A group of former Polygon staffers has reunited to launch Rogue, a new independent video game outlet promising authentic, algorithm-free journalism. The seven founders — including Alice Jovanée, Cass Marshall, Jeffrey Parkin, Ryan Gilliam, Clayton Ashley, Pat Gill, and Toussaint Egan — established Rogue after mass layoffs followed Polygon’s acquisition by Valnet in May 2025.
The team describes Rogue as a space “made by humans, for humans,” dedicated to spotlighting both blockbuster and indie games while centering players and developers rather than clicks or algorithms.
A Mission to “Humanize Developers” and Resist Clickbait Culture
In their mission statement, Rogue’s founders spoke candidly about the challenges facing games journalism in 2025. “We’ve all worked for companies that demand big traffic numbers to benefit people at the top,” they wrote. “That pressure drives writers to cater to Google — not readers.”
Instead, Rogue will focus on thoughtful reporting and community-driven coverage. The outlet aims to “humanize developers and their process,” while holding studios accountable and celebrating creativity across the gaming landscape.
By rejecting the “growth forever” mindset that dominates digital media, Rogue positions itself as part of a growing wave of journalist-owned, reader-supported outlets reclaiming independence from corporate influence and AI-driven publishing models.
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Worker-Owned, Ad-Free, and Community-Funded
Unlike most gaming publications, Rogue is completely worker-owned and free from traditional advertising or sponsored content. The outlet will rely on a subscription-based model, offering readers access for as little as $7 a month.
“None of us entered games journalism to get rich,” the team explained. “We just want to keep doing this the right way — for as long as possible.”
While premium tiers will offer podcast bonuses and behind-the-scenes content, most news and guides will remain free. Rogue is also partnering with independent tabletop site Rascal, though both remain fully autonomous.
A New Era for Games Journalism
With Rogue, its founders hope to rebuild trust in games media by prioritizing passion, transparency, and independence over metrics. “Nobody can shut us down or sell us,” they declare — a rallying cry for journalists and players seeking authenticity in an increasingly algorithmic world.
Rogue’s launch marks not just a new chapter for its team but a hopeful sign that reader-supported, human-centered journalism still has a place in the gaming industry.
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