TheGamer workers are up in arms over Valnet's new pay-per-session contract, which they see as a devastating blow to their livelihoods. This move, dubbed 'Pay Per Session' (PPS) by Valnet, effectively means writers will be compensated based on the number of sessions their articles receive, rather than a flat rate or per-article basis. The implications are dire, with many workers fearing they won't be able to afford to work for TheGamer anymore.
The PPS system, as explained by Valnet, rewards top-performing articles with a payment structure ranging from $3 to $8 per 1000 sessions. However, this system is not universally applied. Editors on stories, for instance, are placed in the $3 category, while 'written articles' (edited pieces) fall into the $5 category. The highest tier, $8, is reserved for 'self-published' articles, which are those where the writer also handles the CMS tasks. This structure, however, is limited to 15 days per post publish.
The PPS model, while offering more direct control over earnings, removes the minimum guarantee of pay that writers previously enjoyed. This shift has sparked confusion and concern among workers, who are already grappling with the prospect of a significant pay cut. Some workers have even likened the PPS to a form of 'soft-layoffs', a sentiment that resonates with those who feel their livelihoods are at stake.
TheGamer's senior leadership, including the editor-in-chief, were reportedly not informed about the PPS ahead of its announcement, adding to the confusion and frustration. The site's history of struggles, including layoffs in October 2025 and traffic drops related to Google changes, has made the PPS structure all the more shocking. The workers' sentiment is clear: they are making it known that they would leave if they are placed under the PPS.
This move by Valnet comes at a time when opportunities for writers, especially in games journalism, are already shrinking. The PPS system, with its potential to further reduce pay, is seen as a major blow to an already precarious field. Readers, too, are concerned about the fair compensation of writers, and the PPS system raises questions about the future of online journalism and the treatment of workers in the industry.
