Digital Foundry gains independence

Digital Foundry buys back its shares from Ziff Davis and IGN, signaling full independence backed by Rupert Loman.

Digital Foundry Gains Independence From IGN

Digital Foundry, the long running frame rate specialists, began as a 2004 venture and later joined Eurogamer in 2007. It moved through the Gamer Network stable before Eurogamer was bought by IGN in 2024. Today the team announced they had bought their shares back with help from Rupert Loman, founder of Gamer Network, making Digital Foundry fully independent for the first time since the Eurogamer era. In a video accompanying the announcement, the team said they now answer to nobody but the audience.

The move comes as the wider games media sector wrestles with layoffs, consolidation and site closures. Supporters say independence can help guard editorial integrity and align coverage with reader interests, while critics warn that long term funding and advertiser relationships could influence coverage if the business side remains unsettled.

This shift mirrors a broader trend where niche outlets seek direct ownership to protect editorial boundaries in an era of corporate consolidation. If Digital Foundry maintains transparent funding and strong safeguards, the independence could boost reader trust and set a model for technical journalism that values expertise over journalistic convenience.

However, independence is not a financial magic wand. The business of running a small, highly specialized outlet requires predictable revenue and clear governance to withstand market pressure. Without a sustainable plan, shifts in funding could dilute scrutiny or spark new questions about potential conflicts of interest. The real test will be how Digital Foundry communicates funding, decision making and safeguards to readers over time.

Highlights

Independence here is a process, not a promise of perpetual clarity.