Pedestrian Group to Discontinue Kotaku Australia

The Australian edition of Kotaku is set to cease operations as its license holder, Pedestrian Group, undergoes restructuring to concentrate on its own proprietary brands. According to a report by The Guardian, the company will also be discontinuing its licenses for Vice, Gizmodo, and Lifehacker in the country. As a result of this strategic shift, dozens of employees are being let go. In an email to staff, Pedestrian Group CEO Matt Rowley announced the decision, stating that the company has chosen to prioritize its wholly owned brands, where it has complete control over strategy, content, product, sales, and outcomes. Rowley will be stepping down from his role as part of the transition, with a new CEO set to be appointed. David Smith, managing editor of Kotaku Australia, expressed his sadness on social media, saying, 'Today marks the sudden end of Kotaku Australia's story. It has been a privilege to work on a site I love every day.' Smith noted that Kotaku Australia was the second-most popular site within the Pedestrian Group's portfolio.