Gaming Site Restart Lays Off Entire Editorial Team

It appears the gaming media landscape has seen another shift, as the recently launched website Restart has reportedly let go of its entire editorial team. This news comes from Brandy Berthelson, the former editor-in-chief, who shared the details via a social media post on Friday. Several other staffers have also confirmed their departures.

Restart, which was launched in late 2024, was notable for its unique sponsorship model. The site was powered by Walmart, as indicated on its editorial mission page, and operated by the content marketing agency Moonrock. The partnership aimed to integrate purchase links to Walmart for games mentioned on the site, though it was stated that this referral system would not provide any commission from sales.

The abrupt layoffs raise questions about the sustainability of sponsored content platforms in the gaming industry. While the exact reasons for the layoffs haven't been officially disclosed by Moonrock or Walmart, such moves often signal a re-evaluation of business strategies or financial performance. For readers who were just getting acquainted with Restart's content, this development is certainly unexpected.

The gaming media space is constantly evolving, with new sites emerging and others facing challenges. The future of Restart, and whether it will continue with a different editorial approach or team, remains to be seen. We'll be keeping an eye on further developments.