Pocket Tactics decimated by Network N layoffs, PCGamesN also targeted

Video game media continues to be subjected to death by a thousand cuts by corporate owners.

Pocket Tactics decimated by Network N layoffs, PCGamesN also targeted
Image via Pocket Tactics

A number of writers at PCGamesN and Pocket Tactics have been laid off or placed at risk of redundancy by Network N, the owner of both outlets. 

It's the latest in a sequence of unrelenting game media layoffs that have decimated corporate-owned sites such as IGN, The Gamer, and Restart. 

PCGamesN news editor Lauren Bergin confirmed their position is "up for redundancy" in a post on LinkedIn. "I'm incredibly proud of what the team has achieved in the past few months, and genuinely believe that we've put out some of the best content in the site's history," they said. 

Pocket Tactics appears to have been placed on life support by Network N. Editor Ruby Spiers-Unwin confirmed they have been made redundant after six years leading the outlet. Deputy editor Kayleigh Partleton said they are now also at risk of losing their job.

Guides editor Tilly Lawton said the "redundancy wave' has come for her too, while staff writers Sam Comrie, Daz Skubich, Connor Christie, Holly Alice all shared similarly bleak posts on LinkedIn. Meanwhile, Pocket Tactics e-commerce editor Adam Randall—still listed on the publication's staff page—was laid off five month ago. 

In fact, all but one of those staffers listed on Pocket Tactics' 'Meet the team' page have reportedly been placed on the redundancy list.

In the UK, employers must initiate a redundancy consultation with employees before they are dismissed (unless those workers are employed under a fixed-term contract).

Vertical Slice has approached Network N for comment.

Great! You’ve successfully signed up.

Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.

You've successfully subscribed to Vertical Slice.

Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.

Success! Your billing info has been updated.

Your billing was not updated.