VGC Starts Patreon To Deal With “A Difficult Time For Journalism”
Gaming news website Video Games Chronicle has announced the launch of a Patreon to help fund it. First formed in 2019, VGC’s staff includes veterans from multiple UK publications, and supporters can expect two new monthly podcasts, a newsletter, a Discord server, and special commenting privileges on the site, depending on the Patreon tier they choose.
“It’s no secret that recently it’s been a difficult time for journalism, especially around video games,” VGC editor-in-chief Andy Robinson explained. “Site closures and job losses have become all too common fixtures in headlines, while those who remain have been increasingly pressured to focus more on keeping the lights on, and less on creating the content readers actually want to see. As an entirely independent publication, VGC has felt these market pressures more than most.”
Robinson added that even with VGC’s high and consistently growing audience numbers, the volatile advertising climate has made funding the site “increasingly challenging” when relying on traditional platforms like Google. The site is aiming to use Patreon to establish a more direct relationship with its audience with exclusive content, while all of its regular work will still remain free for all.