Entertainment · Gaming · 8 hrs ago
Chris Kerr launches subscription-funded games publication Vertical Slice
Chris Kerr, a longtime games journalist and former senior editor at Game Developer, has launched Vertical Slice, a new publication covering the video game industry.
He says it will focus on news and reporting, including stories about workers and industry issues.
Kerr left Game Developer in September and says he wants to work independently, without commercial interests affecting the journalism.
The site is funded mainly by reader subscriptions and will not carry advertising, though its document library may have sponsors.
Most of its articles will require payment after November 2, while some articles and the library of game design and pitch documents will remain free.
The library is intended to help other developers, and some documents have been submitted by games companies.
Kerr is the publication’s only staff member at launch and says he plans to invest in editorial work when the business becomes sustainable.
Chris Kerr has launched Vertical Slice, a games publication funded mainly by reader subscriptions.
The publication says it will report on the video game industry and give workers a platform.
Vertical Slice is free to read until November 2, after which most of its output will require a subscription.
It will also offer a free archive of pitch and design documents.
Kerr is the publication’s sole staff member at launch and plans to reinvest in editorial work once it is sustainable.
- Who
- Chris Kerr, a former senior editor at Game Developer, launched the publication.
- What
- Vertical Slice is a games publication funded mainly by reader subscriptions.
- When
- It launched on October 12, 2026, and is free to read until November 2.
- Where
- Online.
- Why
- Kerr says he wants to produce independent reporting, give workers a voice and hold power to account.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kerr left Game Developer.
Kerr launched Vertical Slice.
The publication is scheduled to end its free-reading period.
- Founder
- Chris Kerr
- Launch date
- October 12, 2026
- Free-reading period ends
- November 2
- Starting subscription price
- £7.45 per month
- Initial subscriber target
- 500 monthly or 650 annual subscribers
What people are saying
It will always mean giving workers a voice and holding power to account by cutting through the noise to find the truth.
I feel like I can do my best work outside the confines of a publication that is owned by a globally traded corporation with wildly different commercial interests,
It is scary,
I'm not starting Vertical Slice to amass untold riches. I simply want to do the work I value in service of an audience in need of top-quality reporting.
Sources
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