The Future of Gaming Journalism: Valnet Acquires Polygon
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the gaming industry, Valnet, a company that owns over 27 different brands covering gaming, entertainment, sports, travel, and more, has acquired Polygon, the popular gaming and entertainment site. The acquisition has left many wondering what this means for the future of Polygon and the gaming journalism landscape as a whole.
To get to the bottom of the deal, I spoke with Rony Arzoumanian, Valnet’s head of mergers and acquisitions. According to Arzoumanian, Valnet has been interested in acquiring Polygon for some time, and the company is “bullish” on gaming coverage. In fact, Valnet’s gaming portfolio already includes several other popular gaming sites, including GameRant, TheGamer, Fextralife, DualShockers, Hardcore Gamer, and OpenCritic.
So, what does this mean for Polygon? Arzoumanian emphasized that Valnet wants to ensure that Polygon has the “deepest” coverage of the gaming space, and the company is investing in the site’s operations to make that happen. Around 10 existing Polygon staffers are moving over to the site’s new owner, with Matt Patches, previously Polygon’s executive editor, heading things up for now.
But what about the rest of the team? Arzoumanian said that Valnet is “rebuilding” the team and recruiting “triple-A” writers and editors for Polygon. While he didn’t provide specifics on the balance of full-time hires and contractors, he did emphasize that Valnet will “do it right.” As for whether Polygon will hire another editor-in-chief, Arzoumanian deferred, saying that the focus is currently on ensuring continuity following the close of the deal.
The acquisition has also raised concerns about the treatment of Polygon’s staff. Former editor-in-chief Chris Plante and many other staff members left or were laid off as a result of the deal. Chris Grant, Vox Media’s group publisher of The Verge and formerly Polygon, publicly criticized Valnet, saying that the company “literally refused to meet with me or answer a single question of mine throughout this process.”
Arzoumanian declined to comment on Grant’s post, saying that Valnet “predominantly dealt” with Jim Bankoff, Vox Media’s CEO. However, he did emphasize that Valnet plans to keep Polygon’s archives available, which is a relief for fans of the site.
Another concern is the potential for AI-generated stories on Polygon. Arzoumanian was quick to reassure that Valnet has no plans to introduce AI-generated stories onto the site, which is a welcome relief.
Finally, I asked Arzoumanian about a recent report from TheWrap, which included an allegation from one former contributor about “almost sweatshop-level” working conditions at a Valnet publication. Arzoumanian pointed me to Valnet’s press release about its recent defamation lawsuit filed against TheWrap, but didn’t provide further comment.
So, what can we expect from Polygon in the future? According to Arzoumanian, Valnet wants to maintain course and keep investing in the brand. He expects things to be relatively unchanged a year from now, with a focus on building Polygon “for the next five to ten years.”
In conclusion, the acquisition of Polygon by Valnet is a significant development in the gaming journalism landscape. While there are certainly concerns about the treatment of Polygon’s staff and the potential for AI-generated stories, it’s clear that Valnet is committed to investing in the site and building its team. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Polygon and Valnet navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.