Joystiq

Nintendo Power officially closes, last issue should be out December 11

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST

Yesterday marked the day Nintendo Power, after running for 24 years, officially closed. The news of the magazine's end broke back in August, but yesterday some of the now former staffers revealed on Twitter they'd completed the last issue, and the office had closed its doors. That final issue should be out on December 11.

You can read the favorite memories of many Nintendo Power staffers here, as well as reminisce with us and other writers as we remember a publication so prominent in our gaming childhoods.

Nintendo Power officially closes, last issue should be out December 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK magazines Xbox World, PSM3 ceasing publication by December

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:30:00 EST

Independent UK magazines Xbox World and PSM3 will release its final issues on December 12, Future Publishing tells CVG. Future has plans to focus on digital growth and will redistribute all employees of the canceled magazines to other areas of the company.

Xbox World announced its closure on Facebook, writing, "In all seriousness - we're really, really sad to see the mag end. We've always had loads of fun making it, and we hope you've had fun reading it. We're working on the final issue now, cramming in as many fond memories of the mag as we can."

This year Future US announced it would shut down Nintendo Power and PlayStation: The Official Magazine, both with final issues planned for this holiday.

UK magazines Xbox World, PSM3 ceasing publication by December originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Power remembered

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:55:00 EST

Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to remember Nintendo Power. Not its passing, but its life. Nintendo Power will conclude 24 years of publication with a final issue this December. We've experienced the loss of many magazines over the years, but Nintendo Power's conclusion is different for many of us. Directly attached to childhood memories of so many, it was the publication of both the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES at the dawn of the console era, with children of the late 80s and early 90s eagerly awaiting the magazine's arrival every month.

We've gathered some fond Nintendo Power memories from today's media after the break. Please feel free to share your happy memories too.

Continue reading Nintendo Power remembered

Nintendo Power remembered originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Power coming to an end

Jordan Mallory — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST

Nintendo has chosen not to renew its licensing agreement with Future Publishing (the company that currently produces Nintendo Power) and has no intentions to take over the publication itself, according to insider sources speaking to Ars Technica. A now-deleted tweet from NP staff suggested this was accurate.

Reportedly "difficult to work with," Nintendo is said to have taken no interest in working with Future on expanded online initiatives to strengthen the Nintendo Power brand. Editors and staff members were told that the magazine would be shut down sometime last week and have since begun transitioning to other Future publications, according to Ars Technica's source.

We've reached out to Future Publishing and Nintendo for comment. Originally launching in 1988, Nintendo Power was run in-house by Nintendo until the property was licensed to Future in 2007.

Nintendo Power coming to an end originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future US eliminates 19 jobs, not shuttering any brands

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST

Future Publishing US eliminated 19 jobs today as part of overall changes taking place at the company. None of its brands, which include Nintendo Power, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, OXM and @Gamer, will be discontinued.

"Future US is currently working to reposition itself in the marketplace to transform the company from an old school publisher to a hybrid publisher," Future COO Rachelle Considine told Joystiq. "While many 'old school' publishing companies and outlets have folded completely, Future US is in process of retooling and reshaping the organization to succeed, and thrive in the digital era."

Future announced late last year that it was merging its US and UK operation, following the resignations of its CEO and CFO.

Future US eliminates 19 jobs, not shuttering any brands originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Europe's 'NintendoTV' now streaming outside of Wii and 3DS systems

JC Fletcher — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:00:00 EST

Now you can watch Future Publishing and Nintendo's "NintendoTV" without having to buy a European Wii or 3DS. The show has been relaunched, and with that relaunch comes a fancy new YouTube embed, so you can see footage of big new Nintendo games, coverage of launch events, and other such fun stuff ... right here, in this post!

Watch it yourself to see how it compares to the "Nintendo Week" available through North American Wiis, and the "Nintendo Show 3D" you can watch through the 3DS eShop. Alternately, marvel at the existence of three different Nintendo-produced video programs available through consoles, which you quite likely have never heard of.

Europe's 'NintendoTV' now streaming outside of Wii and 3DS systems originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Publishing combining UK and US branches

David Hinkle — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:01:00 EST

Following the departure of its CEO and CFO, Future Publishing's new CEO, Mark Wood, has a plan: The UK-based company will combine resources with its US branch, merging the two together. Wood hopes this move will "enable us to operate more efficiently and return the U.S. business to profitability." Future's US branch is responsible for Nintendo Power, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, OXM and @Gamer, among others.

Future has been planning to shift its resources away from print to online for a few months now, following significant year-over-year losses. "The changes will also mean that we can accelerate our transition to a digital business model and start to sell our entire range of digital content to high-value audiences in the U.S. and other key markets," Wood added.

Future Publishing combining UK and US branches originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Publishing CEO and CFO quit

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:25:00 EST

With the end of Future Publishing's fiscal year fast approaching on November 24, and the news not expected to be good, the company's chief executive Stevie Spring and chief financial officer John Bowman have resigned.

"The recent restructuring which positions the company for its digital future has allowed the Board this opportunity to achieve substantial savings by eliminating an entire tier of corporate overhead," Future said in a statement. The company's stock has dropped 60 percent this year.

The company ominously announced late last month that it was "considering a wider range of strategic options in respect of its US operations." Future US's magazine business currently includes all three official console magazines, PC Gamer and Best Buy's @Gamer. The company stated in July it plans to take the US to a primarily digital model.

Future Publishing CEO and CFO quit originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony and Future creating new UK PS3 video show to replace FirstPlay

JC Fletcher — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:30:00 EST

Sony and Future Publishing's PlayStation Network-exclusive show, FirstPlay, may have ended on July 6, but it doesn't mark the end of original HD offerings on PS3 from the partnership. CVG reports that Sony and Future are already working on a new PS3 show.

No details about the actual content (or the name) have been announced, but Future's Entertainment Group Publisher Simon Maxwell said that production is "well under way," and that the show is "HD video magazine content," much like FirstPlay and North America's Qore.

While those of you in the UK (or with accounts on that region's PSN) wait for news on the new show, let this scintillating marketing speak from SCE UK Marketing Director Alan Duncan build your anticipation: "This is a great content initiative which forms a key part of SCEUK's strategy to reward and engage with our consumers in a more meaningful way."

Sony and Future creating new UK PS3 video show to replace FirstPlay originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK's PC Zone magazine shutting down after 17 years

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

The UK's first PC gaming magazine, PC Zone, will end its 17-year, 225-issue run in September. Future Publishing is closing the magazine following a "strategic review," which probably had something to do with the magazine's sales of 11,000 copies a month.

Both the BBC and Guardian have full articles on the magazine's demise and legacy. In a statement, Future Publishing stated it will focus its efforts on "market leader" PC Gamer going forward, which has twice the circulation of PC Zone.

UK's PC Zone magazine shutting down after 17 years originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy formally announces @Gamer magazine

David Hinkle — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Remember when ex-Joystiq writer Kyle Orland spilled the beans on a potential magazine from Best Buy, dubbed @Gamer? Future Publications has formally announced a partnership with the yellow tag retailer to produce @Gamer, which is set to be offered in-store later this month.

The angle of the mag is both as a provider of editorial content and of "valuable savings" to customers. "@Gamer will cover the best 30-40 games and hardware items available each month in an easy-to-digest format, while offering at least $20 worth of exclusive offers redeemable at Best Buy locations," the press release states. William O'Neal will handle EIC duties for the mag -- a former correspondent for G4's Attack of the Show -- while the aforementioned Andy Eddy will serve as executive editor.

Now here's the bad news: @Gamer won't be free. The new mag will support a subscription plan (10 issues for $19.99) or a $5.99-per-issue cost in-store.

Best Buy formally announces @Gamer magazine originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy taps Future US for new game mag: @Gamer

David Hinkle — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:00:00 EST

Andy Eddy seems like a regular guy. He's got some sweet scruff and nothing on his Facebook page looks out of the ordinary, so -- wait, what's this? Apparently Mr. Eddy is "working at Future US in the Future Plus group on a new publication called @Gamer, the 'official games magazine of Best Buy.'" For real?

It's news to us and certainly the first that Kyle Orland, ex-Joystiq blogger and devilishly handsome chap who noticed the blurb, has heard about it. While we're inclined to point out the obvious to Best Buy (uh, game mags are pretty dead, bro), we're interested in seeing how far this will go. Real editorial content or a glorified shopper's guide? We can't wait to find out!

[Via The Game Beat]

Best Buy taps Future US for new game mag: @Gamer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All but one Future publication saw circulation dip in 2009

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:01:00 EST

[Image credit: benben]

Can you guess which of Future Publishing's nine magazines didn't lose readership in 2009? If your money was with Edge, you've got our permission to give yourself a nice big pat on the back. Go ahead, we'll wait. Done? Good. Like we were saying, the UK game mag publisher saw shrinking circulation numbers in 2009 -- the same year that saw the closure of PlayStation World by Future and the shuttering of long-running US gaming mag EGM by Ziff-Davis.

While Edge circulation numbers rose by (a somewhat meager) 109 readers, Games Master dropped by 6,636 (to 34,313), PC Zone by 7,666 (to 11,357), and Xbox World 360 by 5,156 (to 25,874). While those numbers might seem a bit on the low side, that has more to do with the smaller size/population of the UK than anything else (though, of course, dropping readership numbers don't mean good things for any publication house).

According to the GamesIndustry.biz report, Future blames the circulation drops on "slowing sales and ad spend [advertisers spending on print advertising]." We've dropped the entire list of circulation numbers after the break (care of the UK Audit Bureau of Circulations), should you be so inclined to peruse all the stats.

Continue reading All but one Future publication saw circulation dip in 2009

All but one Future publication saw circulation dip in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future's UK numbers down in 2008, 19 laid off from US offices [update]

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:02:00 EST

Gamesindustry.biz reports that Future Publishing's numbers in the UK were almost uniformly down in 2008. The only magazines in the publisher's stable that saw sizable increases in readership were Playstation: The Official Magazine and PSW (which is unofficial, incidentally). Playstation: The Official Magazine in particular did well, adding over 7,500 new readers. The only other magazine to see any growth at all was Official Nintendo Magazine, which increased its readership by an incredible 41 people. All other Future gaming publications in the UK, including stalwarts like PSM 3, Edge, Official Xbox Magazine and PC Gamer, saw significant decreases in readership.

Additionally, VG247 is reporting that 19 employees are being laid off from Future's San Francisco and New York offices. A Future UK spokesperson referred to the laid off employees as "redundancies," saying, "These changes were made in line with Future's stated strategy of focusing on structure and costs in a severe global economic downturn." The report does not specify which departments the layoffs affected.

The news comes in the wake of lower revenues and readerships for Future's US publications and an increase in users on Future's websites. It raises the question: Just what kind of future there is for Future's print business?

(Update: We've confirmed via a Future US employee -- who wishes to remain anonymous -- that none of the 19 positions eliminated were from editorial. Sales and marketing were the only departments affected.)

Source -- VG247 - Future lays off 19 staff from SF and NY offices
Source -- gi.biz - Circulations slide for majority of Future games magazines

Future's UK numbers down in 2008, 19 laid off from US offices [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future's future in print not looking bright in the US

Jem Alexander — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:30:00 EST

Despite an uptick in UK magazine sales it seems that Future Publishing is not seeing quite as encouraging numbers in the US. Its magazines in the region (Nintendo Power and the official Microsoft and Sony mags) have seen the company's revenue fall by 2% over the last three months, calling into question how sustainable that particular medium is in the current economic climate.

Print advertising revenues fell by 4% during the same period, while online advertising revenue increased by 25%. 2 million new users have been accessing its web content (which includes GamesRadar) since September, bringing the total to over 20 million. A far larger reach than is realistically possible with a magazine. All the signs are pointing to the death of print media in the US; you need only think back a few weeks to the closure of EGM to realize that.

Future is putting on a brave face, stating that it will "remain confident that we're in the best shape we can be to deal with whatever challenges lie ahead and are on track to deliver against expectations for the full year." The company's gaming section is proving to be less resilient to the economic crisis than its other sectors, such as music or technology. With almost a third of its entire library devoted to video games, however, this decline is certainly troubling.

Future's future in print not looking bright in the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Killzone 2 reviewed in this month's OPM UK

Jem Alexander — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Looking to find out the real scoop on Killzone 2? It'll be a little while before our review is up, but the UK won't have to wait that long. The first UK magazine review will be revealed in the next issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine, which will be on shelves on Tuesday, January the 20th. That's tomorrow, in case you're wondering.

To make the event even more special the magazine will come in a "highly collectible" holographic wallet, complete with a Helghast trooper which changes color as it catches the light. That should tide you over until Killzone 2's release on February 27th, right? If not, don't forget the demo will be out shortly before then.

[Via Press Release]

Killzone 2 reviewed in this month's OPM UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Publishing experiences increase in gaming mag sales

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Business

If you're an aspiring print gaming journalist, you could probably use a hug right about now. The recent, foreseen collapse of EGM served as undeniable evidence that that particular periodical niche isn't exactly thriving -- but everything isn't doom and gloom in the gaming mag universe. Future Publishing, owner of PlayStation: The Official Magazine and the Official Xbox Magazine, recently divulged a few surprising facts in their preliminary annual finance report -- despite near-universal hardships for the rest of the magazine industry, Future's profits and circulation numbers soared in 2008.

In an interview with MCV, Future CEO Stevie Spring chalks the success up to the strength of the industry that many of Future's magazines cover -- console video games. According to Spring, readers of the console-specific mags were "aided and abetted by all three consoles being in uplift mode the world over." Sadly, the same can't be said for The Official Ceramic Cat Magazine, one of Future's lesser-known specialty publications.

Future Publishing experiences increase in gaming mag sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Simply Knitting mag shows how to knit a Sackperson

Majed Athab — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Community

All right kids, if you want a really good homemade Sackboy or Sackgirl then you better get Grandma a copy of Simply Knitting issue 49. The British magazine has a spread all about how to knit a Sackperson for your personal enjoyment. The loveable little tike which is featured in the mag can be seen posted above; it's a design made by Alan Dart. If you're thinking of making one and picking up a copy, be prepared to shell out £4.49.

[via press release]

Simply Knitting mag shows how to knit a Sackperson originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony and Future create clever yet eerie Resistance 2 ads

Majed Athab — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Sony and Future360 team up to create 50s style news bulletin to advertise Resistance 2. Featured ads running in local UK newspapers all this month and in nine Future Publishing mags including Official PlayStation Magazine, PlayStation Magazine 3 and T3. Read all about it!

"America Under Attack," headlines read! Eight detailed pages explain how the Chimera won San Francisco, Chicago. Extra! Read all about it! Only five cents, sir.

[via press release]

Continue reading Sony and Future create clever yet eerie Resistance 2 ads

Sony and Future create clever yet eerie Resistance 2 ads originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official Nintendo Magazine launching down under

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Cheer up, Aussies and Kiwis -- even though your local Club Nintendo appears to have gone completely AWOL (checking ... nope, still nothing), you'll shortly be getting your very own version of Official Nintendo Magazine, basically the UK equivalent of Nintendo Power. That's ... almost as good. Right?

Like its Brit cousin, Official Nintendo Magazine - Australia and New Zealand will be assembled by the talented folks at Future, the same name behind such excellent time-wasting periodicals as N64 Magazine, Amiga Power, and Arcade, and who currently churn out Edge. The first issue, a special edition no less, should be hitting shelves in December for AU$8.95.

[Via press release]

Official Nintendo Magazine launching down under originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Europe's Qore dubbed Official PlayStation Magazine HD

Majed Athab — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Downloads, PlayStation Network, News

Back in September we got word that a European version of Qore would hit sometime in 2009. We now know a few more details regarding the service. Revealed by a Future Publishing job listing, the digizine will be called "Official PlayStation Magazine HD." It's not as original as "Qore," but at least it'll easily find its audience.

The service, as described by the job listing, will be a "new weekly paid-for download delivered direct to PS3 owners via the PlayStation Network Store." It sounds a lot like Qore, except for that "weekly" bit.

[Via Kotaku, thanks Wilester!]

Europe's Qore dubbed Official PlayStation Magazine HD originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future making Qore-like PS3 product for UK

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3

Future Publishing and Sony UK announced today that it will deliver an "on-console digital magazine" for Europe in early 2009. The thing doesn't have a name, but for all intents and purposes it sounds like Future's US digital magazine, Qore.

This would explains why Qore hasn't been available to the European audience since it launched back in June. No word yet if the UK version will have a new host or if Veronica Belmont will be taking lessons from a dialect coach for the gig.

Future making Qore-like PS3 product for UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European Qore-a-like coming in 2009

Jem Alexander — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:20:00 EST

Filed under: News

Sony UK and Future Publishing have today announced that they will be working together to deliver an "on-console digital magazine" for the PSN in the region. It doesn't have a name yet, but chances are it will be very similar to Qore, which is also produced by Future Publishing in the US. This magazine will be made available in the UK in early 2009, with other European countries getting their hands on it later in the year. Hopefully we'll get some more solid date and price info soon.

It will feature "news, reviews, features and downloadable content on games, movies and more." Which sounds very similar to Qore (except for reviews, perhaps). We suspect this will be well received once it's released. Europeans have been asking for a Qore of their own for months, and it seems Sony has been listening. We're just wondering who the British equivilent of Veronica Belmont is going to be ...

[Via press release]

European Qore-a-like coming in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next-gen.biz to become Edge Magazine Online

Kyle Orland — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Hacks, Business

GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that Future's news portal Next-Gen.biz will be re-branded as the online version of the prestigious British magazine Edge on Monday, just in time for E3. There's no word on whether the change will affect the site's editorial focus, but Future spokesman Will Guyatt told GI.biz that the newly branded site will "do what Edge has done for year's in print, but online." Great news for those of us who love the magazine's thoughtful content but don't want to shell out the big bucks to import a subscription.

Next-Gen has been reprinting selected Edge magazine articles online since last May, and the magazine's previous web address currently redirects to Next-Gen's site. The move represents the re-death of the Next Generation brand, which was originally put out to pasture with the closing of the well-respected American magazine in 2001. On the plus side, when someone says "next-gen" from now on, we won't have to parse whether they mean the adjective or the web site. That was getting confusing!

Next-gen.biz to become Edge Magazine Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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