Saying goodbye to TouchArcade

by Tomáš Valouch, updated October 28, 2024

After more than 16 years, we are saying goodbye to one of the most important media focused on mobile games. Since its launch in 2008, TouchArcade has become a guide to the world of mobile gaming for millions of fans. With over 33,000 articles and The TouchArcade Show podcast, it has made its mark in the hearts of many gamers. However, the financial challenges the site has faced over the years have meant that TouchArcade can no longer continue to operate on a daily basis.

In this article, we take a look back at how TouchArcade shaped the gaming community, why it had to shut down, and what the future holds for this iconic site.

What was TouchArcade for?

TouchArcade served as one of the most prominent media outlets focused on mobile gaming. Its main functions were to provide reviews, news, and articles about new games available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Since its launch in 2008, it has become the go-to source for mobile game fans looking for the latest news, reviews, and game recommendations.

TouchArcade also provided a forum where the gaming community could discuss games, and regularly produced a podcast, The TouchArcade Show, which recently celebrated 600 episodes.

With over 33,000 articles and 4,000 game reviews, TouchArcade was the App Store’s guide to the gaming world. CNET ranked TouchArcade as one of the top 10 gaming blogs, while Time magazine selected TouchArcade as one of the 50 best sites in 2011.

Why is TouchArcade going out of business?

TouchArcade is closing primarily due to long-term financial problems. The site is simply no longer able to generate sufficient revenue. The team has deliberately avoided practices such as aggressive ads, clickbait headlines, or questionable sponsorships that, while still profitable on today’s Internet, are not in line with their values. However, this ultimately led to the financial unsustainability of the project.

What’s next for TouchArcade?

Although TouchArcade is winding down its daily operations, all content will remain online and accessible to all. This includes over 33,000 articles, 4,000 game reviews, annual picks of the best games, and much more. The site will thus serve as a reference source and a reminder of the evolution of mobile gaming over the past 16 years.

TouchArcade employees are now looking for new job opportunities as the job market is challenging, especially in the gaming industry. They are therefore openly asking potential employers for help in finding new jobs.

The TouchArcade team hopes to continue recording their podcast, The TouchArcade Show, which recently celebrated 600 episodes. Support from Patreon, which has been crucial to keeping the site going, could continue to be used to fund the podcast and occasional posts or special articles. Thus, the site has a chance to live on in a limited form, even if it is no longer as active as before.