Mothership: A New Feminist Gaming Website Takes Flight in 2026
In a bold move against the current tide of the video game industry, veteran games journalist Maddy Myers has co-founded Mothership, a feminist and identity-focused gaming publication set to launch in 2026. This independent, worker-owned website aims to carve out a much-needed space for inclusive coverage in an era marked by industry layoffs, political shifts, and a retreat from diversity initiatives.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Gaming Journalism
With over fifteen years of experience in games journalism since 2007, Myers has long observed a significant void in media coverage that resonates with people like herself—queer women and feminists. The launch of Mothership comes at a time when the gaming landscape feels particularly bleak. The industry is grappling with mass layoffs, cancelled projects, and an AI bubble on the verge of bursting, while journalists across the board face job losses that hinder comprehensive crisis reporting.
Compounding these issues, the political climate has seen figures like Donald Trump's White House co-opting video game memes for recruitment purposes, and game studios scaling back on diversity and inclusion efforts amid a broader rightward slide. The resurgence of the manosphere and the decline of mainstream feminist outlets such as Teen Vogue have created what Myers describes as "a dismal stew of doom" for marginalised voices in gaming.
The Vision and Mission of Mothership
Mothership is designed to be a sanctuary for readers who approach gaming news with apprehension, fearing that the ideals of movements like Gamergate have prevailed. It will offer a mix of investigative reporting, reviews, critical essays, and historical deep dives into games and developers that have shaped the industry. The publication seeks to serve as a digital equivalent of Teen Vogue for gaming, but without corporate constraints that could compromise its editorial integrity.
Despite the challenges, Myers points to tangible progress in recent decades. Modern games feature more female, non-binary, and queer characters, moving away from rigid gender stereotypes. Surveys, such as the GDC State of the Game Industry report for 2025, indicate a gradual shift in developer demographics, with male representation dropping from 94% in 2009 to 66% in 2025. However, this progress has been met with significant backlash, and few existing websites can cover these dynamics while ensuring reporter safety and morale.
Overcoming Monetisation and Industry Hurdles
Myers' dream of founding such a website has been years in the making, hindered primarily by the journalism industry's monetisation crisis. Having worked at feminist site the Mary Sue in the mid-2010s, she experienced the pressures of advertising-driven models, which demanded high article quotas and limited time for in-depth work. Later roles at major outlets like Kotaku and Polygon exposed her to the vulnerabilities of larger platforms, culminating in a mass layoff at Polygon in 2025 that reduced staff from 42 to eight.
This pivotal moment led Myers to reconnect with former colleague Zoe Hannah, who shared a vision for a feminist gaming website. Together, they decided to launch Mothership, drawing inspiration from independent, worker-owned media outlets like Defector and Aftermath. Within six months of planning, they have already attracted over 1,200 paid subscribers, affirming Myers' belief that an audience for such content exists.
A Necessity for Today's Gaming Community
Mothership is not intended for mass appeal but rather for a specific audience that has long felt excluded by the masculine, hardcore gamer image perpetuated since the 1990s. Myers emphasises that the website is a necessity in the current political and cultural climate, offering a platform for those who grew up feeling out of place in a gaming world tailored to teenage boys. By launching now, she aims to ensure that future generations have access to representative and thoughtful gaming journalism.
