Is Kotaku Shutting Down? What is Kotaku?
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Updated Jul 09, 2024
Is Kotaku Shutting Down?
Yes, Kotaku Australia is shutting down. The decision comes as part of a restructuring by Pedestrian Group, the company that holds its license, to focus on its brands. Alongside Kotaku Australia, several other licensed publications including Vice, Gizmodo, and Lifehacker will also cease operations in the country. This restructuring has resulted in the layoff of numerous staff members.
Pedestrian Group CEO Matt Rowley said: "We've made the tough decision to focus on our wholly owned Pedestrian brands where we control the strategy, the content, the product, the sales and the outcome – the entire business. This will have an impact on roles within the group and I appreciate the uncertainty this change creates, so we will be in contact immediately with those people."
Kotaku Australia
Kotaku Australia, along with Lifehacker and Gizmodo, is shutting down as part of a restructuring by Nine’s Pedestrian Group. This decision reflects a broader trend affecting Australian journalism, with significant layoffs and closures across the industry. The closure of Kotaku Australia marks a particularly poignant moment for Australian gaming journalism, leaving a void in the coverage of video games and tech culture in the region.
Kotaku’s Senior Editor Over Shutting Down
Kotaku Senior Editor Alyssa Mercante expressed strong criticism following the closure of Kotaku Australia. In a series of tweets, Mercante voiced solidarity with affected colleagues and criticized the decision as a consequence of financial pressures within Pedestrian Group. She highlighted the impact on staff and expressed frustration at what she viewed as a harsh reality of capitalism. Additionally, she clarified Kotaku Australia's independence from the broader Kotaku brand, rebutting claims to the contrary.
Mercante's comments drew attention for their candid assessment of the media landscape and the challenges faced by journalists today.
What is Kotaku?
Kotaku is a popular gaming website and blog that started in October 2004 as part of the Gawker Media network. It was created to share news, reviews, and stories about video games, targeting mainly young men. Over time, Kotaku expanded to include versions for Australia, Japan, Brazil, and the UK.
The site has changed owners and leaders multiple times. Brian Crecente was instrumental in its early days, followed by Stephen Totilo as editor-in-chief from 2012. Kotaku became well-known for its detailed coverage of gaming industry news and was recognized on lists like CNET's "Blog 100" and PC Magazine's "Top 100 Classic Web Sites."
After Gawker Media was bought by Univision in 2016 and later by Great Hill Partners in 2019, Kotaku faced internal conflicts that led to many staff members leaving, including notable journalists like Cecilia D'Anastasio and Jason Schreier.
Despite these challenges, Kotaku continues to be a major voice in gaming journalism, focusing on reporting, reviews, and discussions about video games and gaming culture.
