IGN Hit With Layoffs, Will Close 1UP, UGO, And GameSpy

IGN has reportedly been hit with massive layoffs. As a result, the company will shut down several of its video game-related websites.

The layoffs come shortly after Ziff Davis Media/J2 Global acquired IGN from News Corp earlier this month. As a result of the company’s restructuring, 1UP, UGO, and GameSpy will close down. According to Polygon, some of the folks who worked on these websites will be moved onto other projects.

Ziff Davis CEO Vivek Shah explained in a recent memo:

“It’s also important for you to know that we are absolutely confident that we now have the best structure and team to successfully move the company forward and that there are no further planned reductions.

“The changes we made today are designed to allow us to Simplify and Focus. Our goal is to do fewer things and to do them exceptionally well. In that vein, we want to direct all of our energy and work behind our two flagship brands: ‘IGN’ and ‘AskMen.’ They are both category killers and share a vision of a multi-screen (PCs, tablets, smartphones, TV) and multi-format (text, photos and video) world”

The Escapist reports that the layoffs were announced yesterday. As a result, IGN will shut down the aforementioned websites in the coming days. Ziff Davis previously owned the company prior to selling it in 2009.

In an article posted to IGN, Casey Lynch explained that operating all of the websites “wasn’t feasible” since they all focus strictly on video game content. He also pointed the finger at the current “state of the market and the economy” for the layoffs.

Lynch added:

” It says something about our business, a few things actually. It reminds us that this is indeed a business, and not just a fun past-time that kids tumble into an office to type about. Real people lost jobs today, and real people like you won’t have sites like ‘1UP’ and ‘GameSpy’ to enjoy any longer.”

What do you think about the recent layoffs at IGN?