Restart, a gaming news website that launched in late 2024 with backing from Walmart, has eliminated its entire editorial staff. Former editor-in-chief Brandy Berthelson announced the layoffs Friday, with multiple other employees confirming they had lost their positions. Berthelson stated she was unable to provide additional details about the cuts due to severance agreements.
The site is operated by Moonrock, a content marketing agency, though Walmart’s involvement was significant to its business model. Restart generated revenue through affiliate links directing readers to purchase games on Walmart’s platform, while the company maintained it operated as an independent publication without editorial interference from its sponsor.
The layoffs raise questions about the site’s future direction. Restart remains accessible online, but it remains unclear whether Walmart and Moonrock intend to continue operating the publication or what form it might take without editorial staff. Neither company has responded to requests for comment regarding their plans.
The closure of Restart’s editorial operations mirrors the recent upheaval in gaming media, following GameStop’s shutdown of Game Informer earlier this year, though that publication has since been revived under new ownership.
Originally reported by Theverge →
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