Strategy guide maker Prima Games is shutting down after 28 years

Publish date: 2022-01-15

Strategy guide maker Prima Games is to close its doors next spring, after 28 years of operation.

As reported by Publishers Lunch, parent company DK made the "difficult decision" to cease production of new Prima Games titles following a "significant decline" in the video game guide sector.

DK CEO Ian Hudson elaborated on this in an internal company memo (via Publishers Weekly), stating that, "During a year-long extensive review, many new ways were explored to diversify Prima Games publishing; however, the dynamics for us of this fast-paced landscape have continued to prove difficult. This enormously dedicated team has made every effort to turn the business around, but challenging market conditions have unfortunately worked against them."

Following DK's decision, Prima's Roseville, California office will close mid-November. However, some employees in Prima's Indianapolis office will stay on until March next year, in order to see through all remaining scheduled titles.

DK is yet to confirm the number of employees that have been directly affected by the closure, but says it's "in conversation" with all staff, including those based in Prima's New York office.

Prima Games was established in 1990 to create a small selection of "Games Secrets" books covering a range of console formats, and would eventually go on to produce over 1,400 strategy guides. The company combined with fellow guide maker BradyGames in 2013, after a merger between publishers Penguin and Random House.

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