Joystiq Shutting Down is Official

It's unfortunately official. One of the largest gaming news sites on the Internet will be shutting down. Earlier last week, there have been rumors spreading that Joystiq is closing shop. The news, sadly, was confirmed a couple days later.

Though readership has declined at Joystiq, the site has been a very reliable source for fun gaming news. The Joystiq staff were humorous, laid back, and knew how to write with gusto. They have introduced podcasts, an MMO column, let's plays - they understood what the community wanted, and they delivered.

So it is depressing and disheartening to see Joystiq - founded in 2004 - go as part of AOL's restructuring program. AOL plans to fold Joystiq into Engadget, as AOL has been suffering lately with its business. However, that doesn't mean it is the end for video game journalism, but we will miss the site.

I have really grown to frequent their site recently, for both news and community fun (i.e. watching the speed runs of Sonic 2). I hope the writers for Joystiq will at least find wonderful new homes to share their love for video gaming. The site plans to be shutdown by the end of the week, so be sure to read all the article and updates while you can, because this will be your last chance.

So did you partake in the Joystiq community? Enjoy the news? What part of Joystiq did you like best?