Gamasutra rebranding as Game Developer
Trade site drops "cringey" moniker in favor of affiliated but discontinued print publication's name as Alissa McAloon becomes new editor-in-chief
Gamasutra today announced that after nearly a quarter century of using a sexual pun as its name, it will rebrand to Game Developer later this week.
In his first post as publisher of the site, former editor-in-chief Kris Graft announced the name change, saying the Gamasutra name stood in contrast to the output of the site.
"Even with Gamasutra's reputation and editorial vision, the name was always cringey, and alienated people outside or adjacent to the game industry," Graft said, adding, "reporting on rampant industry sexism when our brand clings to a late-90s 'LOL SEX' connotation is beyond the pale."
In addition to describing the site's intended audience, the new name brings back that of Game Developer magazine, the Gamasutra sister publication that stopped running in 2013.
In addition to the rebrand, Gamasutra announced new roles for a number of existing staff.
With Graft becoming publisher, Alissa McAloon is the site's new editor-in-chief, while Bryant Francis becomes its senior editor. Chris Kerr is moving from part-time to full-time work on the site as News Editor, and Graft suggested another person could be joining the team soon.
The formal change from Gamastura to Game Developer (located at gamedeveloper.com) is expected to take place this Thursday, August 26, with the outlet having a goal of brining all of the site's content over in the process and ensuring links to Gamasutra will redirect to the new home appropriately.