This year has seen a lot of upheaval within the video games industry. This is not just on the dev side of things but there have been a lot of hits to numerous games media sites. Gamespot and Giant Bomb were hit with a wave of layoffs. The Washington Post shut down its Gaming section Launcher. Now, it has been revealed that Waypoint, VICE’s gaming publication will be shut down on June 2, 2023.
You might have already heard, but VICE is shutting down Waypoint. The crew will be around until June 2nd to record a few podcasts and stream a few streams and find a few five-star runtimes, but soon, the Waypoint project is over. You were the best audience we could’ve asked for.
— Waypoint (@waypoint) April 27, 2023
Waypoint launched back in 2016 as an evolution of VICE’s gaming section. They recently launched a premium subscription offering called Waypoint+. Waypoint says that they are looking at what they can do for subscribers regarding their subscriptions and want to and intend to do what’s right by everyone to the best of their abilities. Fans may want to look out for a special bonus episode that they’ll record as a thank you. Waypoint also noted that all final podcasts from them will be available on the main feed so everyone can hear it.
We might record a tiny bonus episode for Waypoint+ subscribers as a thank you, but broadly speaking, expect all of the final podcasts from us to arrive in the main feed, so everyone can hear it.
— Waypoint (@waypoint) April 28, 2023
The news was first revealed by Senior Writer Patrick Klepek. Since the word got out, the team behind Waypoint all shared a message about its shutdown.
I have never been more proud to have been associated with a website, or a group of people, than I have since @austin_walker called me up so many years ago, and asked if I’d start this project, what we would eventually call Waypoint, with him. It’s my proudest achievement.
— Patrick Klepek
(@patrickklepek) April 27, 2023
Waypoint+ was a godsend, and to all the fans of Waypoint that showed up on day one, know that your contributions, in spirit and money, were a huge reason we weren’t laid off sooner. You, alongside my talented colleagues now and over the years, made waking up every day a joy.
— Patrick Klepek
waypoint was the website that made me want to write, full stop. i have never said that i wanted to do games media. i have always said that i wanted to write things i was proud of.
i think that i got to do some of that at waypoint, and i guess that’s all i can ask.
— the gyarados of hot women (@RenOrRaven) April 27, 2023
I won’t be able to reply to every message on here tonight as I have planned a busy evening of numbly eating Pirate’s Booty and watching sports.
— Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) April 27, 2023
Now, goodnight and joy be with you all.
— Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) April 27, 2023
I aimed for this job because I felt strongly about the work that Waypoint was doing when they launched,it was the type of work I could be proud of making every day, with people I wasn’t used to seeing front and center at the time
— OC (original cado) DO NOT STEAL (@a_cado_appears) April 27, 2023
I guess I had a few words, but really there isn’t enough I could say to truly express my gratitude to my colleagues past and present, and my deepest sympathies to everyone who was laid off at vice today.
— OC (original cado) DO NOT STEAL (@a_cado_appears) April 27, 2023
UPDATE 5/2/2023
More information has been revealed that may explain why Waypoint was shut down. It’s being reported that VICE is preparing to file for bankruptcy. This is according to two people with knowledge of its operations. VICE has been looking for a buyer. More than five companies have expressed interest in acquiring VICE but the chances of that are growing slim.
Fortress Investment Group, VICE’s largest debtholder could end up controlling the company. VICE would continue to run normally and then run an auction to sell the company over a 45-day period with Fortress as the most likely acquirer. Fortress holds senior debt, which means they would get paid out first in the event of a sale.
“Vice Media Group has been engaged in a comprehensive evaluation of strategic alternatives and planning,” Vice said in a statement on Monday. “The company, its board and stakeholders continue to be focused on finding the best path for the company.”
The filing could come in the coming weeks, according to three people familiar with the matter.
