Announced last year, the new Electronic Gaming Monthly will be lead by publisher Steve Harris, one of the original mag's founders. Joining Harris will be former EGM and 1UP regulars, Dan "Shoe" Hsu, Demian Linn, Seanbaby, Ryan O'Donnell and Matt Chandronait.

The April issue—yes, still due in March—will feature a special code for a copy of the electronic version of Electronic Gaming Monthly, known as EGM[i]: The Digital Magazine.

EGM MEDIA, LLC ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT WITH TIME/WARNER RETAIL SALES & MARKETING FOR NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY MAGAZINE [EGM Now via Joystiq]

Owner Steve Harris says:

First and foremost, we're planning to incorporate digital content within the magazine. This includes professionally-produced video, audio and other types of content. We're also going to make this content fully transportable. ... There's now a heightened consumer interest in the transportability of information and using applications to do things like read content on an iPhone. We benefit not only from the technology but from the consumer's willingness to use it. The new Electronic Gaming Monthly will let you take your magazine and its content from print to computer to wireless devices — even to your television — as well as enable subscribers and single-copy purchasers to enhance that experience every step of the way. We are embracing that reality [and] will enable it and encourage it.

So you pay for the "mag", and in return receive content that can be read (or watched, or listened to) across multiple formats. Interesting. Very interesting.

Big Hints at EGM's Future [Bitmob]

According to an announcement, Harris has acquired publishing rights and trademarks to EGM, with plans to restart the print publication in the second half of this year.

Harris calls the relaunch of Electronic Gaming Monthly a "welcome opportunity to continue delivering quality content to gaming enthusiasts," saying the new EGM team has "exciting plans for the evolution of what will once again be a leading independent voice for the gaming community."

The mag has the enthusiastic, but not necessarily financial backing of Ziff Davis.

"We are pleased that EGM is now in the hands of its original creator, Steve Harris, and wish him and the publication the best of success in the future," says Ziff CEO Jason Young.

The press release states that we'll hear more about the new EGM at next week's E3 expo. For now, a placeholder site featuring the announcement, with links to the resuscitated mag's Twitter and Facebook accounts resides at EGMnow.com.

"ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY" FOUNDER EXECUTES CONTRACT TO ACQUIRE PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLISHING RIGHTS TO EGM MAGAZINE [EGM - thanks, Anthony!]

Next year will be EGM's 20th year in print, should it last until summer of 2009 for its two decade anniversary. Young tells the New York Times that Ziff Davis is "considering" moving EGM to an online-only format on 1UP.com, but would not make the decision before end of year.

Young blamed rising costs associated with print and decreased advertising as reasons for the closing of PC Magazine.

Ziff Davis filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and is working on eliminating its debt. The publisher has shut down a number of print pubs over the past few years, including the Official PlayStation Magazine, GMR and most recently Games For Windows: The Magazine.

PC Magazine, a Flagship for Ziff Davis, Will Cease Printing a Paper Version [New York Times via Gamasutra]

Electronic Gaming Monthly Issue 001 (May 1989) [Retromags via GnomesLair]

Ziff-Davis has been trying to reduce some of its debt by selling off properties, attempting to court buyers for other pubs, and has cut down the number of magazines under its umbrella, shutting down the Official PlayStation Magazine earlier this year.

No, it doesn't sound good, but Young says that "Operationally, we're in very good shape." I'll tell you who's in good shape; GameVideos' Mark MacDonald! Guy must've run track in high school or something.

ZIFF SKIPS PAYMENT [NY Post]

What will we do with axe blades on pistols? More like, what won't we do with axe blades on pistols.

I told you. Freakin' hot.

Ziff-Davis sends word that they're handing out free one-year subscriptions to Electronic Gaming Monthly via a World Cyber Games sponsorship. The offer is limited so hit it like quick. The offer lasts through Friday or while supplies last, which ever comes first. Brian Crecente

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