The gaming site sponsored by Walmart lays off its editorial staff
Restart, a gaming media website that launched in late 2024 with backing from Walmart, has shut down its entire editorial operation through a staff layoff. The announcement came Friday from Brandy Berthelson, the site’s former editor-in-chief, with other team members also confirming their terminations.
The site was operated by Moonrock, a content marketing agency, though it emphasized Walmart’s involvement in its editorial mission. The business model centered on affiliate revenue sharing, with Restart providing purchase links to games on Walmart’s platform using partner tracking codes—creating a direct financial connection between the publication and the retailer.
The complete shutdown reflects the challenges facing retail-backed gaming media ventures. Despite launching less than a year ago, the site could not sustain its operations, raising questions about the viability of affiliate-dependent gaming coverage and Walmart’s long-term commitment to gaming media as a market.