Part 7/8:
The layoffs at TheGamer are emblematic of a larger trend: media outlets that veer too far into activism risk alienating their core audience. As more companies and websites prioritize social messaging over genuine gaming content, they risk losing relevance—and revenue.
Valnet, owner of TheGamer and other outlets, has been accused of trying to optimize content for SEO and social impact rather than quality. As a result, many of these sites are experiencing decline, with staff cutbacks and diminished credibility. The fallout suggests that pushing identity politics to the forefront may have long-term negative consequences for the industry, consumer trust, and the financial sustainability of these outlets.