It debuted in August 1991, when the video game retailer FuncoLand started publishing an in-house newsletter.

In 2010, Game Informer became the 5th largest magazine in the US with 5 million copies sold, ahead of popular publications like Time, Sports Illustrated, and Playboy.

[17] The financial success of Game Informer has been attributed to its good relationship with publishers, ties to GameStop, and the lack of gaming-magazine competition.

[20] Similar in style to a celebrity roast, the occasion is meant to "knock some of gaming's most revered icons off their high and mighty pedestals".

[24] Sacred Cow Barbecues articles are considered controversial among those gamers who are not amused by their favorite games being mocked.

As a result of the layoff, other Game Informer staff also left of their own will, including video editor Ben Hanson.

Ben Hanson eventually started his own podcast called MinnMax, in the process recruiting some of the Game Informer staff that was laid off.

[26] In late June 2020, longtime editor-in-chief and founder Andy McNamara announced he was leaving Game Informer, to be the Global Director of Integrated Comms for Shooters & Star Wars at Electronic Arts, and that former senior editor Andrew Reiner would be taking his place as editor-in-chief.

[27] On November 4, 2021, the official website announced that every issue from then on would have a small print run variant known as Game Informer Gold.

[28] In the summer of 2022, three more Game Informer staff were laid off: John Carson, Wesley LeBlanc, and Creative Director Jeff Akervik, who had worked at the publication for over 14 years.

[30] Game Informer launched a new print magazine subscription, standalone from GameStop's Power Up Rewards, in March 2024.

[33] Game Informer Online was originally launched in August 1996 and featured daily news updates as well as articles.

GI Online was revived, at the same domain name, in September 2003, with a full redesign and many additional features, such as a review database, frequent news updates, and exclusive "Unlimited" content for subscribers.

[35] Berghammer is currently the editor-in-chief at EGM Media Group [36] In March 2009, the online staff began creating the code for what would be the latest redesign to date.

[33] In November 2009, Game Informer was launched in Australia by former Australian GamePro, Gameplayer and Official PlayStation Magazine editor Chris Stead and publisher Citrus Media.

[41] GI Australia editor David Milner noted on Twitter that despite the fact that "readership was up 19% over the last year", that "Recent ad sales, however, did not really reflect this"; he also noted the failed attempt at EB Games Australia's corporate parent GameStop to find a buyer after months on the market, causing their shares to drop.