EGM Closes, 1up sold to UGO [Archive] - Retrogaming Roundtable

swlovinist

01-06-2009, 09:13 PM

I never like it when mags go out, espically one that used to be so dear to my heart. As a very longtime subscriber(since like issue #7), I have seen this one a longtime coming. The mag the last two to three years was just not the same, and with each more change that they did, it just got smaller and smaller. It just could not keep up with content and coverage. I also subscribe to Gamepro and Game Informer, but will miss the mag for its glory days in the 90s when it was the #1 source for game info I got. R.I.P. EGM, you had a good run.

icest0rm

01-06-2009, 09:16 PM

I miss the game reviews by "Sushi-X" of the early '90s.

bangtango

01-06-2009, 09:27 PM

I miss the game reviews by "Sushi-X" of the early '90s.

My favorite review crew was Steve Harris, Ed Semrad, Martin Alessi and Sushi X.

boatofcar

01-06-2009, 09:34 PM

This sucks. I loved the 1Up Podcasts and looked forward to them every week.

For those who pine for nice print magazines, Play and Retro Gamer are both excellent. Both are also from the UK which makes subscription a little pricey, but well worth it imo.

demen999

01-06-2009, 09:45 PM

Damn, the year started with a bang there. I actually liked EGM.

erik

01-06-2009, 09:50 PM

It sucks that EGM is gone now. My first issue that I read was #25 with the SNES on the front cover. I had almost every issue from 1992-1995 when they were over 300 pages! I thought it was the best mag ever. I even purched the yearly 'Video game buyers guide' that they put out as of yearbook of industry events. Very cool indeed.

Remember Issue 100(Nov. 1997) where they did their 'Top 100 Games of All Time' list? That was, without a doubt, the best issue to ever be produced by them. So much effort, thought and hard work was poured into it to make a true gamer's issue. They did another Top 100 list in Issue 150(Jan. 2002) and it was nearly as good, but not quite as in depth.

After Issue 150, the magazine quality started to deteriorate and just felt bland. The Video game buyers guides no longer even reviewed consoles anymore, which I felt was a letdown. The internet had begun to take its toll by then I suppose. I felt their Issue 200 with the 'Top 200 games of their time was lame and sloppily put together, but I will always remember te good ol' days of EGM greatness.

I still stop by and read their Top 100 lists and their Videogame Buyers Guides when I feel like jogging down memory lane.....

gepeto

01-06-2009, 09:53 PM

I remember this mag sold me on the genesis. There preview of the upcoming genesis system was awesome. I was there through there mega 200 page issues to sushi x and habeeb the torturer.
What happes to out subs that we have left?

PapaStu

01-06-2009, 09:56 PM

joshnickerson

01-06-2009, 10:07 PM

I was never a big fan of EGM, but it still sucks when people lose jobs.

Aussie2B

01-06-2009, 10:21 PM

While I can't claim to be a big fan of their recent issues, it's very depressing to have such a long-running magazine, that was basically the giant of its field, go under. Video game print magazines are dying left and right. What the heck is left at this point?

Online gaming news sites will NEVER replace print magazines. If all you want is "hey, so-and-so game has been announced, it'll be released at so-and-so date, and we give it a blah out of 10" great, but if print magazines disappear, say good bye to insightful, well-researched, well-written articles that delve into all aspects of gaming that take love and care, skill and talent, and, most importantly, time to produce. Most people take writing for granted because just about everyone can do it, by to write WELL and to be a good journalist is something most cannot.

Fuyukaze

01-06-2009, 10:25 PM

Havent cared for the mag sense the late 90's and I'll shed no tears from their parting. EGM had a good start but just failed to impress once they became nothing more then the great Sony hype machine.

Sudo

01-06-2009, 10:29 PM

Absolutely terrible news. EGM has always been the best videogame magazine IMO, even though they haven't been as good as they were the past couple years. I'm more upset over the fact that nearly everyone with any talent is leaving 1up, which means no more podcasts or 1up Yours. 1up produced the best gaming podcasts on the Internet, and had good reviews as well. I know I'll never be visiting the site again after this shit.

Cobra Commander

01-06-2009, 10:39 PM

I still have my EGM "In your face!" T-shirt from 57 years ago when I first subscribed.
RIP....:(

BHvrd

01-06-2009, 10:41 PM

EGM used to be really good, but I stopped buying it when I realized how little content there was in the magazine.

You gotta be kidding. There were plenty of ads to read! :D

Jorpho

01-06-2009, 10:45 PM

I wasn't aware there were still people with fondness for EGM in its current state. I never paid much attention to it, though.

I'd hate to see 1Up go the same way as Gamespy or Gamesdomain - but then, I wouldn't really miss it much given how little attention I paid to it. Still, on those rare occasions, I found it to be a source of nifty, clever, well-written articles. Where the heck is Solid Sharkey these days, anyway?

NEOFREAK9189

01-06-2009, 10:45 PM

There goes my subscription for 3 years
you mo..... fu....
welcome GAMEPRO

Streetball 21

01-06-2009, 10:49 PM

This was the only magazine I actually bought and read. It's sad to hear this, but like others stated, I saw it coming. The magazine was just getting thinner and thinner every month. I still remember buying my first issue, #29 at the mall. Thanks for the memories...

2Dskillz

01-06-2009, 11:19 PM

If you think it was nothing but fluff, you probably have not read any from the last year or two. Seriously the state of gaming in Japan issue released earlier this year was one of the best realized magazines I have read. From cover to cover it follows a wonderful cohesive theme and offered many insight you would have never seen otherwise.

DrKwack

01-06-2009, 11:21 PM

Sad to see it go. It did have a good run.

Icarus Moonsight

01-06-2009, 11:24 PM

Good riddance. :fist:

Damaramu

01-06-2009, 11:34 PM

Damn. I enjoy listening to the podcasts at work. The magazine, in it's current state, made for good toilet reading. Ah well.

Rob2600

01-06-2009, 11:40 PM

I remember in the late 1990s, there was EGM, Game Fan, GamePro, Next Generation, Game Informer, and Gamers' Republic. What's left?

(Not that any of them were ever that great.)

Push Upstairs

01-06-2009, 11:58 PM

Who knew Gamepro would outlive them?

I can't say I'll shed a tear for them though, they haven't really been all that great since circa 1994.

Fuyukaze

01-07-2009, 12:00 AM

I remember in the late 1990s, there was EGM, Game Fan, GamePro, Next Generation, Game Informer, and Gamers' Republic. What's left?

(Not that any of them were ever that great.)

I considered Gamers' Republic and Next Generation to be the better of the lot. GR tended to give reviews I found spot on and didnt pull punches just because it was from a popular company of for a popular system. While I believe that led to their downfall, to me it had better cred then EGM had for the past 10 years. I know many of the staff went on to join up with other gaming mags, many of which are no longer in print, but it has always remained one of the few I considered worth reading.

Rob2600

01-07-2009, 12:06 AM

I considered Gamers' Republic and Next Generation to be the better of the lot.

You're right. I know the staff at both magazines tried to cover video games in a more intelligent and mature manner. Sometimes they succeeded.

If I remember correctly, the staff of GamePro used goofy avatars and pseudonyms in the magazine. I hated that.

kedawa

01-07-2009, 12:09 AM

I stopped reading EGM when they got greedy and started splitting their content across two monthly mags (EGM and EGM2) in order to sell more advertising.
I stopped reading game mags altogether after Next Generation and Gamefan when tits up.

Policenaut

01-07-2009, 12:31 AM

I will miss this mag, for me it's sad to see it go. I have been an avid EGM reader since issue 9 and did read EGM until it ended. The days of the review crew of Senrad, Harris, Alessi and Sushi-X were splendid, I also think that Hsu did a magnificent job, sadly Mielke did not had enough time as editor-in-chief with EGM but managed to pull out some great issues, specially #232 (Japan Special!). A good trip while it lasted, now I sadly have to say Good Bye Electronic Gaming Monthly.

skaar

01-07-2009, 12:55 AM

It's all the Wii's fault.

Somehow.

DigitalSpace

01-07-2009, 01:12 AM

Well, this is the third gaming magazine that's folded while I was a subscriber (the other two were Tips & Tricks and OPM). Fortunately, all of my subs were from free offers (and the remainder of my OPM sub was added to my EGM sub).

And it makes Maxim the last magazine I have a subscription to (another free sub that doesn't expire until January 2012 - well, as long as that magazine doesn't fold first).

But I have to admit that, while I'll miss EGM, I don't carry much nostalgia for it due to the fact that I rarely read it back in the day. However, as I said in another thread, I liked reading EGM during work breaks and on the bus. I almost always flipped to the retro section first, followed by the rumor mill, the reviews, and then whatever else caught my eye.

So long, EGM, and thanks for the memories.

CelticJobber

01-07-2009, 01:40 AM

I started reading EGM around 1991. I used to love the International coverage of Super Famicom games.

It was great at one point, but it really went downhill in the last few years, and I hated it when they switched to an alphabetical rating system.

My subscription ran out after the Japan special (my favorite issue in years) but I didn't renew because I had a feeling it was about to fold. Since it was one of the most established and respected gaming mags, I wish Ziff Davis could've sold it to another publisher.

Fans of EGM might be interested in former editor in chief Dan "Shoe" Hsu's blog (sorethumbsblog.com) currently he's running the "Ex-EGM Awards" where several former EGM writers pick their year end favorites.

G-Boobie

01-07-2009, 02:38 AM

This sucks. I loved the 1Up Podcasts and looked forward to them every week.

Me too.

UGO fucked up. What kept most people interested in the 1UP media business was the people who worked there.... Who have all been fired.

Sam Kennedy gets to try and keep a website built by the personalities of people who no longer work there going. I wish him luck, but I think I'm outta there. No Milky, Shane, Fitch, Kolar or Suttner? No thanks.

boatofcar

01-07-2009, 02:40 AM

Anybody want to recommend some good VG podcasts? By good I mean as good as the 1Up Podcasts.

Richter Belmount

01-07-2009, 02:46 AM

Anybody want to recommend some good VG podcasts? By good I mean as good as the 1Up Podcasts.

Mega64 is one of my favorite podcasts however sometimes its more about the crew and their sketches than games , but they give some good opinions on games movies and music. And Cheap Ass Gamer but of course I don't think there is anything much thats on the same calibur as the 1up show.

G-Boobie

01-07-2009, 02:50 AM

Anybody want to recommend some good VG podcasts? By good I mean as good as the 1Up Podcasts.

Giant Bombcast is pretty good. Gamer's With Jobs is also pretty decent.

That about covers it.

rbudrick

01-07-2009, 02:56 AM

I've never missed an issue since issue 1. I'll never forget seeing the first issue in Toys R Us and drooling over the 16 bit stuff. This mag was so dear to my heart in the beginning and into the mid to late 90s. I never liked the mag as much from around the late 90s onward, but I still always read it. In the mid 90s the mag got progressively worse, but I still just couldn't let go, although the content was largely not there.

I think the maverick quality of the early issues is what made me fall in love with it.

RIP indeed, EGM. You were an aging old man and now, sadly, you're dead.

-Rob

j_factor

01-07-2009, 03:57 AM

I remember in the late 1990s, there was EGM, Game Fan, GamePro, Next Generation, Game Informer, and Gamers' Republic. What's left?

(Not that any of them were ever that great.)

Your list is missing a few -- remember EGM2 (which became Expert Gamer), Ultra Game Players, Intelligent Gamer, and (especially) Tips & Tricks? I really liked Next Generation, Game Fan, T&T, and Gamers' Republic.

Right now we have Game Informer, Gamepro, Play, and Hardcore Gamer. None are great. I enjoy Play for the layout and some of the writing, but they're not nearly critical enough (seriously, Halverson hasn't disliked a single game since Sonic the Hedgehog 360/PS3). I like a lot of the people involved in Hardcore Gamer, and they have some good articles, but on the whole it doesn't totally do it for me. Gamepro is atrocious. They sucked back in the day, and then somehow became decent for a while (I want to say '99-2003 or so), and now they suck again. Game Informer reads like a magazine on autopilot -- every issue's the same, just with different titles.

Icarus Moonsight

01-07-2009, 04:53 AM

Non-specific gaming print periodicals died, to me, when Gamer's Republic closed. Maybe it was just the trauma, but nothing seemed the same after that. Underground/PSM, ODCM and NP were all that was left afterward...

Gameboy Color

01-07-2009, 05:30 AM

I've never really had good luck with gaming magazines.

I stopped reading Nintendo Power when they started using clip art instead of creating the covers from scratch. Sega Visions was great, but short lived. T&T was good until I realized I was being ripped off (what with over half the book being the same database of cheats every month).

I really liked EGM2, but it went straight down the shitter after changing to Expert Gamer.

josekortez

01-07-2009, 05:46 AM

I'm happy about this since the magazine has sucked hard since it went completely mainstream in its game coverage. I remember the days when I happily looked forward to EGM when they used to include news about import games and such. Then, they got sucked under the bus and tried to pander to the masses like Gamepro and that was the beginning of the end for me. I still cherish those Dreamcast-era issues that I have in my collection, though.

boatofcar

01-07-2009, 06:07 AM

Giant Bombcast is pretty good. Gamer's With Jobs is also pretty decent.

That about covers it.

Downloaded both of those tonight. I'll give them a listen tomorrow.

Trebuken

01-07-2009, 06:31 AM

I agree the content was light but hell you could get a subscription for little to nothing. Even a bad issue of EGM is worth a dollar. Newstand price might be a stretch...it was good for what many of us were paying.

Also, I'm not much for podcasts...and the only one I have watched much of is this one:

http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/play-value/gaming-and-copyrights-extended?autoplay=true

OnNetworks. It's mostly retro, but professional and informative.

Rob2600

01-07-2009, 07:18 AM

Who else remembers the 1990 EGM Buyers' Guide? It featured the 16-bit showdown, with a side-by-side comparison of the Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, and...the Konix Multi System, which I recall had some sort of a chair peripheral.

kainemaxwell

01-07-2009, 07:49 AM

That's horrible. So Game Informer is like the last one standing?

Oobgarm

01-07-2009, 08:17 AM

Still got it in the mail and did enjoy reading what was there, even if it wasn't as good as the older stuff.

Fuck. :(

G-Boobie

01-07-2009, 08:46 AM

That's horrible. So Game Informer is like the last one standing?

Ain't THAT some serious shenanigans?

2Dskillz

01-07-2009, 08:53 AM

Hardcore Gamer is for sale on Ebay of all places right now. You can actually buy the copyrights, employee contracts, back issues whatever. It is starting at $42,000

bangtango

01-07-2009, 09:39 AM

That's horrible. So Game Informer is like the last one standing?

The irony here is that Game Informer was a complete joke during the heyday of EGM (the Steve Harris era) and Next Generation. They used to have cheesy issues that were about 35-40 pages which looked like a fanzine. I remember they also used to give issues away for free in a few different toy store chains. Reading those early GI issues, you would have never believed they'd still be around today. I thought they would have folded a long time ago.

Anyone who read the first few years of Game Informer (or longer) knows exactly what I'm talking about. They have come a long way from then and actually look like a professional magazine.

Oobgarm

01-07-2009, 09:53 AM

Isn't the Jason Wilson listed on the layoff list that's been floating around our very own DreamTR?

If so, that's no good.

Gentlegamer

01-07-2009, 10:19 AM

I'll miss the 1Up Yours and Broken Pixels podcasts. :(

Xian042

01-07-2009, 11:01 AM

joedick

01-07-2009, 11:36 AM

I'm happy about this since the magazine has sucked hard since it went completely mainstream in its game coverage.

That's fine if you didn't like the magazine in its current state. Just don't read it. I'm not sure why you'd be happy about lots of people losing their jobs though.

Nebagram

01-07-2009, 11:46 AM

I've only ever bought one copy of EGM but still this feels like the end of an era- and the beginning of the end for print gaming magazines. :-|

NEOFREAK9189

01-07-2009, 11:56 AM

Rob2600

01-07-2009, 12:15 PM

So nobody remembers the Konix Multi System?

bangtango

01-07-2009, 02:07 PM

That's fine if you didn't like the magazine in its current state. Just don't read it. I'm not sure why you'd be happy about lots of people losing their jobs though.

Agreed 100%. "Celebrating" the end of EGM and their employees being canned is simply embarrassing.

EGM was never the same after Steve Harris left. However, all of the people who worked on the magazine from then until today did work hard on it, whether or not you like the direction they took the magazine in.

Just because some of their writers were obvious fanboys or a little immature doesn't mean they didn't put in long hours/days getting the issue together each month.

They still had good articles, colums and interviews from time to time, usually at least one or two good pieces an issue. I particularly liked the interviews they did with head honchos from each of the three console makers regarding the battle between the Wii, 360 and PS3.

Aussie2B

01-07-2009, 02:20 PM

Hardcore Gamer is for sale on Ebay of all places right now. You can actually buy the copyrights, employee contracts, back issues whatever. It is starting at $42,000

Wow, it started as depressing, but now this situation is just getting pathetic. I could tell there were problems with Hardcore Gamer as they tried to move things more and more online, but I didn't think it would come to that. So of the mainstream magazines, now we're losing both the longest running and the highest quality one. I wasn't a huge fan of Hardcore Gamer, not enough to extend beyond my free subscription at least, but I always read each magazine cover to cover, which is far more than I could say about EGM and Game Informer and what have you. I actually know a few of the writers from various sites, so I hope they don't lose their jobs. At the very least, I hope DoubleJump keeps them around for strategy guide writing or something.

eskobar

01-07-2009, 02:34 PM

I have very fond memories of the Ed Semrad's EGM.

I still have the first numbers and almost every issue up to the Dan Hsu's era, where i feel the magazine took the wrong way.

EGM was my favorite magazine :D

zemmix

01-07-2009, 02:58 PM

I'm still more sad about Computer Gaming World (err Games for Windows) being gone. PC Gamer is all I have left now. Hope that one can survive!

RCM

01-07-2009, 03:03 PM

Isn't the Jason Wilson listed on the layoff list that's been floating around our very own DreamTR?

If so, that's no good.

I could be wrong, but I think it's a different JW.

Regardless, it sucks that these folks are losing their jobs, but I've never been a fan of EGM or 1UP. There are few writers with real appeal out there, which is sad.

j_factor

01-07-2009, 03:08 PM

Hardcore Gamer is for sale on Ebay of all places right now. You can actually buy the copyrights, employee contracts, back issues whatever. It is starting at $42,000

Wow. I hope whoever buys it keeps it going. If they don't, all we have left is GI, Gamepro, and Play. I'm actually really surprised Play is still around.

neist

01-07-2009, 04:21 PM

I havnt missed an issue of EGM since #7.
Even if the mag went downhill I still enjoyed getting them in the mail. Well worth $1 an issue.
What sucks the most is they axed pretty much the whole key staff of 1up. They didn't deserve that.
They say one last farewell issue is going out. At least they got to do that, most rags just stop once they are done.

Yea, that's what hit me hard. As someone who has a vested interest games journalism, this hits really close to home. There was some serious talent that they lost, and I really hope they can find jobs somewhere.

Granted, there's thousands of layoffs in every part of the country, but this it the first one that really 'hit' home with me. It wasn't just 40 odd people, they were a symbol that a group of talented people can do incredible things. Some of the features that 1up and EGM published--written by the very people laid off--are among my favorite video game writings of all time.

I better stop rambling though before I get myself depressed again.

2Dskillz

01-07-2009, 04:39 PM

The january issue (one with Wolverine on the cover) is the last issue. Those let go were escorted out by security, so I do not think we are going to see any kind of farewell.

I havnt missed an issue of EGM since #7.
Even if the mag went downhill I still enjoyed getting them in the mail. Well worth $1 an issue.
What sucks the most is they axed pretty much the whole key staff of 1up. They didn't deserve that.
They say one last farewell issue is going out. At least they got to do that, most rags just stop once they are done.

josekortez

01-07-2009, 04:51 PM

Agreed 100%. "Celebrating" the end of EGM and their employees being canned is simply embarrassing.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! It would be embarrassing if that's what I said, but I didn't say that.

When did I say that I was celebrating people losing jobs in my post? I said I was happy that the magazine was finito because the content has sucked consistently since they made the editorial changes to it.

bangotango and joedick, how do guys like you add 1 + 1 to equal 3 sometimes in these threads? If you’re going to defame me and make me out to be a beast, make sure that I actually made the statement first. Seriously…

acem77

01-07-2009, 05:04 PM

It's another sad day,
As I keep getting older things that have been familiar are slowly disappearing.

I was really sad when Gamefan(my room of doom got printed in one issue) died off, now EGM! I have never missed an issue since middle school.
The Genesis and Turbo grafx 16 where nextgen with the snes just around the corner.

It was like Christmas every day I came home and had a new issue.
I used one of their articles to make my choice and buy the genesis.
That issue had the guys from golden axe and legendary axe on a blue background.

I know I paid a few years ahead for my subscription.
I guess I have to eat that loss.
I could tell something was going down hill by how thin these last holiday issues where. In years past they had been mega thicker. This year it had been thinner some summer issues.

As every thing is going main stream I feel emotionally cheated.
I do not look forward to a day of everything be digitally distributed and being controlled by corporate America.

R.I.P. EGM
1st issue
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/magazines/2008/04/pdf-electronic-gaming-monthly-egm-issue-1-may-1989-pdf-download.html
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/2127517256_c49cff5497.jpg

acem77

01-07-2009, 05:09 PM

So nobody remembers the Konix Multi System?

I do, I remeber the artical in the EGM.

RPG_Fanatic

01-07-2009, 06:41 PM

Shit!

I just re-upped last month. At least it wasn't TOO expensive. I'm sure i'll get something in the mail soon enough offering me a awesome selection of new mags to replace my current subscription with.

I did it three months ago!!!! I hope they give my money back, R.I.P. EGM you'll be missed :sob: :bawling:

The 1 2 P

01-07-2009, 06:49 PM

Well, this is the third gaming magazine that's folded while I was a subscriber.

Consider yourself lucky. I've had to watch as my subscriptions to Next Generation, Incite Gamer, OPM, PSM, Tips and Tricks and now EGM all went up in smoke. My only subscriptions left are OXM, Play, Game Informer and Gamepro. I let my subscription to Playstation the official magazine expire a few months ago. That mag should be folding before the end of this year.

Hardcore Gamer is for sale on Ebay of all places right now. You can actually buy the copyrights, employee contracts, back issues whatever. It is starting at $42,000

Because I've only seen Hardcore Gamer for sale in a "few" Gamestops, that told me that it probably won't be around for long and thus I never subscribed to it. It too will be folding soon.

Just because some of their writers were obvious fanboys

You just described Gamepro perfectly. They have so many fanboys(especially Sid Shauman--king of Sony fanboyness) and it's one of the reasons why their magazine and website are such a joke. If you could only see how they try to spin stories in a certain company's favor. It's very sad.

I'm actually really surprised Play is still around.

I almost didn't renew my subscription because I thought they were headed out the door too. It's a very inciteful magazine and I love how they cover imports, anime and movies too. However, as someone else has said, they are way to generous with their game reviews. I think thats why they got rid of their scoring numbers because every magazine was guaranteed to have atleast three perfect scores in it. Thats just not possible, especially since they've been that way for the last three years.

Anyway, if the rest of the current mags have to fold---I hope Gamepro is next. Trust me, it's long over due. I still like Game Informer, Play and OXM. But Gamepro? They should have been the one that left instead of EGM.

RPG_Fanatic

01-07-2009, 07:04 PM

If the rest of the current mags have to fold---I hope Gamepro is next. Trust me, it's long over due. I still like Game Informer, Play and OXM. But Gamepro? They should have been the one that left instead of EGM.

I was thinking the same thing. How can Gamepro be still be around? I stopped reading that mag in the mid 90's. I thought EGM would have more readers than them.

misfits859

01-07-2009, 09:18 PM

I have read that you can call 800-779-1174 and get a refund on the remaining issues.

bangtango

01-07-2009, 09:59 PM

bangotango and joedick, how do guys like you add 1+ 1 to equal 3 sometimes in these threads? If you’re going to defame me and make me out to be a beast, make sure that I actually made the statement first. Seriously…

What "threads"? That implies I somehow misquoted you multiple times. Anyway, if I did then I'm sorry.

I didn't quote the rest of your post above. I agree 100% that the magazine had gone down the tubes in recent years.

However, EGM's very "worst" issues are still better than most magazines out there that you can get for $1 an issue with a paid subscription or in a free subscription (which was the case with a lot of us here).

As big as EGM's decline was, I'd still rather read a "bad" issue of EGM (or Sports Illustrated) than 90% of the stuff you'd find on a supermarket magazine rack.

bangtango

01-07-2009, 10:11 PM

Consider yourself lucky. I've had to watch as my subscriptions to Next Generation, Incite Gamer, OPM, PSM, Tips and Tricks and now EGM all went up in smoke. My only subscriptions left are OXM, Play, Game Informer and Gamepro. I let my subscription to Playstation the official magazine expire a few months ago. That mag should be folding before the end of this year.

I had subscriptions to Swatpro, VideoGames (VG & CE), Game Players, Sega Visions and Electronic Games (the 1990's version) go down the tubes when I was younger. I remember two or three of them being replaced by some other magazine but it still sucked.

I never subscribed to most of those others you used to get, my EGM subscription had just expired a few months ago and my Next Gen subscription ran out a couple years before they went under. I also stopped getting Game Informer and GamePro about a year or two ago, not because I was worried about them going under but because I haven't bought a 360, Wii or PS3 yet (so they are covering shitloads of games that I don't even own a system for).

2Dskillz

01-07-2009, 10:13 PM

EGM had about 550,000 subscribers as of its closing. UGO wanted the site, and Ziff just did not want to stay in the printing, print is just so hard to profit in. But EGM was not lacking readers.

Half Japanese

01-07-2009, 10:40 PM

EGM had about 550,000 subscribers as of its closing. UGO wanted the site, and Ziff just did not want to stay in the printing, print is just so hard to profit in. But EGM was not lacking readers.

Of course they weren't, just look how often they were giving subscriptions away. It seems like the new business model with magazines is just to give them away for anyone who can be bothered to fill out a form online and impress the advertisers with numbers, leaving newsstands to catch passers-by and folks who need something to read while on a trip/vacation/etc.

Print media isn't dead, but from what I've noticed at the store I work at (which is admittedly a very small and unscientific sample size), the niche magazines that know their core audience do the best month to month. Non-gaming examples, but we rarely ever send issues of Rue Morgue (horror), Hi Fructose (art), Decibel (metal), or Don Diva (rap) back to the distributor for return credit, and Rue Morgue even has a $10 price point that would break most mainstream mags. On the other hand, we almost always have leftover issues of the less-specialized and less-focused competition to the aforementioned titles. Fangoria (horror), Juxtapoz (art), Revolver ("metal"), and XXL (rap) always have copies sent back for credit.

j_factor

01-08-2009, 12:18 AM

Print media isn't dead, but from what I've noticed at the store I work at (which is admittedly a very small and unscientific sample size), the niche magazines that know their core audience do the best month to month. Non-gaming examples, but we rarely ever send issues of Rue Morgue (horror), Hi Fructose (art), Decibel (metal), or Don Diva (rap) back to the distributor for return credit, and Rue Morgue even has a $10 price point that would break most mainstream mags. On the other hand, we almost always have leftover issues of the less-specialized and less-focused competition to the aforementioned titles. Fangoria (horror), Juxtapoz (art), Revolver ("metal"), and XXL (rap) always have copies sent back for credit.

I don't think that works for gaming mags. If it did, GameGO would still be around. Now that was a niche magazine that knew their core audience.

segagamer

01-08-2009, 12:28 AM

I have read that you can call 800-779-1174 and get a refund on the remaining issues.

I have already tried that number, and refunds will only be processed if you ordered your subscription directly with EGM. I got mine through a publishers clearing house, and EGM said I have to go through the clearing house to obtain my refund. Don't think I will have any luck getting my money back on my 11 remaining issues.

darkslime

01-08-2009, 12:38 AM

I'm more sad that HGM is leaving.
But that's what they get for starting to only print it 4 times a year but still charge the same amount for a subscription...

CelticJobber

01-08-2009, 12:58 AM

The 1 2 P

01-08-2009, 01:45 AM

I have read that you can call 800-779-1174 and get a refund on the remaining issues.

I have already tried that number, and refunds will only be processed if you ordered your subscription directly with EGM.

Thats good to know. I'll give them a call tomorrow because my subscription wasn't set to expire until May of 2010.

josekortez

01-08-2009, 06:16 AM

What "threads"? That implies I somehow misquoted you multiple times. Anyway, if I did then I'm sorry.

I didn't quote the rest of your post above. I agree 100% that the magazine had gone down the tubes in recent years.

However, EGM's very "worst" issues are still better than most magazines out there that you can get for $1 an issue with a paid subscription or in a free subscription (which was the case with a lot of us here).

As big as EGM's decline was, I'd still rather read a "bad" issue of EGM (or Sports Illustrated) than 90% of the stuff you'd find on a supermarket magazine rack.

bangtango, when I mean threads, I was actually referring to the dozens of times that many people have tried to put words in my mouth by quoting my posts in numerous threads on this site since I joined many years ago that suggest I've said one thing when I've said something entirely different. I wasn't referring to you alone, although I simply lumped you in with others who have a tendency to do the same thing. I would just suggest that people read an entire post and don't try to read more into a statement than what the statement actually says.

However, as a person who works in the publishing arena right now, I'm not celebrating anyone's job loss in the publishing category. My corporation just laid off a group of people in December 2008, so I understand what it feels like to wonder whether you'll have a job or not due to budget cuts.

Still, since I do work in publishing, I understand that a magazine needs to have compelling content in order to sustain advertising revenue and give people a reason to subscribe, which in turn helps to increase that magazine's circulation or subscription numbers which in turn gives advertisers an incentive to run their ads in that publication because they feel the publication has a strong enough base of readers who might buy their products. In other words, magazines make more of their revenue from advertising, not subscriptions. That's publishing 101.

A lack of compelling content in EGM definitely wasn't the only reason why it failed, but I can say it was a reason why I stopped subscribing and bothering to leaf through an open copy of it in the grocery store and I'm sure that many other longtime readers who stopped reading it might feel the same way. They should have stopped publishing EGM years ago before they screwed it up with the editorial changes that they decided to make to it if it wasn't profitable.

If a published product isn't profitable after a certain length of time, you kill it. That's publishing 102.

Xian042

01-08-2009, 09:39 AM

The january issue (one with Wolverine on the cover) is the last issue. Those let go were escorted out by security, so I do not think we are going to see any kind of farewell.

Actually, I just read that they did work on a final issue, but its only going to be released in digital form on 1up.com. The cover is being shown already and its fantastic. Ryu and Ken facing off with a big 'ole Street Fighter IV tagline. I think its fitting Street Fighter IV be on the cover, since the game is featuring Gouken, a character based on EGM's April fools joke of the hidden Sheng Long character.
Read about it here and see the cover on James Mielke's 1up blog:

http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8977836&publicUserId=4549175

2Dskillz

01-08-2009, 11:56 AM

Yeah I just read that blog this morning. This would have been the 20th anniversary issue. Since I read so many early EGMs for Street Fighter fixes it does seem an appropriate end cover, I just wish it could have seen its way to my mail box.

Actually, I just read that they did work on a final issue, but its only going to be released in digital form on 1up.com. The cover is being shown already and its fantastic. Ryu and Ken facing off with a big 'ole Street Fighter IV tagline. I think its fitting Street Fighter IV be on the cover, since the game is featuring Gouken, a character based on EGM's April fools joke of the hidden Sheng Long character.
Read about it here and see the cover on James Mielke's 1up blog:

http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8977836&publicUserId=4549175

Peonpiate

01-08-2009, 01:20 PM

I feel pretty old thinking about it [im 26 now], but EGM was my favorite magazine bar-none during the 90's up to early 2000. Ziff davis, when they took it over really lowered its quality, and the 'personality' of the magazine seemed to be aimed more towards the pokemon kids/soccer moms after that time. It just felt pointless reading it, especially when Next-generation magazine was still in print and in its prime at that time [they went downhill to midway through its lifespan heh].

Before then, [even though it feels nerdy to say it] you could tell that all the articles were being written by gamers who really enjoyed thier work...not so under ZD.

Regardless, this was a long time coming but its never good for people to lose thier jobs. I hope that the workers at EGM atleast had a notice or potential warning about this rather than just a pink slip on monday, as most of thier crew were there for 10 years+ i believe. :mad:

blissfulnoise

01-08-2009, 03:56 PM

I'm already missing 1up FM and 1up Yours.

The fairly recent 1up FM podcast with Jonnathan Blow and Rod Humble was some of the finest video game journalism work I've read, heard, or seen in a long, long time.

2Dskillz

01-08-2009, 04:13 PM

If you were a fan of 1up FM, then head over to www.eat-sleep-game.com and grab the first episode of Rebel FM which is the same group (Nick, Phil, Anthony, and a few others) It is not perfect but you gotta start rebuilding somewhere.

I'm already missing 1up FM and 1up Yours.

The fairly recent 1up FM podcast with Jonnathan Blow and Rod Humble was some of the finest video game journalism work I've read, heard, or seen in a long, long time.

The 1 2 P

01-08-2009, 06:46 PM

Thats good to know. I'll give them a call tomorrow because my subscription wasn't set to expire until May of 2010.

I called today and received no hassle for a full refund on my remaining issues. The only downside is that they said it may take up to 5 weeks to prcess. But atleast I'm getting money back so it's all good.

boatofcar

01-08-2009, 07:22 PM

I still remember my first issue of EGM-number 57.

http://homepage.mac.com/chris_johnston/C1662594604/E1537189433/Media/egm57.jpg

I couldn't believe how thick and full of info it was compared to Nintendo Power and the ridiculously overpriced Super NES buyers guide that was $7.50 and had like 12 pages.

If you were a fan of 1up FM, then head over to www.eat-sleep-game.com and grab the first episode of Rebel FM which is the same group (Nick, Phil, Anthony, and a few others) It is not perfect but you gotta start rebuilding somewhere.

Cool, thanks for that info! I really liked the Anthony Gyagos (sp) on... sections.

slapdash

01-09-2009, 12:09 AM

Hardcore Gamer is for sale on Ebay of all places right now. You can actually buy the copyrights, employee contracts, back issues whatever. It is starting at $42,000

Link or it didn't happen.

Seriously though, I can't find it. (TRIES A THIRD TIME) Ah, there it is (http://cgi.ebay.com/Nationally-distributed-video-game-print-magazine_W0QQitemZ300285337821QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item300285337821&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A3%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318).

Yeah I just read that blog this morning. This would have been the 20th anniversary issue.

Now, that's just stupid... Let it end with the anniversary issue, for cripes sake! You want out of the print business? Get out next month. Asshats.

Oh, and as to gaming magazines, there's still OPM and OXM, but are there any others? Is it really down to just HG (is it continuing in the meantime while they try to sell it?), Play, GP and GI other than the two O?M mags? I mean, US mags anyway... I do still see the UK mags here and there, though less of them too.

Ah, technically, T&T is still SORT of around. Just got one a couple weeks back. Not monthly though, I realize, but still in print. Is the Beckett's "Cheat Codes" or whatever mag still showing up now and then? I haven't seen that one in a while, but I haven't looked either. Not very hard anyway.

The 1 2 P

01-09-2009, 01:27 AM

Now, that's just stupid... Let it end with the anniversary issue, for cripes sake! You want out of the print business? Get out next month. Asshats.

Agreed. Atleast make some more money on your way out the door. And btw, it's PTOM not OPM. OPM folded over a year ago. PTOM is sort of a spiritual successor.

Nature Boy

01-09-2009, 09:56 AM

I remember in the late 1990s, there was EGM, Game Fan, GamePro, Next Generation, Game Informer, and Gamers' Republic. What's left?

Forget the internet aspect: is the industry moving more towards console specific mags?

I personally haven't purchased a non-console specific magazine in *years*. Last gen it was OUSPSM, this gen it's OXM.

I know lots of gamers here are multi console owners, as have I been. But even last gen with all 3 machines in my collection, I was still very much focused on one and much preferred getting a magazine dedicated to that one console over something that covered all three.

Anybody else think there's merit to that? It's not the internet that's totally at fault, it's the fact that consumers don't want one mag for all consoles anymore?

Peonpiate

01-09-2009, 10:25 AM

Forget the internet aspect: is the industry moving more towards console specific mags?

I personally haven't purchased a non-console specific magazine in *years*. Last gen it was OUSPSM, this gen it's OXM.

I know lots of gamers here are multi console owners, as have I been. But even last gen with all 3 machines in my collection, I was still very much focused on one and much preferred getting a magazine dedicated to that one console over something that covered all three.

Anybody else think there's merit to that? It's not the internet that's totally at fault, it's the fact that consumers don't want one mag for all consoles anymore?

Its the internet. Even during the SNES/Genny era there were console specific mags aswell as a multitude of PC mags and multi-format mags. Going by memory, there was Megaplay, Segaforce[?], turboplay and a SNES dedicated mag made by EGM. The internet just ripped them a new one over time [even thier blogs contain most of thier magazine content these days].

PapaStu

01-09-2009, 11:31 AM

Forget the internet aspect: is the industry moving more towards console specific mags?

I personally haven't purchased a non-console specific magazine in *years*. Last gen it was OUSPSM, this gen it's OXM.

I know lots of gamers here are multi console owners, as have I been. But even last gen with all 3 machines in my collection, I was still very much focused on one and much preferred getting a magazine dedicated to that one console over something that covered all three.

Anybody else think there's merit to that? It's not the internet that's totally at fault, it's the fact that consumers don't want one mag for all consoles anymore?

The mags have had system centric monthly magazines since the PlayStation. OPM ran for something like 10 years before it died the first time, and they also had PSM (unofficial) which ran the entire time, and is now the new OPM magazine if memory serves. There was OXM, Official Dreamcast (died at 12 issues), an Official Saturn that was short lived. Nintendo Power has always just focused on Nintendo stuff.

I don't think centric mags killed it at all. The noncentric mags were the only ones that never came acrossed biased. OXM has gotten much better, but it used to be horrible. OPM wasn't much better.

swlovinist

01-09-2009, 12:54 PM

I collect multiple systems, so I prefer a multiple system magazine. Console specific mags can survive, if they have a loyal following, enough contrent to make a worthy mag, and articles that share information about a game versus just being a hype machine. I have enjoyed some console specific mags in the past, even with their faults It really for me comes down to content. If I am paying for a sub and all I get is ads, then to me it is not worth it. I love articles that talk about behind the scenes information, and the process of development on a particular game. Like console systems, alot of people have strong opinions on what mags are crap, and what mag has legitamite writing or is not biased. I do think that the internet has zapped the luster of video game mags. It is only going to get worse as time goes on. This upcoming years are going to be tough I feel for the mag industry(and I feel for the jobs affective by it) and we might just see a couple more mags go to the wasteside.

sidnotcrazy

01-09-2009, 01:44 PM

The mags have had system centric monthly magazines since the PlayStation. OPM ran for something like 10 years before it died the first time, and they also had PSM (unofficial) which ran the entire time, and is now the new OPM magazine if memory serves. There was OXM, Official Dreamcast (died at 12 issues), an Official Saturn that was short lived. Nintendo Power has always just focused on Nintendo stuff.

I don't think centric mags killed it at all. The noncentric mags were the only ones that never came acrossed biased. OXM has gotten much better, but it used to be horrible. OPM wasn't much better.

Great post Stu, but I would also like to add Turbo Play, and the even shorter lived Turbo Force, for TG-16 fans.

I honestly think it is a truckload of reasonss why EGM, and simular mags fail. Most of all I feel they have lost touch with their userbase, and hence their cancelation.

rbudrick

01-09-2009, 03:23 PM

Had no hassle on my refund today either. Reading the posts on Milkman's blog does make me sad. :(

-Rob

Wolfrider31

01-09-2009, 03:51 PM

Any word on what podcasts will be sticking around? Or if the former hosts will still be doing them? I mean, Retronauts would still be worth producing (and even keeping the old ones on 1up as they don't really "age").

Actually, and with that in mind, I wonder if the former editors (and even Shoe) would be willing to start their own site. The podcasts are great and so is Shoe's blog. There's certainly enough worthwhile content to make EGM an online presence.

2Dskillz

01-09-2009, 04:17 PM

They have said that Retronauts will still be made, and maybe some version of 1up Yours.

The SoreThumbs blog of Shoe and Crispin has yet to produce a podcast, but even during EGM Live Shoe seemed pressed to come on the show.

boatofcar

01-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Woo hoo! New Retronauts today! And new Sports Game Anomaly, but that show kinda sucks imo.

slapdash

01-09-2009, 10:41 PM

No problem with my refund (yet anyway). Sorry about confusing OPM and PTOM; I always thought it was funny that the unofficial mag became the official one...

I'm not a big fan of single-system-centric mags, but it's even worse when a publisher has both types of mags and copies content between them. Ugh, that's lazy, and less of a value for us collector types.

c0ldb33r

01-10-2009, 08:34 PM

Uh oh, looks like another magazine might be on its way out :(

FriendFinder, Penthouse's parent corporation is planning an IPO to raise funds. They're in default of their security and plan to use $400 million of the IPO to pay off debt. [source (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/technology/internet/25ipo.html?ref=companies)]

The problem is that it looks like the IPO will be a dud. "There is no way that Penthouse’s current situation — Adult Friendfinder or not — would justify an IPO at $20 a share, $15 a share, or even just Playboy’s current $7.90 and change." [source (http://www.todaysfinancialnews.com/us-stocks-and-markets/top-ipos-penthouse-friendfinder-556.html)].

I was wondering why this month's issue hadn't arrived yet.

The 1 2 P

01-10-2009, 08:47 PM

I was wondering why this month's issue hadn't arrived yet.

And I was wondering why you posted this in a modern gaming forum about EGM's demise. But now I knowLOL

c0ldb33r

01-10-2009, 08:59 PM

And I was wondering why you posted this in a modern gaming forum about EGM's demise. But now I knowLOL
Hey now, penthouse has had a video game review section for quite some time :D

The 1 2 P

01-10-2009, 09:05 PM

Hey now, penthouse has had a video game review section for quite some time :D

So does Playboy. Playboy also has an annual "nude video game character" article that usually releases in their October or November issue:wink 2:

RPG_Fanatic

01-11-2009, 09:14 AM

It is only going to get worse as time goes on. This upcoming year is going to be tough I feel for the mag industry and we might just see a couple more mags go to the wasteside.

Which magazine do you think will go under next? :?

YoshiM

01-11-2009, 10:42 AM

Which magazine do you think will go under next? :?

Part of me wants to say OXM, just because that mag is looking pretty thin. I haven't read it for a while so I'm not sure about the quality of the content. Possibly its only saving grace is the demo disc for those who don't have broadband internet.

As for the other mags, it's hard to say. I haven't read Gamepro since their first year in publication, so I can't say how good or bad that magazine is. Gameinformer is included with Edge cards so I think it's safe to say that mag might be around for a while. Nintendo Power...well, it's Nintendo and they are on fire in the popularity department now so that'll last. Playstation Magazine might fall into the crosshairs due to the brand faltering. Not sure if the future will be kind to Play. I haven't noticed getting thinner but I do know, at least in my area, you can't get it at every major retail store like the others-only at a book/magazine shop. If that plays (ugh, no pun intended) a role or not, hard to say.

Personally I like magazines and I hope something will survive. It's more relaxing to sit in the easy chair, recline and page through paper rather attempting the same situation with a laptop.

jdc

01-11-2009, 10:54 AM

I remember the sadness that I felt when OPM died. Then yet again when PSM died....and the joy that I felt when it came back as the beautiful Playstation magazine. I have every issue of Dave Halversons Gamer's Republic in mint condition, IMO THE best gaming mag ever conceived. I felt as if I was kicked in the gut when THAT one died. I dunno, in a way it's good that the only gaming mag I have left to buy IS Playstation magazine because it was getting expensive to feed my gaming mag jones every month. Now it's just that and my monthly subscribed issue of Bass Player Magazine to contend with. LOL

c0ldb33r

01-11-2009, 10:58 AM

Not sure if the future will be kind to Play. I haven't noticed getting thinner but I do know, at least in my area, you can't get it at every major retail store like the others-only at a book/magazine shop. If that plays (ugh, no pun intended) a role or not, hard to say.
In my area Play is only available in one magazine shop. I used to really like it just to read, but then I tried actually relying on some of their reviews (Gee, I don't know if I want this game, but Play gave it a great review so I guess I'll try it). It wasn't until then that I learned that their reviews are complete shit. And if I can't rely on a magazine's reviews, then forget it.

I like Play, or at least I want to. I like the look of the magazine. I like the fact that they cover technology, DVDs, music, anime and comic books. I'm not really into the last two but I like reading about them from people who are in-the-know. But at the end of the day, if I have to take everything they say with a grain of salt, it really isn't worth it for me. I kind of hope Play fails as a result.

The 1 2 P

01-11-2009, 08:02 PM

Which magazine do you think will go under next? :?

It's either going to be Gamepro or PTOM. And if Hardcore Gamer is still around, it won't be for long. OXM has the financial backing(and a much sought after demo disc) to keep it around for awhile. Play has bewildered me with it's longevity. I'm glad it's still around but how much longer can it survive? Game Informer is ok because they have Gamestop backing them. Nuff said.

c0ldb33r

01-11-2009, 09:03 PM

It's either going to be Gamepro or PTOM. And if Hardcore Gamer is still around, it won't be for long....Play has bewildered me with it's longevity. I'm glad it's still around but how much longer can it survive?
Do you think these magazines will switch to an electronic only format or fold altogether?

The 1 2 P

01-11-2009, 09:20 PM

Do you think these magazines will switch to an electronic only format or fold altogether?

All of them already have online equivalents so I guess it depends on the owner of each. They should atleast keep their online sites but even EGM wasn't lucky enough to have that happen:(

G-Boobie

01-11-2009, 10:23 PM

In my area Play is only available in one magazine shop. I used to really like it just to read, but then I tried actually relying on some of their reviews (Gee, I don't know if I want this game, but Play gave it a great review so I guess I'll try it). It wasn't until then that I learned that their reviews are complete shit. And if I can't rely on a magazine's reviews, then forget it.

I like Play, or at least I want to. I like the look of the magazine. I like the fact that they cover technology, DVDs, music, anime and comic books. I'm not really into the last two but I like reading about them from people who are in-the-know. But at the end of the day, if I have to take everything they say with a grain of salt, it really isn't worth it for me. I kind of hope Play fails as a result.

Isn't everyone's favorite neck bearded man-child Dave Halverson related to Play in some capacity? That would explain the reviews...

The 1 2 P

01-11-2009, 10:43 PM

I almost didn't renew my subscription because I thought they were headed out the door too. It's a very inciteful magazine and I love how they cover imports, anime and movies too. However, as someone else has said, they are way to generous with their game reviews. I think thats why they got rid of their scoring numbers because every magazine was guaranteed to have atleast three perfect scores in it. Thats just not possible, especially since they've been that way for the last three years.

In my area Play is only available in one magazine shop. I used to really like it just to read, but then I tried actually relying on some of their reviews (Gee, I don't know if I want this game, but Play gave it a great review so I guess I'll try it). It wasn't until then that I learned that their reviews are complete shit. And if I can't rely on a magazine's reviews, then forget it.

Isn't everyone's favorite neck bearded man-child Dave Halverson related to Play in some capacity? That would explain the reviews...

Yup, he's the former editor in chief. He stepped down from that position(although he still works at the mag) a month before they ditched the review numbers all together. As you can see from my earlier post and coldb33r's post, Play gave pretty much every AAA title a perfect score of ten. Add that to the fact that they also gave atleast one mediocre game and one shitty game a perfect 10 as well(in nearly every issue no less) and you get the most broken video game scoring/grading process in magazine history.

Kid Fenris

01-11-2009, 10:50 PM

Isn't everyone's favorite neck bearded man-child Dave Halverson related to Play in some capacity? That would explain the reviews...

To my knowledge, Dave Halverson has never had a neckbeard. Only a mustache, a goatee, and an AMAZING mullet.

http://kidfenris.com/halverson.jpg
http://kidfenris.com/halverson2.jpg

Nature Boy

01-12-2009, 09:49 AM

I don't think centric mags killed it at all.

Based on what I've gathered, it sounds like it was simply bad business decisions that killed it. The company that bought it couldn't do with it what they had originally planned so they killed it. Probably to take a loss.

I totally agree with you about the bias, especially OXM. When it was first launched it was a freaking *horrible* magazine in my opinion. These days I quite like it though. They've definitely matured as a publication.

The reason I said "forget the internet" was that I simply believe that printed media will never die. It may contract, but there's no reason for me to believe it will ever actually die. If vinyl can live on in the face of the mp3, so can the printed word in the face of instant news updates.

I was wondering if that contraction might mean the death of the broad magazine, because it's way more fun for me to postulate that rather than right another "the internet is killing it" post.

PapaStu

01-12-2009, 10:57 AM

Based on what I've gathered, it sounds like it was simply bad business decisions that killed it. The company that bought it couldn't do with it what they had originally planned so they killed it. Probably to take a loss.

It was the bad decisions by Ziff Davis. They bought too much and had an insane amount of debt. Couple that to an economic meltdown and a credit crisis and you've got a group of magazines that are going down like a ton of bricks. EGM was their last best thing and the 1Up network was their only valuable thing but they'd been trying to sell the bundle for an obscene amount of money and no one was going to bite.

Jorpho

01-12-2009, 12:18 PM

If vinyl can live on in the face of the mp3, so can the printed word in the face of instant news updates.:hmm: That strikes me as a rather terrible analogy. The "printed word", at least in the sense of a monthly magazine, and instant news updates differ far more greatly than mp3s and vinyl.

Oobgarm

01-12-2009, 12:27 PM

:hmm: That strikes me as a rather terrible analogy. The "printed word", at least in the sense of a monthly magazine, and instant news updates differ far more greatly than mp3s and vinyl.

I wouldn't say it's terrible, just a little obtuse-and only when you look at it a certain way does it make some sense.

In terms of a tangible item, printed word and a vinyl album do match up well. They're both dyed-in-the-wool types of media, which will be around for quite some time, albeit in a diminished amount.

The only thing that really breaks this analogy is how the information itself is delivered. Information, regardless of the topic, is best suited for our society on a 'faster the better' platform, whereas music isn't necessarily that way, since downloading music isn't the status quo yet.

MP3s and CDs might make a bit better coupling, I think, if only to satisfy the 'tangible item' thought.

Rogmeister

01-12-2009, 12:56 PM

Interestingly, I recently decided I needed to get rid of all my EGM issues...over a hundred issues. So I started going over my collection backwards, thumbing through each issue and mostly checking out the reviews. Now they've all been tossed out. It was time to clear some space. I liked the older days of the magazine but haven't really read it in awhile.

Wolfrider31

01-12-2009, 04:32 PM

Y'know, I just picked up the "last" EGM issue today (along with a copy of Edge) and to be honest - I don't think we'll miss it much. Sure, EGM in its heyday was fantastic, but by the end it was a crumpled husk of its former self.

Compare the content, the writing, the articles, and the sheer size to European mags like Play, Edge, RetroGamer etc and there's no contest. EGM might signal the death of the game magazine in the US, but I think our friends across the pond still have some life left in them.

bangtango

01-12-2009, 06:17 PM

Compare the content, the writing, the articles, and the sheer size to European mags like.......RetroGamer etc and there's no contest.

You can't compare anything in EGM to Retro Gamer. Those two are like apples and oranges. Retro Gamer is dedicated to covering old games and systems while EGM focuses solely on new stuff.

Aussie2B

01-12-2009, 06:20 PM

Also, you could get a whole year of EGM for the price of one Retro Gamer. :P

Wolfrider31

01-12-2009, 06:38 PM

boatofcar

01-12-2009, 07:05 PM

You can't compare anything in EGM to Retro Gamer. Those two are like apples and oranges. Retro Gamer is dedicated to covering old games and systems while EGM focuses solely on new stuff.

I disagree. Both are about video games. The era shouldn't affect the presentation, writing, content quality, etc. Retro Gamer is superior in every way to EGM.

bangtango

01-12-2009, 09:21 PM

I disagree. Both are about video games. The era shouldn't affect the presentation, writing, content quality, etc. Retro Gamer is superior in every way to EGM.

Both magazines are about video games but EGM was forced to stay on top of current events far more often than Retro Gamer.

An article about the Commodore 64, Spectrum or table top handheld games can be written at the leisure of a Retro Gamer writer. While each edition of the magazine has a deadline, theoretically if an article isn't up to snuff there is no rush to get it into that issue. The editors can wait another month (or 6 months) and allow the writer time to do a little more research or a few more interviews.

Did EGM have this luxury while they were trying to compete with Gamepro, Game Informer and hundreds of web sites to get content into readers hands?

Say Retro Gamer decides to publish a six page feature about the Fairchild Channel F and it is run in an issue from the year 2005. Then in 2009, Retro Gamer decides to run a six page feature on the Fairchild Channel F again, with the assumption that most of the readers have "forgotten" about the original article. Retro Gamer could use 95% of the same information from the original 2005 piece for a 2009 piece, they could run it all over again word for word. EGM can't get away with that.

By saying Retro Gamer is better (today), you're only stating the obvious. Of course a magazine that talks about "dead" systems and games that came out 20-25 years ago is going to have a better quality of writing than a magazine that has to rush to stay on top of current events.

But I will say that EGM in its prime (the Steve Harris era) was a hell of a lot more interesting to read back then than Retro Gamer has ever been. Retro Gamer's writing may be better than the old EGM was but before the internet changed everything, 8-bit and 16-bit gamers were foaming at the mouth for news about upcoming games and systems. EGM did a damn fine job of meeting their needs for information during that era. Back then, information that couldn't be found anywhere else was a lot more important than well written articles. Nobody did a better job of getting the word out in the late 80's and early 90's than EGM.

Jorpho

01-12-2009, 10:23 PM

But I will say that EGM in its prime (the Steve Harris era) was a hell of a lot more interesting to read back then than Retro Gamer has ever been. Retro Gamer's writing may be better than the old EGM was but before the internet changed everything, 8-bit and 16-bit gamers were foaming at the mouth for news about upcoming games and systems.That raises an interesting question: perhaps EGM was better back then because the industry itself was something that the media could cover in an interesting way? Back when the notion of "casual gaming" was largely unknown, truly awful shovelware was too expensive to produce, the Internet wasn't around to disseminate demos and videos and walkthroughs of practically everything, and so on?

boatofcar

01-12-2009, 10:55 PM

I understand your point, bangotango, but it doesn't change the fact that the writing in (edit: today's) EGM just plain isn't as good as the writing in Retro Gamer.

Wolfrider

01-12-2009, 11:05 PM

I understand your point, bangotango, but it doesn't change the fact that the writing in (edit: today's) EGM just plain isn't as good as the writing in Retro Gamer.

And notice that the other two magazines I mentioned are being ignored in the argument. Selective rebuttal is so much fun. ;)

I tease.

Aussie2B

01-13-2009, 12:20 AM

An article about the Commodore 64, Spectrum or table top handheld games can be written at the leisure of a Retro Gamer writer. While each edition of the magazine has a deadline, theoretically if an article isn't up to snuff there is no rush to get it into that issue. The editors can wait another month (or 6 months) and allow the writer time to do a little more research or a few more interviews.

It's also worth pointing out that a writer for a magazine that covers classic gaming probably already has a basis of knowledge and interest in the subject matter of an article that he or she is assigned, otherwise it would've been assigned to someone else. That's a huge advantage over someone being assigned an article about a game that the writer knows absolutely nothing about before he or she starts doing interviews with the developer and such.

Don't get me wrong, writing for a magazine, with retro or current coverage, is no trivial task, take it from me, but I do have a smidgen more sympathy for those slaving away to keep up with current news. Of course, that doesn't excuse poor direction on the part of the publisher nor poor choices in staff hiring, which seem to be mistakes that so many of the big magazines make. I'll never understand that with all the talent out there, there are sloppy, pedestrian writers still being hired that can't even manage the maturity to not be biased and write like an intelligent adult. Then again, maybe that's precisely what some magazines aim for to please the teenage target audience.

The 1 2 P

01-13-2009, 02:08 AM

And notice that the other two magazines I mentioned are being ignored in the argument. Selective rebuttal is so much fun. ;)

I tease.

I was about to ask how someone who's been here for 5 years only has 7 post. But then I realized it's an alternate account.

shaggy

01-13-2009, 12:00 PM

Consider yourself lucky. I've had to watch as my subscriptions to Next Generation, Incite Gamer, OPM, PSM, Tips and Tricks and now EGM all went up in smoke. My only subscriptions left are OXM, Play, Game Informer and Gamepro. I let my subscription to Playstation the official magazine expire a few months ago. That mag should be folding before the end of this year.

I liked PSM and than they went and changed to Playstation the official magazine and now it is shit. I actually am on my last issue of it and I am not renewing. I agree that this will probably be the next to go. PSM was awesome before the switch and when they switched they got all new staff and redid the whole magazine and I just don't enjoy it like I did. Kaiser, Justin, and Chris all went to Nintendo Power. I wonder what happened to Bill and everyone else that was on the PSM Team.

shaggy

01-13-2009, 12:06 PM

It should've been GamePro that died out. I thought that magazine was pretty good when I was a kid in the early-mid 90s during the fighting game craze, but its been total crap since atleast 2000. And Gamepro's re-design (with the elimination of editor characters, and a complete overhaul of its format) made it lose whatever charm they once had, leaving it as a fifth-rate Game Informer wannabe.

And my beef with Game Informer is that I can't trust them to be objective since they're owned by Gamestop and they're always publishing pics of their editors partying or having dinner with employees from Activision, Sony, or Microsoft.

That's exactly what I thought with Game Pro. When they did there re-design and eliminated the editor characters it made the magazine lose its charm just like you said. I liked it when they had the Pro Tips underneath the screen shots and the heads as there rating system. Now the magazine is just average to me.

Wolfrider31

01-13-2009, 03:58 PM

I was about to ask how someone who's been here for 5 years only has 7 post. But then I realized it's an alternate account.

Whoops. Yeah, it's not intentional. I forgot the password to that old account a while ago and then I remembered it again. :)

dairugger

01-13-2009, 04:06 PM

what i hated was when they started making fun of people in the letters section, starting around 01 or so.. you shouldnt belittle your paid subscribers.

acem77

01-13-2009, 04:37 PM

Is the final mag up for download yet?
If so any links. i have been searching the blog i do not see it yet.

The 1 2 P

01-13-2009, 06:29 PM

what i hated was when they started making fun of people in the letters section, starting around 01 or so.. you shouldnt belittle your paid subscribers.

Unfortunately you really need to get use to this, as pretty much every magazine I have ever subscribed to since 2000(except Play) has done this. I think that game editors consider it a right of passage to mock some of their readers. I actually think it's pretty funny sometimes, like when Game Informer(a few months ago) said they wouldn't have a top 25 Gamecube games special (like they did for the Xbox and PS2 in previous issues) because the Gamecube didn't have 25 good games yet. That shit was hilarious but of course some people thought they were being serious so they wrote in to complain and tell them they were canceling their subscriptions. The issue they ran the complaint letters is the issue they finally did the Gamecube feature, which they were planning all along. But like I said, pretty much all game magazines mock their reader's letters.

bangtango

01-13-2009, 08:44 PM

That's exactly what I thought with Game Pro. When they did there re-design and eliminated the editor characters it made the magazine lose its charm just like you said. I liked it when they had the Pro Tips underneath the screen shots and the heads as there rating system. Now the magazine is just average to me.

I have now seen 2 or 3 people in this thread say that they missed the "characters" that used to write for Gamepro.

I find it odd because a large number of people had been criticizing Gamepro for about 15 years for making their writers use fictitious names instead of their real names. That was one of the first things people complained about when they used to talk about the magazine, how all of their writers used phony names.

Push Upstairs

01-13-2009, 10:06 PM

Even if the ProTips were lame, and the reviews full of groan inducing puns, at least it made them (good or bad) stand out from other game magazines.

I don't miss "Linoleum Blown Apart", but at least it was silly enough for me to remember 15 years later.

rbudrick

01-14-2009, 01:31 AM

calgon

01-14-2009, 06:56 AM

If EGM had pulled the plug exactly at issue 100, it would have been the greatest game magazine run. Unfortunately, several editorial and content changes over the years (plus EGM needing to "adapt" to the internet era) drained the soul out of this once great magazine.

I'd still read the newer issues on occasion, epecially during the dreamcast era, where I feel the mag got back on track, but it was obviously not as good.

bangtango

01-14-2009, 01:03 PM

I remember talking to one of the writers for Gamepro at E3 99. I asked what the deal was with the fake names, and he shyly said it was "all in fun," or something to that effect. Probably a canned line he didn;t reallt believe, but rather, had to say. But today, I can't help but wonder what business sense it made in reality.

-Rob

Even if the ProTips were lame, and the reviews full of groan inducing puns, at least it made them (good or bad) stand out from other game magazines.

I don't miss "Linoleum Blown Apart", but at least it was silly enough for me to remember 15 years later.

First off, I thought the fake names were clever and I liked them. I also found it funny when Ed Semrad used to take subtle shots at the whole "fake name" thing in EGM's Editor Letter.

I will say this, though........

I bet those fake Gamepro writer names caused stress on more than one occasion after somebody left the magazine and tried to get another job.

Can you freaking imagine putting Gamepro on your resume and sending in samples of your work for the magazine to some other publisher? How the hell is anyone supposed to know the work is really yours?

Sure, a couple of calls to Gamepro's office could verify it. The point I am making, though, is that applying and interviewing for other writing jobs after spending five years writing under a fake name at Gamepro had to be a minor pain in the ass.

"Yeah, my name's Dan Reed. I wrote for Gamepro for ten years.........What do you mean you read the last 30-40 issues and didn't see any of my work? My handle was Mr. Marbles! You say your gonna need proof? Well just call the magazine....."

Aussie2B

01-14-2009, 03:27 PM

I would imagine the whole idea behind it is that most major magazines want to present a single voice, and eliminating the individuals behind the writing hides their differences that much more. It's the same logic behind editing articles when there's nothing really wrong with them just to make sure they're consistent with the "sound" of the magazine. It's also why they tell writers to refrain from using "I" and "me" in articles, and sometimes they'll even avoid "us", "we", etc., instead just referring to themselves solely as the title of the magazine to remain a single entity.

Personally, I've always found fake names and cartoon characters to go along with them really childish, and I feel bad for writers that don't get proper recognition for their work. Ideally, I like to see each article credited to the proper person, but if you're not going to do that, then at least put a small credits sidebar at the beginning of the magazine and list everyone involved in its creation, as Nintendo Power used to do (or still does?).

Jorpho

01-14-2009, 06:04 PM

I remember waay back when Gamespy reviewers used their nicks, and I thought it added considerably to the site's charm, actually. But I don't think their real names were very deeply hidden.

Zap!

01-18-2009, 03:37 PM

Although this sucks and I am upset about it, in all honesty EGM died when Ed Semrad left. Even then it wasn't the same as when the great Steve Harris ran it, with Don Neuart at his side. Kind of like when Captain America and Green Lantern became different people. It was the same in name only.

ubersaurus

01-22-2009, 04:42 PM

If anyone was a fan of the 1up Show, it's back!

http://area5.tv/2009/01/21/the-producers-of-the-1up-show-form-area-5-launch-new-show-co-op/

ButtonMasher123

01-22-2009, 10:32 PM

I'll miss this magazine for sure. I used to suscribe to it back in the hey day of the Genesis and the SNES when they were pumping out the monster 400+ page issues.

The sad thing is that I stupidly threw away all my issues about a year and a half ago which was right before the time that I started getting back into video games again. What I wouldn't give to have them back now.

The only thing I have left now is my 1995 buyers guide. Its better than nothing I guess.

boatofcar

01-23-2009, 03:03 AM

FYI, the crew at eat-sleep-game.com finally has their stuff together sound quality-wise for episode 3. Thankfully, Retronauts is going to continue without interruption :)

Zap!

01-26-2009, 01:57 AM

makaar

01-26-2009, 02:21 AM

That really does stink. I have many issues throughout the 90's, and will miss them. RIP EGM

Icarus Moonsight

01-26-2009, 02:22 AM

Nope, they got taken out like little biznitches. I wasn't a big EGM fan for the last 5+ years but, even I'd say that they deserved better treatment than that.

bangtango

01-26-2009, 12:05 PM

Wait a second...I just picked up their final issue, the January 2009 issue. I didn't get to open and read it yet, but nowhere did I read the words "Final Issue" on the cover. Let me get this straight...They didn't even go out in style? WTF!

No different than a tv show that gets cancelled. More than half the time when that happens they don't even get to film a farewell episode or just an episode that is able to wrap up a few loose ends.

If I remember right and am thinking of the right mag, "Tips and Tricks" didn't have a farewell issue either.

Zap!

01-26-2009, 01:40 PM

No different than a tv show that gets cancelled. More than half the time when that happens they don't even get to film a farewell episode or just an episode that is able to wrap up a few loose ends.

If I remember right and am thinking of the right mag, "Tips and Tricks" didn't have a farewell issue either.

But the long running shows usually have farewell last episodes (The Jeffersons being an exception), Seinfed, Friends, etc.

bangtango

01-26-2009, 03:39 PM

But the long running shows usually have farewell last episodes (The Jeffersons being an exception), Seinfed, Friends, etc.

Because oftentimes, it is known going into the final season that it will be the last season.

You are right in that long-running tv shows are more likely to get a farewell episode.

However, ABC's "Family Matters" (better known as the Steve Urkel show) ran for 8-9 seasons and didn't get a farewell episode. I'm sure part of the problem was that it had switched networks near the end.

Regardless the writers and producers were planning on an episode where Steve Urkel married Laura, so the series would end with their wedding, and they never got the chance because the plug was pulled on the show.

Jorpho

01-26-2009, 07:57 PM

Regardless the writers and producers were planning on an episode where Steve Urkel married Laura, so the series would end with their wedding, and they never got the chance because the plug was pulled on the show.For some very perplexing reason I want to know more about this. Do you has source?

slapdash

01-26-2009, 10:16 PM

If I remember right and am thinking of the right mag, "Tips and Tricks" didn't have a farewell issue either.

But remember, that dead horse is still being beat, i.e. there are still "issues" being produced, at least as recent as last quarter. It's a pale, pale husk of the magazine it was, but it ain't dead yet. Undead?

Xian042

01-27-2009, 09:58 AM

Wait a second...I just picked up their final issue, the January 2009 issue. I didn't get to open and read it yet, but nowhere did I read the words "Final Issue" on the cover. Let me get this straight...They didn't even go out in style? WTF!

There is going to be a final issue, but its going to be online only at 1up.com. They have the Street Fighter IV feature up already, with the rest of the magazine going up soon. They would have gone to print if they got enough adverts, but they didnt.

bangtango

01-27-2009, 01:51 PM

For some very perplexing reason I want to know more about this. Do you has source?

IMDB.com's entry on the show talks about it. There is a little bit on Wikipedia and I believe TV.com made reference to it as well. Along with a few dozen "fan" pages for Family Matters which chronicle every episode.

If you still want an actual link or two, I could probably find them easily enough.

01-27-2009, 09:39 PM

But remember, that dead horse is still being beat, i.e. there are still "issues" being produced, at least as recent as last quarter. It's a pale, pale husk of the magazine it was, but it ain't dead yet. Undead?

Did anyone with a subscription ever receive any of these quarterly issues after the last "regular" issue?

My subscription was good for almost a year after the magazine folded, yet they felt no need to send any sort of notification nor did they bother sending the quarterly issues to make up the difference.

Let's see, I've been burnt on subscriptions by Gamefan (twice), Gamego, T&T, and now EGM. Hardcore Gamer did convert my sub over to their quarterly format, which was a nice gesture but still did not equal out money-wise.

CelticJobber

01-27-2009, 11:22 PM

Did anyone with a subscription ever receive any of these quarterly issues after the last "regular" issue?

My subscription was good for almost a year after the magazine folded, yet they felt no need to send any sort of notification nor did they bother sending the quarterly issues to make up the difference.

I had 3 issues left on my Tips & Tricks subscription when they folded, and I received 3 of the quarterly issues to make up the difference.

Zap!

01-28-2009, 01:25 AM

Because oftentimes, it is known going into the final season that it will be the last season.

You are right in that long-running tv shows are more likely to get a farewell episode.

However, ABC's "Family Matters" (better known as the Steve Urkel show) ran for 8-9 seasons and didn't get a farewell episode. I'm sure part of the problem was that it had switched networks near the end.

Regardless the writers and producers were planning on an episode where Steve Urkel married Laura, so the series would end with their wedding, and they never got the chance because the plug was pulled on the show.

The Jeffersons is another exception. While on season break, Sherman Hemsley
(George Jefferson) read in the paper that the show was abruptly cancled. He was furious he wasn't told first, and wanted a final farewwell episode.

slapdash

01-29-2009, 12:35 AM

Did anyone with a subscription ever receive any of these quarterly issues after the last "regular" issue?

Yeah, I just received an issue a couple of days ago. I can't see an obvious expiration date on the mailing label, so I have no idea how many more I'll get.

The 1 2 P

01-29-2009, 07:00 PM

I had 3 issues left on my Tips & Tricks subscription when they folded, and I received 3 of the quarterly issues to make up the difference.

I don't remember how many issues I had left when they kicked the bucket(atleast one) but I never received the quarterly issues.

It reminds me of the time I was talking to customer service rep for Game Now to find out how many issues I had left. The lady told me two and asked if I wanted to renew. I said no thanks becuase I wasn't sure if they would be around much longer(Incite and Next Gen had just folded). She then told me that the magazine has been around for along time(EGM 2, Expert Gamer) and wasn't going anywhere. I'm not sure when but less then 6 months later the mag folded. Sometimes you just get that feeling. My next feeling? Gamepro has gotten extremely thin in content lately. The first 6-8 pages of each mag are filled with nothing but huge screen shots from various games(as is the last page). I wonder how much longer until they fold too:?

TheGam3r

01-29-2009, 08:56 PM

Their only good Isuues Were 195,198 And 200 the rest sucked cause the are a bunch of Sony/microsoft fanboys

otoko

01-29-2009, 09:01 PM

I think I've only bought one copy of this magazine... I don't remember what one either...

Zap!

01-30-2009, 03:04 AM

Their only good Isuues Were 195,198 And 200 the rest sucked cause the are a bunch of Sony/microsoft fanboys

What about their pre-1995 issues? They were all good.

CelticJobber

01-30-2009, 05:30 AM

Their only good Isuues Were 195,198 And 200 the rest sucked cause the are a bunch of Sony/microsoft fanboys

Yeah, and that would explain why they always went wild over Mario and especially Zelda games... :rolleyes:

Zap!

01-30-2009, 05:59 AM

Yeah, and that would explain why they always went wild over Mario and especially Zelda games... :rolleyes:

Doesn't everybody?

CelticJobber

01-30-2009, 06:48 AM

Doesn't everybody?

No, atleast a few diehard XBox 360 fanboys I know of would call them baby/kiddy games because there's no guns or gore.

Zap!

01-30-2009, 02:12 PM

No, atleast a few diehard XBox 360 fanboys I know of would call them baby/kiddy games because there's no guns or gore.

I know a PS3 fan that calls the Mario games kid games, but doesn't bash the Zelda games. Twlight Princess isn't baby.

The 1 2 P

01-30-2009, 02:37 PM

Back on topic, I just got my refund check from EGM for all my future issues. Refund check=epic win:)

TheGam3r

01-30-2009, 04:09 PM

Yeah, and that would explain why they always went wild over Mario and especially Zelda games... :rolleyes:

But the said in issue 198 That brian was a baby of the group case he liked pokemon

slapdash

01-30-2009, 10:51 PM

I just got my refund check too. Now let's see if the funds are there, heh.

The 1 2 P

01-30-2009, 11:39 PM

I just got my refund check too. Now let's see if the funds are there, heh.

LOL. I'm not cashing mine until next week when my other paycheck comes. So I guess you get to be the guinea pig:wink 2:

rbudrick

01-31-2009, 02:41 AM

Has the PDF for the Feb issue leaked yet?

-Rob

Vlad Sokar

02-02-2009, 12:34 AM

so i just read that egm declaired bankrupsy about a year ago. And I'm just finding out about this now??? What is going to happen to all the outstanding egm subscriptions out there? i saw an add, when i was looking for info, telling me i should subscribe to egm for $12. how can you sell a product that isn't going to exist? does anyone know what's going to happin? or what is happening?

vlad

Bojay1997

02-02-2009, 12:40 AM

EGM ceased publishing as of last month. In the old days, if a magazine stopped publishing and you still had time left on your subscription, they would give you an alternate, but similar magazine for the duration of your subscription. Nowadays in this economy, I suspect we are all just out the money.

bangtango

02-02-2009, 12:42 AM

God, this is the third thread on the death of EGM since it died.

Vlad Sokar

02-02-2009, 12:44 AM

ziff davis, i would think, should have enough money to where he shouldn't screw us over. i remember when opm stopped production. they gave me more egm, as i was already subscribed. they gave me that on top of my existing subscription and i imagin i have a lot of time left. If i get screwed over. i think i'll stear clear of ziff davis mags all together.

Vlad Sokar

02-02-2009, 12:45 AM

i just found out about it today in my oxm mag

MrSparkle

02-02-2009, 01:36 AM

The 1 2 P

02-02-2009, 07:33 PM

In the old days, if a magazine stopped publishing and you still had time left on your subscription, they would give you an alternate, but similar magazine for the duration of your subscription. Nowadays in this economy, I suspect we are all just out the money.

Not true. All one needs to do is call the magazine and politely ask for a refund of all unmailed issues. Thats what I did and I got my refund check within two weeks.

Zap!

02-03-2009, 01:17 AM

egm was owned by ziff davis? If thats the case i would definitely expect a replacement or a refund they are a fairly large magazine publisher. in the case that the parent company went under i wouldnt really expect anything.

Legally, don't they have to fulfill their end of the contract (subscription)? If they break it, they have to buy you out (pay you remaining months).

boatofcar

02-03-2009, 01:59 AM

White Knight, seriously, can you please make the image in your sig smaller? Why you're advertising a classic gaming forum on a classic gaming forum is a little weird anyway...

Zap!

02-03-2009, 02:19 PM

White Knight, seriously, can you please make the image in your sig smaller? Why you're advertising a classic gaming forum on a classic gaming forum is a little weird anyway...

I have made clear Zap! is not a rival board, it is its own uniquie classic board. I am a huge fan of DP, post here every day, and have links to DP on my board. I post more here than on my own, and am also a customer in the DP store.

Vlad Sokar

02-03-2009, 02:49 PM

does anyone know the email addy i should use to ask for a refound check?

TheGam3r

02-03-2009, 05:21 PM

What about their pre-1995 issues? They were all good.

i was born in 1995 and never got to expirence them

Gameboy Color

02-03-2009, 06:27 PM

Now that I actually look, I only ever had three issues of EGM. The first one about Final Fantasy 7 (with Cloud looking over Midgar on the cover), one with a huge article about Pokemon shortly after the release of GSC and the 100th issue.

Although, I did buy the sellers guides every year.

bangtango

02-03-2009, 06:36 PM

i was born in 1995 and never got to expirence them

Ah, well you missed EGM in its prime then.

Zap!

02-03-2009, 06:47 PM

i was born in 1995 and never got to expirence them

If you ever see any old issues lying around, grab them. Those were the best years.

Gameboy Color

02-03-2009, 06:53 PM

White Knight, seriously, can you please make the image in your sig smaller? Why you're advertising a classic gaming forum on a classic gaming forum is a little weird anyway...

I don't see a problem with the image, personally. There are other users who have bigger images than that.....

TheGam3r

02-03-2009, 06:59 PM

If you ever see any old issues lying around, grab them. Those were the best years.

ok then.off to somewhere will ill find them

Zap!

02-04-2009, 02:42 PM

CelticJobber

02-04-2009, 06:39 PM

While we're on the subject of EGM, does anyone remember the time when they started using four letter words ("f" this, etc.)? They only did this briefly, for less than a year I think. I'd have to say it was around 1999.

I don't remember them actually using the word "fuck", but lesser words like "shit" and "goddamn" were sometimes used around early 1998-1999.

Astrocade

02-04-2009, 06:42 PM

Nope, I distinctly remember a very late nineties issue referencing a game as "fucked up".

The 1 2 P

02-04-2009, 07:41 PM

Play uses ALL the four letter words these days. I think thats funny considering how fucked up to hell their shitty ass rating scale is. Just saying.

Zap!

02-05-2009, 01:08 AM

I don't remember them actually using the word "fuck", but lesser words like "shit" and "goddamn" were sometimes used around early 1998-1999.

Oh, they used it alright. I wonder why they decided to use curses, and why they abruptly decided to remove them. Apparently, in 1998/1999 EGM decided it was dead as a gaming mag and was going Rolling Stone.

Astrocade

02-05-2009, 01:29 AM

I think it was a case of "let's be rebels, that's what the kids dig now" and once they started getting complaints from moms and newsstand vendors they went all "sorry, so sorry, our mistake, please don't be mad".

I myself cuss like a drunken sailor at times but I remember finding it very out of place and unprofessional at the time. I like how mags like Retrogamer will let the "shits' and "damns" surface occasionally but they'll edit the F-word into "F&*%". Obviously not ALL of their readers are adult males aged 18-29, so PG-13 should be the order of the day. Converesly, Retrogamer doesn't find it out of place to run softcore phone sex ads in the back of their mag...

Zap!

02-05-2009, 03:00 AM

boatofcar

02-05-2009, 04:29 AM

Converesly, Retrogamer doesn't find it out of place to run softcore phone sex ads in the back of their mag...

It's a UK thing, I think. GamesTM does that too.

bangtango

02-06-2009, 07:54 PM

I too curse, yet found it very out of place in '99. I remember being totally disgusted with the mag, and saying how Steve Harris, Donn Neuart, and Ed Semrad would be appaled, and how much I truely miss them and the original EGM.

I always got the impression that the later editors, writers and reviewers had little to no respect for the likes of Harris and Semrad anyway.

Zap!

02-06-2009, 08:06 PM

I always got the impression that the later editors, writers and reviewers had little to no respect for the likes of Harris and Semrad anyway.

Yes, and that's a shame. Kind of like young punks who have no respect for their elders, or current gamers who hate the Atari 2600. If it wasn't for Harris, they would have not have been an EGM. There probably isn't even a picture of him in their main office.

The 1 2 P

02-06-2009, 08:18 PM

It's a UK thing, I think.

Agreed. They're much more open about that thing. Almost any UK game-centric magazine you pick up from Barnes & Nobles will have a good collection of sex ads in the back. It's as UKana as corupt politicians is Americana.

Teknik_SE-R

02-25-2009, 01:15 AM

So I'm just coming up to speed here. I was wondering when my March issue was going to show up.

Thanks to whoever pointed out sore thumbs.

As far as vg mags go, I think the industry headed severely downhill when they stopped posting walkthroughs, easter eggs, tips, codes etc. Not that it has been horrible this past decade. EGM has had several times LATELY where the journalism was superb. I think ppl have already mentioned the JP revival issue, VG veteran interviews, etc.

I always felt EGM did a pretty good job of rating games also (I could relate to their ratings anyway) I feel a bit better relying on printed reviews and news since any dimwit can post a review online (hello metacritic score gouging!!).

The situation reminds me a bit of autoblog test drives vs motortrend test drives. I KNOW I can rely on motor trend at least to be consistent, quantitatively backed, and singular in their reviews from reputable industry experts. Autoblog is hit and miss. Their reviews are qualitative "everyman" reviews, no real data, not comprehensive, and each reviewer has differing opinions.

ANYWAY

Any recommendations on new subscriptions? FYI I'm not a PC gamer. And Game Informer just never clicked with me. Seems to commercialized and almost written by "jounalists with a job", not industry experts or enthusiasts.

segagamer

02-26-2009, 12:58 AM

Does anyone know when the final issue (the one with SF4 on the cover) will be posted online? Will it also be available as downloadable pdf file?

boatofcar

02-26-2009, 02:43 AM

Quick podcast update--1Up Yours is still running with a new title, Listen UP. It's still great IMO. I gave up on Rebel FM. It's way too immature and rambling. Now my big 4 gaming podcasts are Retronauts, Listen UP, Giant Bombcast, and Gamers With Jobs.

Yeah, maybe I listen to too many gaming podcasts, especially considering the amount of time I actually spend playing video games these days, but what can I say, those four are really well done.

Jorpho

03-02-2009, 09:31 AM

Have they started to decimate the 1Up website now too? I was just looking for their old "Crucial Classics" article and could not find it.

Gameboy Color

07-25-2011, 05:22 AM

So, necroposting an old topic to point out that EGM started printing again a few months ago.

Colorado Rockies

07-25-2011, 06:08 AM

So, necroposting an old topic to point out that EGM started printing again a few months ago.

Where can I get a subscription? I usually go to Amazon for mag subscriptions but they have been mysteriously eliminating vid game mags subscriptions lately.

Gameboy Color

07-25-2011, 06:34 AM

Where can I get a subscription? I usually go to Amazon for mag subscriptions but they have been mysteriously eliminating vid game mags subscriptions lately.

http://www.egmnow.com/subscribe

You could also check out Tenga or CAD, or just head to your local Walmart and grab a subscription card out of the latest issue.

dairugger

07-25-2011, 12:32 PM

I hope the new EGM mag has gotten better than when they first launched. I was actually very excited when they relaunched the mag only to find out their new layout was too clean looking, it was sparse. they had next to no coverage of the japanese market and focused more on fps. gone were tons of pics and reviews, replaced with tons of articles about how it was to be inside the industry.

it just wasnt the same, and now what i expected when i found out it was under the ownership of the founder of egm. honestly i found the new gamefan more to my liking, tons of glorious pics and tons of niche, import, and rpg coverage. only thing i dislike about gamefan is the huge size of the mag, its uk sized i believe.

Gameboy Color

07-25-2011, 04:08 PM

I've been picking through the latest issues and, honestly......I find them boring. The industry articles are interesting, but not all the time, particularly when it's basically all lamenting.

dairugger

07-25-2011, 05:52 PM

That's what it is, boring. Their layout is white on white minimalist ipod style. I rember I was sad when egn was canceled, and elated when they announced they were coming back. After the first couple issues tho I just didn't care, I NEVER thought that would happen. I've also noticed that the mags hard to find lately, I really hope they turn it around because I'm a big believer in print.

CelticJobber

07-25-2011, 06:33 PM

Yeah, the new EGM is far too sterile and boring compared with the old version.

Not enough photos, and way too much coverage of PC and FPS titles.

To show their mentality, one of the reviewers basically said that he only cares about HALO, CoD, and Gears of War in an article in the latest issue.

And I also hate the way they've gone to the one reviewer format. It was much better with atleast 2 or 3 reviewers for each game.

They also have pretty limited and inconsistent distribution. The only places I know of that sell it are a Target and Walmart in a bad part of town. The other Walmart and Target stores I've been to never have it.

dairugger

07-25-2011, 07:24 PM

i rember when they were talking about relaunching the mag they said it would be for the mature reader, who grew up playing games and grew up with EGM. I didnt know mature meant sterile and boring. Its as if the mag has no soul. and your right about them catering to the pc and fps crowd, which is fine but how about some variety?

I remember thumbing through a couple issues and finding their review were mainly for fps and western games, i remember thinking how jarring it was to see nothing but western made games when 5-8 years ago that was unthinkable. I think its awesome were making great games, years ago people steered clear of western made games or cringed when they got their hands on our favorite franchises (castlevania resurrection for DC), but the east still makes great games too.

its weird, sometimes its like the game industry went bizarro world on me, at my local gamestop they look at you weird when you ask about a anime game, and you can see them trying to see if you were on chris hanson's to catch a predator pedophile catching show if you dont show the slightest interest in the newest call of duty or its like. they make me feel so old and out of touch at the age of 33! lol

sorry for the rambling, thats what no sleep will do to you kids!

Gameboy Color

07-25-2011, 07:46 PM

I was thinking the low distribution was due to magazines becoming increasingly inefficient, considering that any 'new, hot off the press' gaming info could be found online at least a month prior. Makes buying magazines a low priority for games and stores notice this.

its weird, sometimes its like the game industry went bizarro world on me, at my local gamestop they look at you weird when you ask about a anime game, and you can see them trying to see if you were on chris hanson's to catch a predator pedophile catching show if you dont show the slightest interest in the newest call of duty or its like.

I know what you mean. I kept getting strange looks from employees when I made it known I was looking to get my hands on a copy of Hyperdimension Neptunia. It's a decent RPG that showed every sign of becoming expensively rare, hell yes I want a copy.

SparTonberry

07-25-2011, 08:29 PM

What else is new?
I can remember when I bought a used Pocky & Rocky and the guy said out loud "what the hell is this?"
A good game, and isn't GTA: Vice City or whatever they wanted you to buy in 2003. :)

dairugger

07-25-2011, 08:34 PM

I remember buying Dragon Quest 6 for myself and i had my 4 year old niece with me, the gs clerk said with a straight face he hadnt heard of a game called dragon quest vee eye, and if that wasnt enough made the asumption i was buying it for my niece, all from looking at the front/back of the box. i didnt know whether to laugh or cry..

joshnickerson

07-25-2011, 09:29 PM

I remember buying Dragon Quest 6 for myself and i had my 4 year old niece with me, the gs clerk said with a straight face he hadnt heard of a game called dragon quest vee eye

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLhcQfuSGcE/TbC9VER0R9I/AAAAAAAAAB8/l4Wio43GSIA/s1600/facepalm_picard2.jpg

Gamevet

07-25-2011, 10:30 PM

dairugger

07-25-2011, 10:54 PM

The last issue I bought was in February of this year. The price is $7 an issue, and what you get is hardly bigger than the $4 US magazine. It's like you're paying to read the flimsy magazine and use the codes to get the real content online. I don't know if I'll buy another issue. :(

that reminds me of the guide i bought at goodwill recently for 1.99, it was for final fantasy 9, i dont have that particular guide so i thought it was a find. man was i wrong!, for those that dont know littered throughout the magazine are webaddresses and codes for playonline which no longer works, so the bradyguide is useless if you dont have access to the net, or the site is taken offline. its things like that that make me dislike digital distribution. it has its place and time, but ill take a hard copy any day!

Gameboy Color

07-25-2011, 10:57 PM

that reminds me of the guide i bought at goodwill recently for 1.99, it was for final fantasy 9, i dont have that particular guide so i thought it was a find. man was i wrong!, for those that dont know littered throughout the magazine are webaddresses and codes for playonline which no longer works, so the bradyguide is useless if you dont have access to the net, or the site is taken offline. its things like that that make me dislike digital distribution. it has its place and time, but ill take a hard copy any day!

Which is why God gave us both GFAQs and printers. Saved me so much money over the years it's not even funny.

dairugger

07-25-2011, 11:00 PM

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLhcQfuSGcE/TbC9VER0R9I/AAAAAAAAAB8/l4Wio43GSIA/s1600/facepalm_picard2.jpg

funny thing is thats the second time thats happend to me, apparently reading roman numerals is a lost art. the second time it happend to me was at walmart when i was looking for final fantasy IV, the poor girl came back to tell me via phone that they didnt have it, all they did have was final fantasy eye vee. rofl! at least she was a good sport about it.

Gamevet

07-25-2011, 11:21 PM

funny thing is thats the second time thats happend to me, apparently reading roman numerals is a lost art. the second time it happend to me was at walmart when i was looking for final fantasy IV, the poor girl came back to tell me via phone that they didnt have it, all they did have was final fantasy eye vee. rofl! at least she was a good sport about it.

You're talking about Walmart. The average employee never graduated highschool.

I was at the checkout register in Walmart this past Saturday. I watched in horror, as the lady had just finished scanning a package of chicken (the chicken juice spilled all over the scanner) and she kept swiping the taco seasoning package through the juices, wondering why it wouldn't scan. I quickly grabbed a roll of paper towels from the register behind me and told her she needed to clean up the mess. I then grabbed a bottle of Windex and told her she needed to disinfect the surface. She didn't have a clue.

Gameboy Color

07-25-2011, 11:38 PM

You're talking about Walmart. The average employee never graduated highschool.

I was at the checkout register in Walmart this past Saturday. I watched in horror, as the lady had just finished scanning a package of chicken (the chicken juice spilled all over the scanner) and she kept swiping the taco seasoning package through the juices, wondering why it wouldn't scan. I quickly grabbed a roll of paper towels from the register behind me and told her she needed to clean up the mess. I then grabbed a bottle of Windex and told her she needed to disinfect the surface. She didn't have a clue.

It's more likely that she didn't care. I find that happens a lot with Walmart employees (well, unless you're in Georgia).

boatofcar

07-25-2011, 11:41 PM

that reminds me of the guide i bought at goodwill recently for 1.99, it was for final fantasy 9, i dont have that particular guide so i thought it was a find. man was i wrong!, for those that dont know littered throughout the magazine are webaddresses and codes for playonline which no longer works, so the bradyguide is useless if you dont have access to the net, or the site is taken offline. its things like that that make me dislike digital distribution. it has its place and time, but ill take a hard copy any day!

The Bradygames FF9 guide is infamous as a template on how not to do a strategy guide, and was really the breaking point for a lot of fans, including me. Check out its Amazon review page. http://www.amazon.com/Final-Fantasy-Official-Strategy-Guide/dp/0744000416

Gamevet

07-26-2011, 12:08 AM

It's more likely that she didn't care. I find that happens a lot with Walmart employees (well, unless you're in Georgia).

I've done countless remodel projects for Wal-Mart. I've been all over the state of Texas, providing the network cabling and video network upgrades for those remodeled stores. I've witnessed the absolute stupidest things from employees at these stores, including a guy that told me he was at the game when Michael Jordon won the Superbowl. Believe me, 75% of these people rode the short bus to school. Wal-mart is the place to get a job, when no one else will hire you.

jcalder8

07-26-2011, 12:09 AM

that reminds me of the guide i bought at goodwill recently for 1.99, it was for final fantasy 9, i dont have that particular guide so i thought it was a find. man was i wrong!, for those that dont know littered throughout the magazine are webaddresses and codes for playonline which no longer works, so the bradyguide is useless if you dont have access to the net, or the site is taken offline. its things like that that make me dislike digital distribution. it has its place and time, but ill take a hard copy any day!
I went through the same thing with this guide. I had such high hopes for it when I first saw it.

retroman

07-26-2011, 01:32 AM

did i miss something, or is this just old, but last i know of EGM i back and kicking

Gameboy Color

07-26-2011, 03:25 AM

I've done countless remodel projects for Wal-Mart. I've been all over the state of Texas, providing the network cabling and video network upgrades for those remodeled stores. I've witnessed the absolute stupidest things from employees at these stores, including a guy that told me he was at the game when Michael Jordon won the Superbowl. Believe me, 75% of these people rode the short bus to school. Wal-mart is the place to get a job, when no one else will hire you.

Totally different in south Georgia. Every Walmart I went into was immaculate and people who didn't even work there took time to make sure the place was kept clean. It's like a different world.

did i miss something, or is this just old, but last i know of EGM i back and kicking

Do you hate grammar? I think you hate grammar.

SpaceHarrier

07-26-2011, 05:26 AM

I purchased the relaunch issue of EGM, but haven't bought anymore since.. though I often thumb through them at newsstands. I find the tone too negative, the interviews too focused on insider junk and politics. Like others have said.. it's just a plain ol' bore now. Has too much of that noobgamer, uppity snob attitude that made me swear off EGM at the #200 mark.

Enjoyed the new Gamefan, but I can't even find it anywhere now. The thing is.. I keep most of the video game magazines I buy -- for years! I still have the first issue of EGM I ever bought .. November 1991! What an issue! I still read through it from time to time. I enjoy catching on to details about games I might not have cared about back in the day, but suddenly -- all these years later -- I am totally into. So, great screenshot layouts and info about the creation of the game are things that matter to me. Insider mumbo-jumbo about the state of the industry.. not so much.

Oh well, I still love Nintendo Power.. when there is nothing new to cover, they just fill the mag up with pictures of retro games! It's always the 20th-25th anniversary of something from the NES days. LOL

Gamevet

07-26-2011, 07:31 AM

Totally different in south Georgia. Ever Walmart I went into was immaculate and people who didn't even work there took time to make sure the place was kept clean. It's like a different world.

No it's not. I've been in high profile Wal-Marts like the affluent area of Plano. I've been in the breakrooms witnessing the level of stupidity first hand. The management may be on top of their game, but the grunts are pretty much clueless.

Do you hate grammar? I think you hate grammar.

Ever?:p

Gameboy Color

07-26-2011, 08:36 PM

No it's not. I've been in high profile Wal-Marts like the affluent area of Plano. I've been in the breakrooms witnessing the level of stupidity first hand. The management may be on top of their game, but the grunts are pretty much clueless.

:/ Guess I just wandered into a few good ones, then.

Ever?:p

A slip of the tongue (or finger, I guess) isn't quite the same as aborting a sentence half way through. Meaning taken, however, I'll go fix that.

RPG_Fanatic

07-26-2011, 10:50 PM

I subscribed last year when they launched again and my subscription has ran out. I'm not re-subscribing, it's just not that good.

The 1 2 P

07-26-2011, 10:56 PM

I subscribed last year when they launched again and my subscription has ran out. I'm not re-subscribing, it's just not that good.

Same here. I liked it but it's no where near as great as it once was. Once my subscription ran out a month ago I decided not to resubscribe. Part of this was that I really don't like the direction they are going in and the other part is that I feel they will be canceled before that subscriptions 12 issues are fulfilled. Also $19.99 is too much for one year.