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- What unfolded at the Walmart-backed gaming outlet
- Responses, silence, and unanswered questions
- How Restart positioned itself and handled commercial links
- Walmart’s broader moves in gaming and community outreach
- Industry headwinds facing independent gaming journalism
- Recent parallels and sector performance
- What the layoffs mean for newsroom talent and coverage
- Signals for brands and readers
The short life of Restart.run, a gaming news site launched last December with financial backing from Walmart, came to a sudden halt this week when the publication’s editorial staff were dismissed. The move has reignited debate about corporate-funded media in gaming and left several veteran journalists scrambling for their next steps.
What unfolded at the Walmart-backed gaming outlet
Restart.run opened late last year and marketed itself as an independent source for game reviews, previews, and launch coverage. The project was created by Moonrock, a content and strategy firm, and its launch materials made clear Walmart provided seed funding.
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On Friday, former editor-in-chief Brandy Berthelson announced on Bluesky that the site’s entire editorial roster had been let go. Other newsroom members echoed the news on social platforms.
Staff reported laid off
- Brandy Berthelson — editor-in-chief, who posted about leaving games media after two decades.
- Jesse Vitelli — editor.
- Imran Khan — editor.
- Myles Obenza — deals writer.
The exact headcount impacted is unclear. Restart’s staff page lists roughly 10 names, but that appears to mix full-timers with freelancers and contributors.
Responses, silence, and unanswered questions
Neither Walmart nor Moonrock replied to requests for comment by press time. Berthelson declined further interviews but pointed readers to recent coverage by the worker-owned outlet Aftermath for context.
It is not publicly known who authorized the layoffs or whether the decision came from Walmart, Moonrock, or both.
How Restart positioned itself and handled commercial links
Restart.run included purchase links to Walmart product pages. Those links used a partner-tracking code.
The site stated that it received no commission from purchases via those links. It also described an “ongoing relationship” with Walmart and insisted editorial choices remained independent.
Restart’s public messaging claimed Walmart did not direct editorial content. The site also said its internal goals did not mirror Walmart’s metrics, and that the newsroom did not know what level of underperformance would trigger funding withdrawal.
Walmart’s broader moves in gaming and community outreach
Walmart has been expanding its gaming-related presence in recent years. Its efforts aimed at community and outreach included experiments and promotions beyond traditional retail.
- Promotional activations on Roblox and other virtual platforms.
- Walmart Realm, a 3D e-commerce experiment.
- Retail tie-ins at major console launches, where the company showcased fast delivery services alongside console sales.
At the time of Restart’s launch, company spokespeople described the initiative as a way to reach gamers directly and build community ties.
Industry headwinds facing independent gaming journalism
Media veterans argue gaming journalism faces structural challenges that go beyond any single outlet.
Chris Kerr, senior editor of news at GameDeveloper.com, told Modern Retail that search engines and AI-driven results are changing traffic patterns. That shift can reduce ad revenue and make it harder for niche publications to attract readers.
Publishers also face competition from platform-native channels. Major game companies now speak directly to fans via social networks, livestreams, and digital showcases.
Additional pressures on the beat
- Influencer marketing and paid coverage can siphon attention from traditional reviews and reporting.
- Corporate acquisitions often lead to talent churn, not always brand preservation.
- Declining mentorship and fewer stable, well-paid roles can push journalists out of the field.
Recent parallels and sector performance
Other gaming media brands have also seen instability. GameStop paused publication of Game Informer amid layoffs and restructuring in 2024, though it later relaunched the title in 2025.
Last year’s sales figures show a booming consumer market. Research firm Newzoo reported the global games market reached roughly $201.6 billion by the end of 2025.
Still, healthy consumer spending has not translated evenly into sustainable revenue for independent outlets. Brands that once served as intermediaries between publishers and players now contend with direct-to-consumer strategies and shifting ad economics.
What the layoffs mean for newsroom talent and coverage
Staff departures at Restart raise questions about where experienced gaming journalists will land next. Berthelson noted publicly that after two decades of navigating the field and multiple layoffs, she would step away from games media.
Industry observers worry valuable institutional knowledge will be lost if experienced reporters leave the space. That talent loss can erode investigative capacity and reduce coverage depth.
Short-term outcomes to watch
- Whether Restart.run stays online and how its editorial operations change.
- Clarification from Walmart or Moonrock on the future of their investment in gaming content.
- Where affected journalists find new roles, whether in media, PR, or freelance work.
Signals for brands and readers
Corporate sponsorship of content can open new channels for outreach. It can also create reputational and operational risks if funding is withdrawn.
Readers should be aware of declared commercial relationships on news sites. Transparency about links and funding matters for trust.
