Digital Foundry Achieves Full Independence from Ziff Davis: What This Means for Gaming and Tech Analysis

Digital Foundry, a leading name in gaming and tech analysis, has officially announced its complete independence from media conglomerate Ziff Davis, marking a significant milestone in the gaming journalism industry.

Established in 2004 by veteran journalist Richard Leadbetter—whose extensive career includes editorial roles at renowned gaming publications like CVG, Mean Machines, Maximum, and PlayStation World—Digital Foundry has become synonymous with in-depth hardware analysis, platform performance reviews, and detailed technical breakdowns across gaming generations. The channel has been a prominent fixture on YouTube, acclaimed for its meticulous coverage of hardware like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.

In 2015, Digital Foundry sold a 50% stake to Gamer Network, further increasing its reach.

Ownership of that share subsequently transferred to ReedPop in 2018 and later to Ziff Davis through the 2023 acquisition of Gamer Network.

Ziff Davis, parent company of well-known outlets like IGN, briefly held half of the channel, making Digital Foundry part of a larger media conglomerate structure. This week, founder Richard Leadbetter announced that he, supported by former Gamer Network founder and Hookshot Media chairman Rupert Loman-West, has finalized the purchase of Ziff Davis' share, making Digital Foundry 100% owner-operated and entirely editorially autonomous.

In a statement reflecting on this pivotal move, Leadbetter explained, "Digital Foundry has amicably parted ways with IGN parent Ziff Davis, resulting in the buyback of their shareholding.

From this point forward, every decision is made by Digital Foundry, independent from external corporate influence.

We are now fully autonomous and answer only to our audience.

This independence signals a new era for gaming media, and we’re excited about the possibilities ahead.

The extent of our ambition will be determined by our community of viewers and readers." Longtime staff writer John Linneman indicated that the new phase will bring an increased focus on retro gaming analysis alongside current-generation hardware coverage.

Additionally, Richard Leadbetter revealed plans for Digital Foundry’s first dedicated website, which will host their content and broaden their global audience beyond YouTube and associated networks. Digital Foundry's current team includes key figures such as Alex Battaglia (video producer), Oliver Mackenzie (contributor), and Tom Morgan (senior staff writer), all contributing to the channel’s reputation for rigorous technical insights.

As Digital Foundry moves into its next chapter, its now fully independent status is set to reinforce its role as an authoritative and trusted source for hardware analysis, platform reviews, and gaming industry commentary. With its independence secured, Digital Foundry’s commitment to offering transparent, expert content stands as a compelling case for the future of unbiased, enthusiast-driven games media.

Digital Foundry YouTube Richard Leadbetter Ziff Davis IGN Gamer Network ReedPop Hookshot Media Rupert Loman-West Alex Battaglia Oliver Mackenzie Tom Morgan