AOL to close websites, and Joystiq could be one of them – report

Yet another major games website is reportedly under threat of closure, according to multiple online reports.

AOL is set to restructure its media business and its sales team, which could lead to the closure of multiple ‘underperforming websites’ including Joystiq.

TechCrunch, which is owned by AOL reports that the firm ‘is preparing to lay off staff and close or fold up underperforming titles as part of a bigger restructuring, aimed at simplifying the company around ad tech, stronger content operations and video.’ It then points to declining traffic for KitchenDaily, Pawnation and Joystiq. It’s a report backed up by multiple other media sites, including Bloomberg.

Meanwhile, sources told Re/Code that ‘AOL is likely to shutter its primary video game site Joystiq, part of an extensive house-cleaning of its underperforming content properties’.

The news follows the imminent closure of Future’s popular games website, CVG.