Keleops, a digital publishing company, has acquired Kotaku from G/O Media

Digital publisher Keleops has successfully acquired Kotaku from G/O Media through a cash transaction, with the terms remaining private.

According to Axios, the acquisition will see the current editorial team remain onboard, while new senior positions will be filled.

Jean-Guillaume Kleis, CEO of Keleops, informed the outlet that while there are no immediate plans for change, he hasn't yet had discussions with Kotaku's current editor-in-chief.

"We are excited to bring the Kotaku team into Keleops," Kleis stated. "Kotaku is more than just a brand; it's a community for gamers and a forward-moving cultural space.

"It is an honor to guide its journey as part of our daring vision for Keleops and our continuous expansion in the U.S."

He further commented, "With our prior achievements with Gizmodo as a foundation, we are eager to elevate Kotaku's standing as a premier source for gaming enthusiasts and those intrigued by the industry."

Keleops had previously acquired Gizmodo from G/O Media the prior year.

G/O Media's CEO, Jim Spanfeller, expressed satisfaction in an email to Axios about finding Kotaku a fitting home and conveyed well wishes to the team and Keleops.

In light of the sale, Spanfeller highlighted that G/O Media "is moving towards ceasing operations".

Spanfeller remarked, "Great Hill Partners, predominantly owning G/O Media, determined it was time to move on given their investment strategy."

He mentioned, "There were neither external pressures nor a desperate attempt to exit by selling at any cost; we aimed to secure the best possible results for shareholders and employees amid challenges in digital content."

Univision Communications acquired Kotaku as part of a group of websites after taking over Gawker Media in 2016, forming the Gizmodo Media Group to manage these assets.

In 2019, Gizmodo Media Group was sold to Great Hill Partners and rebranded as G/O Media.

Under G/O Media, Kotaku saw significant changes, including the reported dismissal of its editor-in-chief, Patricia Hernandez, in August 2023, replaced by Jen Glennon shortly thereafter.

Glennon resigned the following March, attributing her departure to a shift in editorial focus by G/O Media that prioritized guides over news coverage.

Glennon expressed in her resignation, "The alteration of Kotaku’s editorial strategy to emphasize guides over news is critically flawed, considering the site’s current structure."

She added, "This strategy contradicts recent traffic figures and neglects the welfare of the remaining writers and editors."

In 2022, employees represented by a union at Kotaku, Gizmodo, and other G/O Media properties engaged in a strike demanding improved wages, parental leave, and healthcare benefits.

An agreement was reached after four days of negotiations.