joystiq

In the early 2000s, the blog network Weblogs, Inc. was exploring their video game coverage. Peter Rojas, the founder and leader of Engaget, acknowledged that video games were too broad a subject to be covered by their flagship blog alone. Joystiq was therefore intended to cover that area. The site first began with a soft launch in April 2004, and Rojas formally unveiled the site on June 16.{{Cite web |last=Rojas |first=Peter |title=Introducing Joystiq |url=https://www.engadget.com/2004/06/16/introducing-joystiq/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923144907/https://www.engadget.com/2004/06/16/introducing-joystiq/ |archive-date=23 September 2017}} Joystiq emerged at a time when gaming websites were limited to large corporate-owned entities. It emerged as a smaller player in the space, primarily competing with Kotaku, which launched around the same time.{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=2015-01-30 |title=Joystiq is closing and I’ll miss them like hell |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/30/7945625/joystiq-is-closing-and-ill-miss-them-like-hell |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

In June 2005 senior editor Ben Zackheim, after being offered a position at AOL's Games division, announced his resignation due to a conflict of interest.{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2005/06/03/if-a-game-blog-fell-in-the-forest-would-anyone-listen/|title=If a game blog fell in the forest would anyone listen?|last=Zackheim|first=Ben|date=2005-06-03|publisher=Joystiq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128013302/http://www.joystiq.com/2005/06/03/if-a-game-blog-fell-in-the-forest-would-anyone-listen/|archive-date=January 28, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-11-03}} He was succeeded by Vladimir Cole.

Image:Joystiq-E3-2006.jpg crew]]

Joystiq saw major expansion over the period, as it broadened its coverage with dedicated blogs for different consoles. The move towards specialised blogs came shortly after Weblogs was aquired by AOL, which was announced in October 2005.{{cite web |last1=Arrington |first1=Michael |title=AOL Acquires Weblogs, Inc. |url=https://techcrunch.com/2005/10/05/aol-acquires-weblog-inc/ |website=TechCrunch |date=6 October 2005}}

The first of the new blogs launched in November 2005- coinciding with the North American launch of the Xbox 360. Joystiq launched Xbox 360 Fanboy, a blog devoted solely to the in-depth coverage of its namesake hardware.{{cite web |title=Joystiq introduces Xbox 360 Fanboy |url=https://www.engadget.com/2005-11-21-joystiq-introduces-xbox-360-fanboy.html?_fsig=dPD6HFxmwAD8mrynJhleXg--%7EA |website=Engadget |date=21 November 2005}} New staff were hired that month, including Jennie Lees, Blake Snow and Chris Grant.{{cite web |title=Meet the Joystiq Team (part II) |url=https://www.engadget.com/2005-11-19-meet-the-joystiq-team-part-ii.html?_fsig=u.L4.0LGVBT9HB_AWfbp6w--%7EA |website=Engadget |date=20 November 2005}} For the next three weeks Joystiq unveiled additional console-specific spinoffs, including PSP Fanboy on November 28, WoW Insider on December 6, and DS Fanboy on December 12. On February 15, 2006, a sixth blog was introduced: Revolution Fanboy, (which was later renamed to Nintendo Wii Fanboy), while March 29 heralded the arrival of PS3 Fanboy, completing Joystiq{{'}}s trifecta of specialized next-gen coverage. While some criticized the practice of splintering off Joystiq{{'}}s primary areas of expertise, Jason Calacanis justified these actions by asserting that separate blogs were necessary to fulfill these specialized niches.Jason Calacanis, December 21, 2005, [https://calacanis.com/2005/12/21/the-joystiq-network/ The Joystiq Network] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206001824/https://calacanis.com/2005/12/21/the-joystiq-network/ |date=2020-12-06 }}calacanis.com

On January 26, 2006, Joystiq coined the phrase "DS phat",{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/26/ds-lite-vs-ds-comparison/|title=DS lite vs. DS comparison|last=Quilty|first=Conrad|date=2006-01-26|publisher=Joystiq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716022409/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/26/ds-lite-vs-ds-comparison/|archive-date=July 16, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-11-03}} a nickname for the old-style Nintendo DS that helps differentiate between the launch model DS and the DS Lite. The nickname remained in informal use for decades.{{cite web |title=Poll: Was The Nintendo DS Prototype Really So Ugly? |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/features/poll-was-the-nintendo-ds-prototype-really-so-ugly |website=Nintendo Life |date=21 November 2024}}

Cole moved to Microsoft's Xbox division in 2007, and Chris Grant became editor-in-chief for the website. He was also one of the inaugural hosts for The Joystiq Podcast, a weekly discussion show for video game news and culture. The other hosts for the show were Ludwig Kietzmann and Justin McElroy. The podcast would become an enduring feature that persisted in various forms for the remainder of the site's lifetime. Grant's tenure also saw one further blog launched, in the form of Massively. The new blog was designed to cover MMOs in general (as opposed to the World of Warcraft specific WoW Insider). It launched on November 2, 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-11-02-joystiq-presents-massively.html/|title=Joysitq presents: Massively|last=Dybwad|first=Bob|date=November 2, 2007|website=Weblogs inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525050230/http://www.weblogsinc.com/2007/11/02/joystiq-presents-massively/|archive-date=May 25, 2011}}

From 2009 Joystiq underwent a period of consolidation, merging several of the spinoff blogs back into the main site. This began with the "Fanboy" pages that January, which were rebranded and integrated directly into the main Joystiq site. DS and Wii Fanboy were merged into Joystiq Nintendo, the PSP and PS3 Fanboy merged into Joystiq PlayStation, and Xbox 360 Fanboy became Joystiq Xbox. Until 2010, these sites continued to feature specialized posts in addition to relevant content from the main Joystiq site. The arrangement was ultimately only briefly in effect, as in June 2010 the site rebranded and folded all three back into the main site as part of the "Futurestiq" overhaul. The staff from those companion blogs were folded into Joystiq full-time.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-06-11-welcome-to-the-latest-joystiq-we-call-it-futurestiq.html|title=Welcome to the latest Joystiq (we call it 'Futurestiq')|last=Grant|first=Christopher|date=2010-06-11|work=Joystiq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316172950/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/welcome-to-the-latest-joystiq-we-call-it-futurestiq/|archive-date=March 16, 2015|access-date=2022-04-29}}

In January 2012, Ludwig Kietzmann became the editor-in-chief after Grant left to form a new video game news website with Vox Media, owners of The Verge, known as Polygon.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2012/10/24/the-inside-story-of-polygon-the-verges-new-gaming-sister-site/ |title=The Inside Story Of Polygon, The Verge's New Gaming Sister-Site |last1=Solomon |first1=Brian |date=October 24, 2012 |work=Forbes |access-date=August 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731022204/http://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2012/10/24/the-inside-story-of-polygon-the-verges-new-gaming-sister-site/ |archive-date=July 31, 2014 |url-status=live }} That April, the site cancelled The Joystiq Show to launch Super Joystiq Podcast, returning to the more conversational format used in the original show Kietzmann hosted with McElroy and Grant.

In January 2015, co-owned blog TechCrunch reported that AOL was planning to shutter underperforming content properties, particularly in the technology and lifestyle verticals, to focus on its stronger properties, video, and advertising sales.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/19/aol-is-restructuring-layoffs-and-site-closures-likely/|title=Aol Is Restructuring, Layoffs And Site Closures Likely|last=Lunden|first=Ingrid|website=TechCrunch|date=19 January 2015|publisher=AOL|access-date=April 29, 2022|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205152754/https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/19/aol-is-restructuring-layoffs-and-site-closures-likely/|url-status=live}} On January 27, 2015, Re/code reported that Joystiq was among the sites that were "likely" to be shut down as part of this restructuring plan.{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/1/26/11558118/aol-likely-to-shutter-gaming-site-joystiq-in-larger-content-cleanup|title=AOL Likely to Shutter Gaming Site Joystiq in Larger Content Cleanup|last=Swisher|first=Kara|date=January 26, 2015|website=Vox|access-date=27 January 2015|archive-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530032129/https://www.vox.com/2015/1/26/11558118/aol-likely-to-shutter-gaming-site-joystiq-in-larger-content-cleanup|url-status=live}} Readership of Joystiq had seen sharp declines, falling by at least 18% over the previous year. On January 30, 2015, various Joystiq staff members, and eventually the site itself, confirmed that the site, along with its spin-offs Massively and WoW Insider, and fellow AOL property TUAW, would cease operations after February 3, 2015. Gaming-oriented coverage was assumed by Engadget.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/01/30/aol-closes-gaming-site-joystiq.aspx|title=AOL Closes Gaming Site Joystiq|last=Futter|first=Mike|date=January 30, 2015|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=2 February 2015|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108132359/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/01/30/aol-closes-gaming-site-joystiq.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/3041817/farewell-to-tuaw-and-to-a-whole-era-of-tech-blogging|title=Farewell to TUAW - And To A Whole Era of Tech Blogging|last=Mccracken|first=Harry|date=February 1, 2015|website=Fast Company|access-date=2 February 2015|archive-date=3 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903040847/https://www.fastcompany.com/3041817/farewell-to-tuaw-and-to-a-whole-era-of-tech-blogging|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/joystiq-and-massively-shut-down-amid-aol-downsizing|title=Joystiq and Massively shut down amid AOL downsizing|last=Wawro|first=Alex|date=January 30, 2015|website=Game Developer|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530032131/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/joystiq-and-massively-shut-down-amid-aol-downsizing|url-status=live}} The closure drew an outpouring of sympathy from the wider sector. Kotaku called for "A moment to reflect on what would have been had not Joystiq helped usher in this age of gaming and coverage."

Griffin and Justin McElroy, along with their brother Travis McElroy, started the podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me in 2010, around a year before the discontinuation of The Joystiq Podcast. The podcast gained popularity quickly at launch, "largely on the back of their existing Joystiq podcast base".{{cite web |title=The McElroy Brothers Discuss Their New Graphic Novel |url=https://uproxx.com/tv/mcelroy-brothers-interview/ |website=UPROXX |date=18 July 2018}}{{cite web |title=TRANSCRIPT MBMBaM 420: Funeral For a Friend |url=https://maximumfun.org/transcripts/my-brother-my-brother-and-me/transcript-mbmbam-420-funeral-for-a-friend/ |website=Maximum Fun |date=20 April 2021}} Grant and the McElroy's departure from Joystiq in 2012 allowed them to found the games journalism website Polygon, which is active as of 2025. The McElroys ultimately retired from journalism in 2018 to focus on their podcasting careers.{{cite web |last1=McElroy |first1=Justin |last2=McElroy |first2=Griffin |title=It's a Departure |url=https://www.polygon.com/forums/meta/2018/4/24/17275680/its-a-departure |website=Polygon |access-date=July 3, 2018 |language=en |date=24 April 2018 |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624132741/https://www.polygon.com/forums/meta/2018/4/24/17275680/its-a-departure |url-status=live }} Grant remained editor-in-chief of Polygon until 2019, and now serves as its publisher.https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/14/3642156/playgrounds-chris-grant

On February 10, 2015, the staff of Joystiq's former Massively column launched their own successor site. Massively Overpowered is dedicated to the continuation of their MMO coverage, and remains active as of 2025.{{Cite news|url=http://massivelyop.com/about/|title=About|newspaper=Massively Overpowered|access-date=2016-12-30|archive-date=2020-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113114746/https://massivelyop.com/about/|url-status=live}}

Kietzmann briefly became U.S. Editor-in-Chief for GamesRadar+, and then retired from journalism in 2016 to become the editing director for Assembly Media.{{cite web |title=Articles by Ludwig Kietzmann {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/author/ludwig-kietzmann/ |website=gamesradar |language=en |date=8 October 2020}}

The final configuration of Joystiq staff included editor-in-chief Ludwig Kietzmann, managing editor Susan Arendt, feature content director Xav de Matos, reviews content director Richard Mitchell, news content director Alexander Sliwinski, senior reporter Jess Conditt, and contributing editors Sinan Kubba, Danny Cowan, Mike Suszek and Earnest Cavalli. Thomas Schulenberg and Sam Prell maintained the blog on the weekends as the weekend editors and Anthony John Agnello served as community manager.{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/about/|title=About|publisher=Joystiq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316231714/http://www.joystiq.com/about/|archive-date=March 16, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-11-03}}

Previous Joystiq staff members included editor-in-chief Chris Grant, managing editor James Ransom-Wiley, features editor Kevin Kelly, reviews editor Justin McElroy, editors Griffin McElroy, J.C. Fletcher, and Mike Schramm, East Coast Editor Andrew Yoon, and West Coast Editor Randy Nelson.

{{Infobox Podcast

| title = The Joystiq Podcast

| host = Chris Grant, Justin McElroy, Ludwig Kietzmann

| status = Weekly

| began = February 6, 2007

| ended = June 8, 2011

| opentheme = Gravity (Don't Let Me Go) - Jon Black

| endtheme = Red Eye - Ben Kweller

| genre = Podcast

| num_episodes = 178

| ratings = }}

{{Infobox Podcast

| title = The Joystiq Show

| host = Chris Grant, Xav de Matos

| status = Weekly

| began = June 17, 2011

| ended = April 13, 2012

| genre = Podcast

| num_episodes = 29

| ratings = }}

{{Infobox Podcast

| title = Super Joystiq Podcast

| host = Xav de Matos

| url = http://www.joystiq.com/tag/super-joystiq-podcast

[https://web.archive.org/web/20150204064307/http://www.joystiq.com/tag/super-joystiq-podcast]

| status = Weekly

| began = May 4, 2012

| ended = January 16, 2015

| num_episodes = 128

| genre = Podcast

| ratings = }}

The Joystiq Podcast launched in 2007 and was hosted by Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justin McElroy. The three would discuss various gaming-related news stories. Segments included, 'What Have you Been Playing?', 'Brush With Fame', 'The Big Three', 'The Do It Line!' and 'Reader Mail'. It would sometimes featured guests from other gaming websites such as CheapyD, Chris Remo, and Stephen Totilo. Some special episodes were also produced for industry events such as Game Developers Conference (GDC). Griffin McElroy would also appear occasionally as a guest host.{{cite web |title=Joystiq Podcast 040 - Over the Hill edition |url=https://autos.yahoo.com/2008-03-07-joystiq-podcast-040-over-the-hill-edition.html?guccounter=1 |website=Yahoo! Autos |date=7 March 2008}}

The Joystiq Show launched in June 2011 as a replacement for the podcast,{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-06-17-the-joystiq-show-001-duke-nukem-forever.html|title=The Joystiq Show - 001: Duke Nukem Forever|last=Downin|first=Jonathan|date=2011-06-17|website=Engadget|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204193111/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/the-joystiq-show-001-duke-nukem-forever/|archive-date=February 4, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=2022-04-29}} promising a more serious, academic format, with a multifaceted examination of Duke Nukem Forever including an interview with voice actor Jon St. John and a review roundtable. Over time, the show's format evolved to include more off-the-cuff discussion, while maintaining the topical nature.

The third and final iteration, Super Joystiq Podcast, was announced at Joystiq{{'}}s PAX East 2012 panel and officially released on May 4, 2012. This podcast featured every editor, grouped together in a different configuration every week, each participating in an intro, news, preview, or "Joystiq Research Institute" segment. The intention was to move the format back towards that of the original, with conversations about the industry from the staff.{{cite web |title=Super Joystiq Podcast 001: Black Ops 2, Elder Scrolls Online, The Walking Dead {{!}} Joystiq |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/super-joystiq-podcast-001-black-ops-2-elder-scrolls-online-th/ |website=Joystiq.com |access-date=13 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326225811/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/super-joystiq-podcast-001-black-ops-2-elder-scrolls-online-th/ |date=4 May 2012 |archive-date= 26 Mar 2013}} The final episode, discussing The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, aired on January 16, 2015, several weeks before the site's closure.{{cite web |title=Super Joystiq Podcast 128: Reviews, New Nintendo 3DS, Majora's Mask 3D |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015-01-16-super-joystiq-podcast-128-reviews-new-nintendo-3ds-majoras-m.html |website=Engadget |date=16 January 2015}}

In 2005, Joystiq was listed at #19 of the Feedster 500.{{cite web |title=Joystiq at #19 in Feedster's top 500 blogs for August |url=https://www.engadget.com/2005-08-19-joystiq-at-19-in-feedsters-top-500-blogs-for-august.html?_fsig=cplmCKE4bqXihD0U7kH.pA--%7EA |website=Engadget |date=19 August 2005}} In 2007, it was also listed in Forbes.com's Best of the Web.{{cite web|title=Video Game Blogs|url=http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/category.jhtml?id=317|work=Forbes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318215935/http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/category.jhtml?id=317|archivedate=2007-03-18}}

• GameDaily

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080220014740/http://www.joystiq.com:80/ Joystiq website] (Wayback Machine copy)

{{AOL Inc.}}

{{Video game journalism}}

Category:Video game blogs

Category:Weblogs, Inc.

Category:American gaming websites

Category:Internet properties established in 2004

Category:Internet properties disestablished in 2015

Category:Defunct American websites

Category:Video game news websites