Restart, a gaming media website backed by Walmart and operated by content marketing agency Moonrock, has reportedly laid off its editorial staff less than a year after launch.
The news surfaced after Brandy Berthelson, Restart’s former editor-in-chief, posted that the site had let go of its “entire editorial team.” Several other former staffers also shared public posts confirming they had been affected by the cuts.
Restart layoffs hit another corner of games journalism
Restart launched in late 2024 with a pitch that blended games coverage, shopping links, and brand-backed publishing. Its editorial mission page described the site as “powered” by Walmart, while making clear that Moonrock operated the publication.
The site positioned itself as a games media outlet with editorial content, while also directing readers to Walmart product pages through partner tracking links when games were mentioned. According to Restart’s own mission statement, those links did not generate a percentage-based sales commission for the site, though they did connect coverage to Walmart’s retail ecosystem.
Why the Restart gaming website mattered
Restart arrived at a difficult moment for video game journalism. The industry has been hit by closures, layoffs, shrinking freelance budgets, and major ownership changes. Its launch stood out partly because it followed the shutdown and sale activity surrounding well-known games media brands, including Game Informer.
For readers, Restart was another attempt to build a sustainable games site at a time when traditional ad-supported media is under pressure. For journalists, it also raised a familiar question: can editorial independence survive when a publication is closely tied to a major retailer?
Walmart, Moonrock, and the branded media model
The Restart situation puts renewed attention on branded content and commerce-driven publishing. Retailers and agencies are increasingly interested in media projects that can guide buying decisions, especially in categories like gaming hardware, Nintendo Switch games, accessories, and new releases.
That model can work when the editorial boundaries are clear. But it also creates tension. Readers want honest recommendations and reporting. Writers want editorial security and independence. Sponsors want measurable value. When cuts happen this quickly, it becomes harder to argue that the structure offers long-term stability for journalists.
What happens next for Restart?
At the time of writing, Restart’s long-term future remains unclear. The public posts from former staffers indicate that the editorial team has been laid off, but the site itself may still exist in some form depending on Moonrock and Walmart’s plans.
What is clear is that the layoffs add to a grim stretch for gaming media workers. Even as games remain one of the biggest entertainment industries in the world, the outlets covering them continue to face financial pressure, shifting business models, and uncertain backing.
For fans of independent games coverage, the Restart layoffs are another reminder to support the writers, critics, reporters, and editors whose work helps make sense of the industry beyond trailers and store pages.
Tags: #RestartGaming #Walmart #GamingNews #GamesJournalism #MediaLayoffs
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