Polygon has been acquired by Valnet, resulting in layoffs affecting the editorial team

Polygon, a website renowned for its coverage of video games and pop culture, has been sold to Valnet. This acquisition has led to many long-standing employees either leaving or being laid off. Valnet owns The Gamer and Game Rant, among others.

As covered by Kotaku, several key figures, including co-founder and editor-in-chief Chris Plante and senior writer Michael McWhertor, confirmed their departure from Polygon on social media. Other notable departures include deputy editor Matthew Reynolds, games writer Tyler Colp, and senior reporter Nicole Carpenter.

Despite these departures, deputy editor Maddy Myers and games editor Zoë Hannah continue to work for Polygon, as noted in Kotaku's report. Previously part of the Vox Media portfolio, which includes The Verge, Polygon's new ownership marks a shift in focus for its former parent company.

In a statement, Valnet’s CEO Hassan Youssef expressed excitement over the addition of Polygon, calling it a "world-class gaming brand."

Launched in 2012, Polygon attracted a sizable audience with its in-depth video game features. It currently reaches approximately 6 million users in the United States, based on Comscore data.

Jim Bankoff, CEO of Vox Media, highlighted how this transaction will allow the company to channel efforts and investments into other segments of its media business. "This sale allows us to concentrate on growth in other priority areas, all while Valnet enhances their leadership in gaming information," said Bankoff.