour due to their experiences.

No wonder people keep saying gaming journalism as a whole is on the decline and on its way out. When one of the biggest sites in the industry keeps doing this, it’s hard to disagree. I want to push back against that sentiment, but stuff like this makes it harder every damned time.

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