Gamer Network: A History of Growth and Transition
The landscape of gaming journalism has been significantly shaped by the evolution of Gamer Network. From its humble beginnings as a niche enthusiast site to becoming a global network of editorial brands, the company's journey reflects the broader shifts in the digital media industry, marked by rapid expansion, corporate acquisitions, and challenging restructuring.
The Early Years and the Birth of Eurogamer
Gamer Network began its journey in 1999, originally founded as the Eurogamer Network by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. The company's foundation was built around its flagship website, Eurogamer, which officially launched on September 4, 1999. For several years, the brothers steered the company's growth, though Nick Loman eventually departed the business in 2004 to pursue a career in medicine and competitive BBQ.
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International Expansion and Rebranding
As the company sought to broaden its global footprint, it began acquiring established assets in the North American market. In February 2011, Eurogamer Network acquired the American publishing house Hammersuit, which brought the websites IndustryGamers.com and Modojo.com into its portfolio.
To reflect this international scale, the company underwent a major rebranding on March 1, 2013, changing its name to Gamer Network. This shift extended to its other divisions, with Eurogamer Events becoming Gamer Events and Hammersuit adopting the Gamer Network name. During this period of growth, Simon Maxwell was promoted to chief operating officer in October 2013.
The ReedPop Era
A significant turning point occurred on February 26, 2018, when ReedPop—the division of Reed Exhibitions known for organizing pop culture conventions like PAX—acquired Gamer Network. While Rupert Loman initially remained as CEO, Simon Maxwell transitioned into the role of managing director and vice-president for ReedPop's UK operations.
The transition was not without friction. Rupert Loman left the company in February 2020, and by September 2020, ReedPop implemented several rounds of layoffs across various Gamer Network sites. This period of contraction culminated in November 2020, when the remaining staff of USgamer reported that the site would be shuttered by the end of the year.
Acquisition by IGN Entertainment and Recent Challenges
In November 2023, ReedPop announced its intention to sell Gamer Network's editorial brands, though it retained its events business. In May 2024, IGN Entertainment was announced as the buyer. This takeover was immediately followed by editorial layoffs at GamesIndustry.biz and Rock Paper Shotgun.
The acquisition also led to the decline of Dicebreaker. Following the sale, the outlet cancelled its Tabletop Creators Summit at MCM Comic Con and ceased publishing on May 21, 2024. By June 2024, Dicebreaker staff reported that they had been made redundant.
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Further restructuring continued into 2025 and 2026. In the summer of 2025, the majority of VG247's staff were moved to Eurogamer, leaving VG247 with only two full-time writers. By February 2026, additional redundancies hit Eurogamer's editorial staff, including the complete dissolution of its video team.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1999 as Eurogamer Network by Rupert and Nick Loman.
- Flagship Site: Eurogamer, launched September 4, 1999.
- Major Rebrand: Renamed to Gamer Network on March 1, 2013.
- ReedPop Acquisition: Occurred on February 26, 2018.
- IGN Acquisition: Announced in May 2024 (editorial brands only).
- Notable Outlets: Eurogamer, Rock Paper Shotgun, GamesIndustry.biz, VG247, and the now-defunct USgamer and Dicebreaker.
Company Evolution Summary
| Year | Event/Owner | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Loman Brothers | Founding of Eurogamer Network and Eurogamer site. |
| 2011 | Expansion | Acquisition of Hammersuit (IndustryGamers, Modojo). |
| 2013 | Rebranding | Renamed to Gamer Network to reflect international growth. |
| 2018 | ReedPop | Acquisition of the entire network. |
| 2024 | IGN Entertainment | Acquisition of editorial brands; Dicebreaker shuttered. |
| 2025-26 | Restructuring | VG247 staff merge into Eurogamer; video team layoffs. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Gamer Network?
The company was founded in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman, originally under the name Eurogamer Network.
When did the company change its name to Gamer Network?
The rebranding took place on March 1, 2013, to align with the company's international expansion.
What happened to USgamer and Dicebreaker?
USgamer was shuttered by ReedPop at the end of 2020. Dicebreaker ceased publishing in May 2024 following the acquisition by IGN Entertainment, and its staff were made redundant in June 2024.
Which company currently owns the editorial brands?
As of May 2024, IGN Entertainment owns the editorial brands of Gamer Network, although ReedPop retained the events business.
What recent changes occurred at VG247 and Eurogamer?
In the summer of 2025, most VG247 staff were moved to Eurogamer. Subsequently, in February 2026, Eurogamer faced further redundancies, including the loss of its entire video team.