Gaming news website Video Games Chronicle has announced the launch of a Patreon to help fund it. First formed in 2019, VGC’s staff includes veterans from multiple UK publications, and supporters can expect two new monthly podcasts, a newsletter, a Discord server, and special commenting privileges on the site, depending on the Patreon tier they choose.
“It’s no secret that recently it’s been a difficult time for journalism, especially around video games,” VGC editor-in-chief Andy Robinson explained. “Site closures and job losses have become all too common fixtures in headlines, while those who remain have been increasingly pressured to focus more on keeping the lights on, and less on creating the content readers actually want to see. As an entirely independent publication, VGC has felt these market pressures more than most.”
Robinson added that even with VGC’s high and consistently growing audience numbers, the volatile advertising climate has made funding the site “increasingly challenging” when relying on traditional platforms like Google. The site is aiming to use Patreon to establish a more direct relationship with its audience with exclusive content, while all of its regular work will still remain free for all.
“We’re launching today with a bunch of great content, but we also have loads more planned for the future, and we’re excited about how this new model can help us shape VGC’s future,” Robinson wrote, while also teasing an upcoming VGC book.
The last few years have seen some big changes to the gaming media landscape. Recently, IGN Entertainment purchased Gamer Network’s digital brands–Eurogamer, GamesIndustry.biz, Rock Paper Shotgun, VG247, and Dicebreaker–and there have been several rounds of layoffs at media outlets across the globe. This has led to the rise of Patreon-funded groups as well, with notable examples being several former employees of The Escapist starting Second Wind and the formation of Aftermath by a team of Kotaku veterans. Longrunning video game magazine Game Informer is offering standalone subscriptions, and for $20, subscribers can get 10 issues of the magazine every year in both physical and digital formats.
