Escapist and other gaming sites cut staff as owner pivots to AI

Clickout Media, a group that buys up gaming sites and then forces them to host unmarked advertorial content for gambling sites and casinos, is said to be “pivot[ing] to AI.” Insider Gaming reports the owner of The Escapist, Adventure Gamers and Esports Insider will be cutting large numbers of staff and maintaining only a skeleton crew of “AI Editors.” Staff responses have been immediate and personal.

“Sad to say that my role at The Escapist is up for redundancy,” wrote contributing editor Lloyd Coombes on BlueSky, adding on LinkedIn, “that means a lot of things that I’m still not quite getting my head around.” “That’s me and my team gone from VideoGamer,” said Cat Bussell.

Those affected have reportedly been required to sign NDAs in order to receive their severance, so the total number of job losses is unclear.

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