Giant Bomb Embraces Independence

After a temporary halt in activities, Giant Bomb is back on track.

Earlier this month, prospects were grim for the gaming platform due to suspicions of editorial manipulation by its former overseer, Fandom. However, there’s uplifting news: Giant Bomb has declared its autonomy as an employee-owned organization.

“Giant Bomb is alive! Fandom has transferred ownership to us,” they announced via Bluesky. In an online update regarding this shift, Giant Bomb stated it’s “no longer catering to algorithms or executives,” and aims “to focus on what has always made Giant Bomb unique: the individuals featured in our productions and our ardent community.”

A Fresh Era Begins with New Subscription Plans

The platform has rolled out a subscription initiative, promising that proceeds will be invested in enhancing Giant Bomb and compensating the dedicated team showcased in their weekly broadcasts.

With the dynamic evolution of gaming media since Giant Bomb’s inception in 2008, their new strategy aims to keep pace with current trends. The goal is for audiences to access their offerings without financial barriers, hence the majority of content remains free. It’s similar to Fortnite’s model, a hit among the younger demographic. A special Dan Ryckert in-game character is on the horizon!

Details on Subscription Tiers

The service presents two options: $9.99 monthly or $99.99 annually. Subscribing now provides benefits like ad-free podcast RSS feeds and exclusive Discord spaces (featuring behind-the-scenes insights, open forums, etc.). Starting with a straightforward launch, they plan to adapt and expand progressively. The transformation came together rapidly, leaving some webpage texts outdated. If questions arise, they encourage reaching out via social media for clarification. Note that the Discord sign-up might take a bit longer, so patience is appreciated.

This development arrives as a welcome change following the unsettling news from May 1, when Giant Bomb’s operations paused alongside the sale of Polygon (owned by Vox Media) to Valnet. In unrelated legal matters, TheWrap is currently involved in a lawsuit concerning problematic work conditions analogous to a sweatshop.