TheGamer workers are up in arms over Valnet's new pay-per-session contract, which they fear will lead to a significant pay cut and make it impossible for some to continue working for the site. This move comes as a shock to the team, who have been working hard to turn things around after past struggles, including layoffs in October 2025. The new system, called 'Pay Per Session' (PPS), is a performance-based bonus structure that rewards top-performing articles. However, it's not a straightforward pay-per-click model; instead, it's based on the number of sessions an article gets, which is a more valuable metric than pageviews. The PPS system is a major shift in how workers are compensated, and it's causing a lot of confusion and concern.
One of the main issues is that the details of the new structure are still being communicated, and workers are unsure how it will actually look in practice. Some believe pay could be pro-rated, meaning they might receive some payment even if an article doesn't hit the 1000 sessions threshold. However, the consensus is that the PPS will lead to a drastic pay drop for most workers, and some are already considering leaving the site because they can't afford to work there anymore. This has created a sense of 'soft-layoffs' among the team, with many feeling that the new system is a step too far.
The mood at TheGamer is bleak, with workers struggling to understand how the new payment structure fits with their current expectations around hours and output. The editor-in-chief and senior leaders were not informed about the PPS ahead of its announcement, which has further added to the confusion and frustration. The situation is 'heartbreaking' for the workers, who feel that their hard work and dedication have been undermined by this new system.
This isn't the first time Valnet has faced criticism over its labor practices. The company has been sued by news outlet The Wrap over an article about Valnet CEO Hassan Youssef and allegations regarding the company's labor practices. Additionally, some writers who've worked for Valnet sites have criticized the low pay and high output expectations, though many online outlets in the games industry operate similarly. The PPS system is a major shift in the industry, and it's raising concerns about the future of games journalism, especially in a time of shrinking opportunities for writers.
