Section 1.1: A Learning Experience for Journalists

This transition presents a learning curve for many staff members. Journalists covering the gaming industry often contend with the stereotype of games being considered lowbrow. My husband, Patrick, has been an avid gamer since childhood and even developed his own game, "Super Snow Fight." While attending the Games Convention in Cologne, we conversed with several reporters and journalists in the indie publishing sector. We learned about the prevailing mindset that has led to layoffs within games journalism, even as market dynamics shift.

Despite the downturn in the gaming sector, the New York Times has managed to thrive, adding 300,000 net digital subscribers in Q4 2023 and achieving $1 billion in digital subscription revenue.

Section 1.2: Navigating the Competitive Landscape

While competitors face layoffs due to decreasing ad revenue and social media engagement, the New York Times has found a way to dodge these setbacks. The chart that sparked this conversation certainly serves as an intriguing hook. But is Matthew correct in labeling the Times as a gaming company? Their current trajectory illustrates how effectively merging news and entertainment can yield positive results. The Times excels at combining news, enjoyment, and gaming to attract and retain users.

However, its success in gaming seems more coincidental than a deliberate strategy. The popularity of Wordle, for example, has provided an unexpected boost. The Times has yet to indicate that it intends to delve deeper into gaming as a means to counteract declines in advertising and print revenue. Furthermore, time spent on games does not necessarily equate to revenue generated. In 2023, the New York Times reported earnings of $2.4 billion, a slight increase from $2.3 billion the previous year, with subscriptions contributing $1.6 billion and advertising bringing in $505 million.

Given the abundance of free news, charging for it poses challenges. The number of digital subscribers focused solely on news has declined by 860,000, or 20.6%.

Final Thoughts

When I shared this development with my husband, he was taken aback. His reaction intensified when I showed him the tweet detailing the Times' games ranking third behind Call of Duty and Monopoly Go! With its gaming portfolio, the New York Times appears to aim to pull users into its ecosystem, seeking innovative ways to engage and monetize them.

"Come for the games, stay for the news," could very well sum up their strategy. In my view, the New York Times, a respected media giant, offers a glimpse into the future of traditional media strategies. Do you also find that games like Wordle overshadow the news in popularity?