Dan "Shoe" Hsu ends long career at Ziff Davis

by Kyle Orland { Apr 11th 2008 at 2:10PM }

[Update: 2:20PM: Shoe has posted a blog about the move, noting that his departure is "my own decision; I'm not being forced out or laid off or anything like that." Hsu writes that he plans to take "some much-needed time off" before considering future career moves.]

[Update 2:17PM: Ziff Davis Vice President for Editorial Simon Cox has written a blog post on the departure, noting that the move will be effective Friday, April 25.]

Ziff Davis announced today that Dan "Shoe" Hsu, former editor-in-chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly, will be leaving Ziff Davis "to pursue personal interests." Site Director Sam Kennedy will be taking over Hsu's current role as Editorial Director of 1UP Networks.

The abrupt departure, which comes after an 11-year career with the video game news publisher, follows a Tuesday announcement that Ziff Davis Games For Windows magazine would be going to an online-only format effective immediately. It's not immediately known what Hsu plans to do next. Kennedy will also maintain his current role as editor-in-chief of the online gaming news portal.

Hsu started working for Ziff Davis in April 1996. He briefly wrote for start-up Gamers.com from April 2000 - 2001 before returning to Ziff Davis and becoming editor-in-chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly. Hsu was promoted to editorial director last year, when former Editorial Director John Davison left Ziff Davis to start parents gaming guide What They Play.

Tags: Dan-Hsu, EGM, Electronic-Gaming-Monthly, journalism, shoe, Ziff-Davis

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Synner @ Apr 11th 2008 2:15PM

So, anyone else get the impression this is because their marketing guys saw what a bunch douchebags everyone thought Shoe and his gang were, after seeing the response to articles about their "journalistic integrity" and now this is their attempt to reimage themselves?

Levi @ Apr 11th 2008 2:32PM

No.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 11th 2008 2:49PM

So, anyone else get the impression this is because Synner's marketing guys saw what a douchebag everyone thought he was, and now this is their attempt to reimage him?

Ghen @ Apr 11th 2008 2:55PM

You're joking... Shoe's a good guy.

BananaBoat @ Apr 11th 2008 2:56PM

I would say that the marketing department probably had something to do with it. I didn't buy the whole "promotion" angle of him being "promoted" from editor in chief of EGM, to Editorial Director or whatever BS position they had him in for the span of a couple of weeks. Clearly (to me) he was shoved aside at this crucial time when EGM (and really ZD in general) is desperate for all the advertising dollars they can get, no matter where they come from (which shoe was obviously opposed to).

I hate to say it, but I think EGM is on it's last legs. I love the magazine, but it's getting thinner and thinner as the years roll on, to the point where it doesn't even last one complete dump (Oh, and I'm allowed to complain, now that I'm paying for EGM and not just getting it free, thanks to Games for Windows closing shop and sending my subscription over to EGM). 1up is clearly going nowhere, and is ever expanding, to the point where it's now a real rival to places like Gamespot/IGN etc. It's a shame that shoe won't be a part of that, but maybe he can join up with Jeff Gerstmann, in his new adventures. Nothing like the combination of two journalists once scorned.

Synner @ Apr 11th 2008 3:25PM

This isn't indicative of them being a shitty magazine or anything (despite seanbaby's best efforts to make it one), it is just simple logistics. Why am I going to wait a month to hear something joystiq posted 3 weeks ago?

They need to either offer something interesting as well as informative to stay afloat, people aren't going to read your magazine when your big scoop story was on the web weeks before you go to print.

Ah and Hasbrown Hunter, go fuck your mother, she was a little upset I only let her give me head last night.

John McPoop @ Apr 12th 2008 12:33AM

@ Hashbrown Hunter

I guess you hit to close to home with that one ... Synner is a hateful asshole so I wouldn't worry about him for anything except maybe your receipt at a toll booth ...

Synner @ Apr 12th 2008 4:04AM

yeah mcpoop, anyone who disagrees with your point of view is a hateful asshole.

and what do you bring to discussion other than XBOX is shit and Sony's cock tastes great comments?

John McPoop @ Apr 12th 2008 10:47PM

Sorry Pal but you have me confused with someone else ... You know just as well as I do you are a hateful asshole ... If you are as hateful and condescending in real life as you are on this site than I guarantee you are a lonely sad individual ... Drop the tough guy image and the insults and get some maturity ... You would be surprised where a little humility will get you in life ...

i_rod @ Apr 11th 2008 2:17PM

Shoe, say it ain't so! Oh well, maybe he'll come write for joystiq now. Or, more likely, xbox360achievements.org.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 11th 2008 2:50PM

Most likely the latter. He's a self-admitted achievement whore.

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Apr 11th 2008 2:19PM

Hello.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 11th 2008 2:20PM

What's up? =p

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Apr 11th 2008 2:22PM

Hello. How are you?

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Apr 11th 2008 2:22PM

...lol...

I was seeing if I could still post.

I can't post Resident Evil thread, but I think that's a good thing now seeing some of the comments.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 11th 2008 2:24PM

You can't post the word J a p a n... maybe you were typing that word.

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Apr 11th 2008 2:30PM

You're right Fernando. You can't type that word on this site. Which is a little...weird.

Why is that a trigger word?

Christopher Grant @ Apr 11th 2008 2:38PM

Just fixed it. We had removed "jap" for obvious reasons, but due to a limitation in our database software, it was triggering terms like "japan" and "japanese". We've reversed the block (as you can see), so those terms should be fine now, and we'll just have to police the site for inappropriate usage.

deaftly @ Apr 11th 2008 2:52PM

Don't taze me Grant!

Curtis the Claw: Brawl Code 1075-0441-3284 @ Apr 11th 2008 2:55PM

Dang it, I was hoping to post another list of countries.

Mr Khan @ Apr 11th 2008 4:53PM

filtering software will do that

I remember on PSO Blue Burst when i couldn't type the word "suspicious" because it contained the letters S P I C in sequence

BPM [SSBB: 5026 4120 1186] @ Apr 12th 2008 12:13AM

Is that why I had been having difficulty posting lately?

I think the filter should be reworked so it tells you what word you've said so you can remove it.

Also, trollish names for the companies and their consoles (Nintendonald's, Micro$soft, DelayStation, etc.) should be added to the filter.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 11th 2008 2:20PM

Can I take his place? I kinda need a job in the gaming scene... Joystiq don't pay me =(

rv @ Apr 11th 2008 2:25PM

Why would they pay someone to say OMFG NINTENDO ROX in every single comment section?

Worst Review Ever @ Apr 11th 2008 2:38PM

I +1 to both of you. Fernando, because I love him. RV, because that was some funny shit.

Fernando, when the hell do you guys play Brawl? I never see anybody when I sign on and I'm starting to feel a little left out...

Curtis the Claw: Brawl Code 1075-0441-3284 @ Apr 11th 2008 2:57PM

What's your friend code WRE?

ChooChooCharlie (Brawl: 1504-5357-9285) @ Apr 11th 2008 8:53PM

@ WRE:

I have the same problem. We should set up some kind of Joystiq SSBB night or something.

Phranctoast @ Apr 11th 2008 2:21PM

Off to work for Microsoft after he gets the Bill Gates off his chin.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 11th 2008 2:53PM

Dan Hsu's Interview with Bill Gates:

"Mr. Hsu, we are very interested in you working for us. We're willing to offer you something you can't refuse.

"...uh...what is it?"

"All of the achievements ever ma--"

"DEAL."

BPM [SSBB: 5026 4120 1186] @ Apr 11th 2008 4:01PM

"...made in the last minute."

"DAMMIT."

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 11th 2008 2:21PM

I guess now Halo 4 will get the score it deserves from 1up and EGM instead of an automatic 10 :P

Half joking aside it's too bad he's leaving, I actually enjoyed hearing him on the podcasts. Best of luck to him.

ZenGaijin @ Apr 11th 2008 2:28PM

Damn, who is left over at Ziff?

I swear I can't lose Shane and Garrnet those are like best personalities.

Rocko @ Apr 11th 2008 2:38PM

aww man, I've been reading EGM since I was like 8, he's always been there for me. It really is sad to see him go, since I really did enjoy reading about video games while on the toilet I believe this is a magazine's only advantage over the internet, I can read all I want about video games without burning my legs using a laptop.
I remember that time they offered you a big ass T.V. for a good review, and you were all like "hell naw, I'z a journalist, fa reelz" and then you walked out all badass like. And even though those comics about you had way too many words, they were still pretty to look at. Bye Hsu, you'll be missed by an avid reader.

daCuk @ Apr 11th 2008 2:45PM

Well, now we will have less Halo on our lives.
Sorry to say, EGM was much better WITHOUT Hsu, and now it is again (not to Next Generation levels, though)

Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 11th 2008 2:57PM

TAKE THAT BACK...NOW.

Lemmiwinks (SSBBFC: 0903-2436-0891) @ Apr 11th 2008 2:54PM

friggin stud

Grazen @ Apr 11th 2008 2:54PM

Arrogant little ****er - at least that's how he came across in the mag (I'm a subscriber) and online. Not unhappy to see him leave, he had this attitude like he was going to "change the world" or something - dude, you write about videogames!

In any case, it looks bad to see him tossed after his war with Ubisoft. I don't buy for a second that he wasn't tossed, what typically happens in these cases is that you agree to announce your "resignation" to save face, but still can argue termination or wrongful dismissal in court.

See ya Shoe, don't like to see guys fired, but if you have the right attitude and learn the right lessons, you'll be a better person for it.

SirFishouse @ Apr 14th 2008 6:02PM

I agree. I've read EGM for a couple of years now and I'm not sorry to see him leave. The guy is an ass.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 11th 2008 2:56PM

It's very sad to see Hsu go. His blog was some of the most entertaining and important stuff I've read in a long time. He will be greatly missed. He will join Luke, John, and Kathleen in the 1UP graveyard of lost members.

...and the list of the people I will miss most in the industry that helped shape what it has become today.

Good luck to you, Mr. "Shoe"

jmood88 @ Apr 11th 2008 6:54PM

Kathleen sucked, I swear she never liked anything if it wasn't Animal Crossing. I have never seen someone so negative about every single game.

PojoMofo @ Apr 11th 2008 2:59PM

Although the biggest achivement whore I have ever heard of, I always liked his articles and like him on 1up yours/1up show. Hopefully he lands on his feet somewhere good

PojoMofo @ Apr 11th 2008 3:01PM

WHERES THE NEW PODCAST?? I NEED IT BAD!!!!!!

Kewlrats @ Apr 11th 2008 3:02PM

Is it just me, or are gaming journalism personalities quickly becoming extinct?

At least we have Joystiq, the best gaming podcast on Facebook!

Dan, good luck in your future endeavors.

Spirit-of @ Apr 11th 2008 3:03PM

With the news about GFW going online only, I've got to believe that the clock is ticking for the old EGM warhorse too.

Kind of a shame because now I'll be stuck reading old copies of The New Yorker when potty time rolls around.

Dracula Jones @ Apr 11th 2008 3:05PM

I remain a big fan of ZD's gaming mags and a subscriber to EGM and CGW (well, I guess not anymore on that one)...

Shoe will be missed all over the place, particularly on the podcast side... good luck, man.

If Jeff Green ends up leaving, too, it's cry time.