Layoffs hit video game magazine publisher Future US

Struggling magazine publisher Future US went through some internal restructuring today, and cut a total of 19 jobs across the organization. While Future did not disclose which divisions were affected, several former employees have confirmed that a number of these layoffs came from GamesRadar and other video game-related publications. According to recent Twitter posts, consumer gaming site GamesRadar lost at least four staff members, including producer Cheryll Del Rosario and editors Mike Grimm, Carolyn Gudmundson, and Matt Keast. In a limited-access Facebook message, Future's Chuck Osborn confirmed he was also among those let go. Osborn spent more than 13 years at Future, where he worked on PC Gamer and most recently served as group editor in chief of special interest media division Future Plus (@Gamer, Crochet Today). Future addressed the layoffs in an official statement, saying, "Future US is currently working to reposition itself in the marketplace to transform the company from an old school publisher to a hybrid publisher." The statement continued, "While many 'old school' publishing companies and outlets have folded completely, Future US is in process of retooling and reshaping the organization to succeed, and thrive in the digital era. This decision was extremely difficult. Regrettably, it was necessary to eliminate 19 jobs. None of the brands have been closed." Earlier this week, Future US promoted company veteran Ursula Morgan to media vice president, putting her in charge of numerous gaming properties such as Official Xbox Magazine, Nintendo Power, and more.