We recently reported on the news that Indie Gaming Magazine will now be charging $50 for a review. Since then IGM website Editor-in-Chief, Tom Christiansen, has handed in his resignation. Christiansen is only the Editor-in-Chief of the website, not to be mistaken with Chris Newton, the owner and Editor-in-Chief of both the website and physical magazine.
Announced Via Reddit, Christiansen stated his reasons for leaving the website and his refusal to accept any payment related to the reviews. Since the announcement of the sites new review, “sponsorship“, as he himself puts it, “over half of my writing team has already departed IGM in the wake of recent events“. The new review system has ruffled some feathers in both the games development and journalism community, including ex Editor-in-Chief of IGM, Chris Priestman.
Christiansen ends by stating:
“As for me, I’ve submitted my 2 weeks notice to Chris Newton, and concluding that time period I will be no longer affiliated with The Indie Game Magazine”
These recent developments must be a hard toll on the writing team for IGM, especially with their ethics being put under such heavy scrutiny. Thankfully Christiansen points out many “have been picked up by other publications already“.
We here at VGU wish them the best in the future and hope they all land on their feet. We don’t agree with IGM’s new review policy and hope they reconsider the changes.
What do you think? Do you think the Christiansen is right to leave, or do you support IGM trying to pay their writers through these means? Let us know in the comments.