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Interview: EGM Now's Steve Harris

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 11th 2009 at 3:25PM }

Following the closure of Electronic Gaming Monthly by parent company Ziff Davis Media earlier this year (after nearly 20 years in the game industry), the magazine's original founder Steve Harris repurchased the rights and promised a rebirth for EGM. We ran into Harris at E3 2009 and cajoled him into speaking with us about his purchase. (He was a bit busy with business at E3, as you might imagine, thus we're talking a few months later.)

Though we're still a little ways off from the mag's December 1 "return," he gave us a few hints of what to expect, his explanation of how EGM Now will succeed financially where "old EGM" failed, and a few of his favorite games on the current-gen systems.

Hit the break for the whole thing.

Continued →

Harris planning on Dec. 1 return for EGM

by Justin McElroy { Aug 27th 2009 at 9:30AM }

If you grew up on gaming magazines like we did, the landscape of industry journalism has probably felt a little ... weird since the closure of Electronic Gaming Monthly. According to a tweet from founder and new owner Steve Harris, the gap will be filled (in some shape or form) on December 1, when the magazine is slated to make its return.

Though we can't help but be a little nervous about the whole thing, we're excited to see what the reborn EGM will look like. Our hope? Exactly like Maxim.

Preteen's mom ticked about Maxim/EGM swap

by Justin McElroy { Aug 11th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Had we been consulted, we would have told the parties responsible that fulfilling subscriptions of the now-defunct EGM with the dumb man's Playboy (Maxim) was a pretty crummy idea. Now we've got some evidence of that courtesy of Kathleen O'Donnell, who's none too happy that her 12-year-old Jake has received two issues of Maxim, despite her requests that it stop. "When I saw it, I didn't think it was a magazine my son should be looking at," she told CBS affiliate WBZ.

It's a cruddy situation all around, but we'd like to give a small protip to young Jake: If someone starts sending you pictures of half-naked ladies, keep that to yourself.

[Via The Escapist]

Steve Harris hints at the future of the reborn EGM

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 5th 2009 at 3:00PM }

When Electronic Gaming Monthly closed its doors back in January, it not only left behind an issue that never got published but also a brand that gamers everywhere easily recognized. The magazine's original founder, Steve Harris, recently bought back the rights to the magazine (as well as online rights), and this week he spoke with Publishing Executive to detail a bit of his plans for his new venture.

"The new Electronic Gaming Monthly will let you take your magazine and its content from print to computer to wireless devices -- even to your television," he says in the piece, continuing, "Content will be delivered via a digital device included with each issue." He doesn't go on to explain whether he means a thumb drive or a CD or what, but we're just as curious as you are to know more about the rebirth of a magazine we grew up reading -- and hated after hours spent trying to find Sheng Long. Curse you, early-to-mid-90s game magazine editors!

[Via Bitmob]

Here's your new issue of EGM! It's called Maxim

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 22nd 2009 at 9:30PM }

click to embiggen ... the full image

While some folks wait to subscribe to the reanimated EGM later this year, those who currently have a subscription to the deceased periodical have begun receiving their replacement magazine: Maxim. Yes, the mag that controversially scored 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand higher than Killzone 2 and Street Fighter IV is clearly the right replacement for the demographic.

A note on the issue of Maxim arriving in mailboxes states that the balance of customers' paid EGM subscription will be fulfilled by the ~~engorging~~ engaging mag. Have fun, boys! And, um, sorry to any of those female subscribers. We're sure you'll love all those articles Maxim is famous for.

[Thanks, Dan]

EGM sold to original founder, resumes publication this year

by Jem Alexander { May 29th 2009 at 10:00PM }

Electronic Gaming Monthly, which died when UGO bought out the 1UP brand in January, is being resurrected by its original founder, Steve Harris. Harris, who started EGM in 1989, has regained the print and online publishing rights from Ziff Davis Media as part of an undisclosed agreement. Harris intends to relaunch the magazine in the second half of 2009 and says he has "exciting plans for the evolution of what will once again be a leading independent voice for the gaming community."

There's no word yet on whether ex-EGM staff will be making a return to the magazine, or if Harris is in talks with UGO to re-establish a partnership with 1UP, but more details are due to be revealed during E3 next week. We guess in this case print really isn't dead.

Former EGMer Dan Hsu launches new video show, Cut Scene

by Justin McElroy { Feb 5th 2009 at 3:29AM }

Though he wasn't ousted by the 1UPocolypse, we're always happy to see a former EGM-er land on his feet. That's the good news we got today when Game Cinema HD revealed their new show, "Cut Scene," starring real-life sweethearts Raychul Moore and former EGM editor-in-chief Dan Hsu.

We're a little cautious of the show's proposed formula, which seems to be a blend of video game talk and inter-couple strife, but we'll hold out judgment until the first episode of the show (which is specifically designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch) appears.

Dan Hsu working on new project with ex-EGM/1UP staff

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 21st 2009 at 5:55PM }

Looks like the alums of the EGM/1UP era aren't ready to call it quits. 1UP Show staff have already moved onto a new video project, CO-OP. Former EGM editor-in-chief Dan Hsu is also working on an unrelated project also featuring ex-EGM/1UP staff, as revealed on his personal blog. Demian Linn, former executive producer of The 1UP Show and GameVideos.com will be Shoe's primary business partner. Other ex-1UPers ready to contribute include Michael Donahoe, Greg Ford, Crispin Boyer, and Karen Chu, former "art star at 1UP.com."

Hsu is also calling up on the dedication of EGM fans by inviting donations on his blog. Contributions already made have gone toward covering the initial costs of starting this new venture. Hsu is currently looking for investors, a difficult prospect in this economic environment. "If you know any really rich people who would like to see a bunch of ex-EGM and 1UP guys get a new project off the ground, we could sure use the help," he notes in his blog. "This will be a legitimate, revenue-producing business."

[Update: We've made edits to reflect the following: Ms. Chu emailed to clarify that despite being referred to as the "art star at 1UP.com" she was not, in fact, the "art director." Additionally, our original post stated that the list of people, including Chu, would "join the staff" of Hsu's venture; we've clarified the freelance nature of this relationship.]

[Image]

Mega64 bids farewell to Evan Grant Mondesanto

by Griffin McElroy { Jan 18th 2009 at 12:15PM }

If you're not easily offended by simulated acts of canine brutality (this is already one of the strangest lead sentences we've ever written), then you may want to check out Mega64's touching tribute to the recently deceased Electronic Gaming Monthly, imbued in a video titled "Metaphors". It's a fairly comprehensive look at the grim business propositions that put the two-decade-old mag in the ground, and it's posted right after the break. It's just like, sitting there, alone. Go keep it company, won't you?

Continued →

Counting Rupees: Oh, magazine

by Geoffrey Brooks { Jan 16th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Each week Jeff Engel and Geoff Brooks contribute Counting Rupees, a column on the business behind gaming:

With the end of the holidays came the news that EGM is being shuttered. These are disappointing days for many people, not least the hard-working staff that contributed to the respected magazine. I think that the occasion probably merits a mention as much for its inevitability as its sadness.

In days in which even large, mainstream print publications are facing severe financial difficulties, it seems all too obvious that smaller, niche publications are going to face similar pressures. And gaming magazines seem to me to be among the most vulnerable, for several reasons.

Continued →

1UP's Shane Bettenhausen heads to Ignition Entertainment [updated]

by Christopher Grant { Jan 14th 2009 at 9:29PM }

First, a confession: our original headline for this post was "Shane turns down Sony PR job, goes with smaller publisher" – that is, until we heard the kids at Rebel FM jokingly suggest that blogs would use exactly that as a headline. Oh yeah, smart guys? Well, we didn't!

Moving on. So, 1UP's Shane Bettenhausen did turn down a Sony PR job ... several years ago. [Update: Shane writes that he "misspoke" and "never interviewed for the position" – so you can stop writing those scathing forum posts, platform conspiracy theorists.] Right now, the recently laid-off Bettenhausen has taken a gig as Director of Business Development (we call that BizDev, folks) at "smaller publisher" Ignition Entertainment. Says Bettenhausen: "they're not on the map as much as other big publishers." Then why take the position, when fellow 1UP alums have moved onto places like Bungie and 2K Boston? At Ignition, Bettenhausen would get to "choose which games to publish" – in other words, he'd rather be a big fish in a smaller pond. Not a bad plan. Up next from Ignition: Blue Dragon Plus for the DS.

To get the full story straight from Shane himself, tune into the latest Rebel FM podcast at around the one hour 21 minute mark. (Bonus: Listen for Shane's comment that the "rise of blogs – Kotaku and Joystiq – completely reshaped the landscape." Great! Now we can add "landscaper" to the old CV).

Final EGM issue to be 'printed' on 1UP

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jan 8th 2009 at 2:14PM }

R.I.P. Electronic Gaming Monthly
1989-2009

EGM's ~~departing~~ final editor-in-chief, James Mielke, has posted the magazine's last cover on his blog, revealing that the issue will be available to read (in hi-res) on 1UP. Protip: You can print it out and put it in your mailbox out of respect for the publication's demise.

Mielke's post goes on to discuss his eight-month stint in the captain's chair -- following the departure of longtime editor Dan Hsu -- and features candid images of the mag's final days. Toward the end of the piece, Mielke claims the EGM circulation was between 550-650K and its death "was simply a matter of UGO wanting a website, not a magazine."

Bonus: Here's an image of nearly every EGM cover, ever! [Via GameCulture]

Official: UGO buys 1UP, EGM dead [update]

by Randy Nelson { Jan 6th 2009 at 7:25PM }

Within hours of our earlier post regarding 1UP's reported sale to the Hearst-owned UGO network, the deal was confirmed in individual press releases from both entities. Additionally, Ziff-Davis has made official the closure of EGM after nearly 20 years of publication. It's January issue -- currently on sale -- will be its last.

1UP editorial director, Sam Kennedy, is quoted in the release, saying that the site's staff is "extremely excited to join the UGO team." UGO's release states that 1UP.com will operate as a separate entity and implies that its current staff will remain in place. The sale to Hearst also includes GameVideos.com, MyCheats.com and GameTab.com.

The shuttering of EGM -- the oldest multi-platform games magazine in the US -- leaves GamePro and Game Informer as the last bastions of what, with today's news, continues to be the dying breed of print media.

Update: There's not much in the way of new info, but Gamasutra got their mitts on an internal email from Ziff CEO Jason Young, who tells the staff that "more scale is necessary to effectively compete in this market segment." So UGO's planning to keep growing 1UP? Then why kill off the 1UP Show and layoff 30+ people? One other note: Ziff "will continue to operate the Filefront business as a part of the PCMag Digital Network." More as we hear it.

Source – Ziff-Davis press release
Source – UGO press release

PaidContent.org reports EGM's death, pulls story [update]

by Justin McElroy { Jan 6th 2009 at 5:45PM }

Update: As you can see here, it's official.

Earlier today, media business site paidContent.org reported that video game media hub 1UP had been sold to Hearst (which runs competing hub UGO), and that the organization would be shuttering Electronic Gaming Monthly. You may remember that we reported that both moves were under discussion last month. PaidContent's report has since been pulled, but the full details were related by former 1UPer John Davison's What They Play. WTP then reported that sources had told them that the story would be validated or denied tomorrow.

If this is on the level (and we have no reason to think it's not), it's a sad day for fans of video game magazines and game journalism in general. If it comes to pass, here's hoping everyone affected lands on their feet.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Is Going To Be Awesome

by Justin McElroy { Jan 6th 2009 at 2:54PM }

A Play in One Act
by Electronic Gaming Monthly

Lights rise at Raven HQ on X-Men Origins: Wolverine Project Lead Dan Vondrak, sporting a Marvel T-shirt.

VONDRAK. I've read reviews of Wolverine games, I've played previous X-Men games, and you just hate it when you're like, 'This isn't what it's supposed to be like to fight this guy. I'm Wolverine. How come I can't ever just grab a guy and rip him in half?' Yeah, absolutely -- let's do that. Nothing's holding us back.

Curtain.