When an investigator has an explored marker, does the act of closing the gate count as the Arkham encounter for that turn, or does the investigator have to resolve the Arkham encounter and then try to close the gate?

My understanding (and granted, I've played a sum total of three entire games) is that a gate token actually takes the place of a location, in game. As it is, no encounter card is drawn for an investigator in a location that has a gate, as that location, for the duration of the open gate, has ceased to be in that particular spot. Instead, you've got yourself a gaping, pulsating tear in the fabric of this reality.

So, more to the point, the attempt to close the gate counts as your encounter phase.

At least, that's what I've been lead to believe.

Thanks. That makes sense. I played my first game today, and we played that way, but it was good to hear someone confirm that we played it right.