Area 5, who produces the Co-op video series, has partnered with Mexican game mag Atomix to make your iPad useful. They launched an English-language version of Atomix yesterday as an iPad-native app, with articles and layouts designed to take full advantage of the device. You can swipe to scroll through articles, tilt to load galleries, and play embedded video within each article. It's also really pretty!
The app is downloadable for free through the App Store. Each month, a new issue will be available in-app for 99 cents. For a preview of the magazine (or for a chance to experience it vicariously, if you don't have an iPad) check the video after the break.
I might bite on that for the price if the articles are well written. I'm not sure I trust a Mexican publisher though as they dont have access to nearly the amount of media we do to the friendly north.
@Jack Kevorkian I can't speak for the writing, but Area 5 produces some great video content. I can see myself dropping $1 on an issue if it's highlighting a game I'm interested in.
@develoser I am all up for trying it. My concern isn't for the quality of Mexican writing, I have no doubt they have very talented writers, my concern is that Mexican writer's have the same access to content US writers do.
I have no doubt they get a fraction of the amount of free demos and bullshit goody bags writers at Joystiq do.
@Jack Kevorkian pretty sure that the AREA5 team (former media guys and they live in SF) will have access to all of the proper press events, demos, and then some. I think it's more that both teams provide content, the Mexican teams focus primarily on publishing.
@mrmojoz I swear, Kids today. Have you no concept for what a magazine is? People read magazines for their thoughtful writing, opinions, interviews, etc. It's completely different than the blogosphere we all live in today. Blogs are great for short snippets of reposted information or in this blogs case, the occasional informative review. But there's a lot more to talk about than just PR announcements, you know?
That being said, I have not actually checked this out to see if it is a good publication or not. But from what I can tell this isn't trying to be a news source.
What ever happened to EGM[i] on the iPad? Did they ever do that, or are they still working on it? While EGM[i] is not an exclusive iPad mag, this looks suspiciously similar.
@Fuzunga They're still working on getting the EGMi Application up on iTunes. In the most recent issue (Prototype 2 cover) the letters section addressed the question, saying that it should be along some time "after reading this". Of course, they say that almost every issue. So, it's one of those things that just comes when it comes. I'm hope sooner than later, especially when I bought my iPad for games/EGMi back in 2010. :X
Anyways, huge props to the Area5 guys! Not only an accomplishment from a project standpoint but also a competitive one, what with beating EGMi to the punch. I'm sure this will light a fire under Steve Harris's trousers, what with Area5 originally doing a lot of content work for EGMi back when it began.
I expect this will lead to bigger and better things in the future, so I'll be waiting to see how these guys trump this awesome! :)
So I just downloaded it and started reading. Came over here to see if Joystiq had posted yet. you did not disappoint. I'm only a few pages in, so far I like the performance and style of it. Writing and substance is TBD.
Let's not forget that these are the guys (for the most part) who pit together the 1up show. If that's not reason to invest .99 cents a month, I don't know what is.
Atomix is one of the LOUSIEST mags around here. It's editors work for Moshinet, who happens to be the ONLY 3rd party gaming software company around (Disney and WB directly import their games, but EA, Activision, THQ, etc. sell through Moshinet).
That ain't so bad, rigt? I mean, Game Informer is owned by Gamestop and it's OK, right? WRONG!!!
The content of the mag is completely outdated, the "editorial tone" is focused on the 13-year-olds-who-will-buy-ANYTHING-featured-on-the-cover segment. The graphic style of the magazine ain't half bad... But the content is APPALLING!!
Also, the brother of Moshinet's CEO is the owner of GamePlanet... The mexican Gamestop if you will.. So the magazine is ridden of Game Planet ads. Oh,and I forgot: Moshinet's owner is also chief in Slang, the studio that brought you the disgusting Lucha Libre AAA: Héroes del Ring. So Slang games get even MORE attention. Nice little mafia they got here!
It's great that Joystiq gives coverage to more LATAM news (Like Sony's attempt for LATAM oriented blogs, etc.). But I would prefer that my country got more attention of the stuff that is more valuable (Like emerging mexican indie devs, the rise of videogame oriented careers on private Universities, etc.)
But Area5 is simply the publisher. It's as if people avoided Left 4 Dead on 360 because it was published by EA. EA didn't get any say in the content, so take that however you may.
@RaxQ You sir have enlighten our fellow gamers from the US about our current state in the videogame industry here in Mexico, agree 100%. Believe me people, if you knew the politics and prices Gameplanet and their affiliates like Atomix (the #1 magazine here) manage, you would see Gamestop as saints. They're a freakin monopoly, much like Telmex and other companies here.
Mine is quite useful. In fact, it's my only computer
As far as this mag goes, I think it's a great start. There are some design issues here and there but they beat all the other lazy ass mags to market so they have that going. I haven't gotten a chance to read it in it's entirety yet.
Hey, guys, Rick from Area 5 here (I'm the new guy). One of our fans contacted me and told me I should clear up some things here. First off, Atomix the app is not related to the Spanish-language magazine from Mexico. Atomix, the company, published that magazine. The app is brand new entity, created from the ground up by Area 5 and Atomix. We are NOT just the publishers. In the current issue we are responsible for all of the video content and about 50% of the written. In future issues, we will continue to produce all of the video content, but will produce more like 75-80% of the written content. Additionally, we will be bringing in some of the industry's top freelance writers, starting with Issue 2. If you have any questions, feel free to post here or go over on twitter and tweet at any one of us. We also have an FAQ and Troubleshooting over on the atomixmag.com website. Thanks for commenting. We appreciate criticism as much as kudos, so rest assured that we are monitoring the community's feedback and taking it very seriously. We've made this app for YOU. It only makes sense that we take into consideration the things you want out of your media. Stay tuned!
@racurnutte I feel REALLY stupid right now. I'm sorry about my previous rant. It's just that there are many issues in the mexican video game industry that make me go postal. I wish you guys good luck and I want to apologize again.
@RaxQ I really don't think you said anything to apologize for! You simply were speaking about something you feel passionate about. Nothing wrong with that! As I said, we value the community, so you should always feel free to vocalize your concerns. Thanks for allowing me to clear things up!
