The video game site backed by Walmart has laid off its editorial team
Restart, a video game news outlet backed by retail giant Walmart, has laid off its entire editorial team. The news was confirmed by multiple staff members, including Editor-in-Chief Brandy Berthelson and News Editor Imran Khan, who announced the decision on the social media platform Bluesky.
Berthelson indicated that the layoffs mark not only the end of Restart but also their departure from games media entirely after two decades in the industry. “After 20 years, helping to build and run multiple sites, and experiencing numerous layoffs, I just don’t have it in me anymore,” they wrote, reflecting on a career spanning multiple editorial roles and outlets.
Restart launched just over six months prior in December 2024 as a joint venture between Walmart and Moonrock, a marketing and entertainment firm. Despite receiving significant corporate backing from one of the world’s largest retailers, the outlet had positioned itself as an independent news source covering the video game industry.
The sudden closure of Restart’s editorial operations represents another casualty in the ongoing wave of layoffs affecting the video game industry. The decision comes as the broader media landscape continues to experience consolidation and restructuring, with numerous outlets either folding or significantly reducing their operations. Berthelson’s departure also highlights the human toll these industry shifts take on experienced journalists and media professionals who have invested decades building publications and maintaining editorial standards.