Vertical Slice Games Journalism Outlet Launches [Confirmed]

Game Developer veteran Chris Kerr has officially launched Vertical Slice, an independent, reader-funded gaming publication established in early 2026 to deliver aggressive investigative reporting on video game industry labor issues, corporate executive accountability, and studio workplace conditions without corporate advertising bias. According to verified reports from GamesIndustry.biz, Kerr departed his long-standing post at Game Developer to craft an ad-free platform sustained entirely by subscription pledges. The editorial mandate focuses on scrutinizing publisher executive suites, documenting widespread industry layoffs, and empowering developers who frequently face non-disclosure agreements during turbulent restructuring cycles. As labor controversies shake multi-studio roadmaps—similar to structural pivots tracked after the [Epic Games Disney Game Delayed: AI-First Shift [Confirmed]](/news/epic-games-disney-ai-first-delay)—Vertical Slice intends to hold triple-A publishers accountable to their creators. Kerr emphasized that traditional advertising models create deep structural conflicts of interest when publications attempt to investigate major commercial partners. By adopting a transparent patron model, the publication protects insider sources, publishes verified whistleblower testimonies, and documents systemic labor practices across global development studios. The initiative marks a significant turning point in independent gaming journalism, offering unflinching workplace coverage as the wider market navigates mass consolidation and rapid operational realignments.