Kotaku: Electronic Gaming Monthly

Print Version Of EGM May Be On Its Way Out

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:40:31 MST

Ziff Davis may shutter Electronic Gaming Monthly, according to Jason Young, CEO of the ailing publisher. The company announced earlier this week it was shutting down the print version of PC Magazine, a publication that has been in existence for 27 years, shifting focus to its online sibling. And it may do the same for EGM.

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]

Download EGM #1 In Mint Condition

Mark Wilson — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:20:00 MDT

The first issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly ran back in May of 1989. But even those of us who read it probably don't still have the issue on their nearest coffee table. Now Retromags has gone back in time, stolen some poor kid's reading material and posted it out of spite. Well, that, or they paid a bit too much for an antique issue after months of searching, spent hours retouching any signs of aging in Photoshop and then made it available to us in PDF for free. You can go with whichever version of the story best reaffirms your faith in humanity and the power of the human spirit. We'll be catching up on the latest rumors about Mega Man 2.

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

Ziff-Davis Money Troubles Come To A Head

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:20:45 MDT

The publisher of Electronic Gaming Monthly and Games for Windows Magazine, Ziff-Davis Media, failed to make an interest payment yesterday and announced that it was negotiating with its lenders to restructure a rather sizable debt. The company, which also owns the web sites 1UP, FileFront, GameVideos, MyCheats and GameTab, owes some $390 million, a figure which CEO Josh Young says "was put on the company when it was a very different scale." The group now employs less than 300, down from 1200 at one point.

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]

EGM Prints Halo 3 Covers, And We Like Them

Mark Wilson — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:40:40 MDT

We've already heard about the customizable armor, but customizable weapons? (Update: OK, no customizable weapons, but still cool.) EGM is running a series of three covers for their exclusive 19-page Halo 3 printgasm this month. Check out the other two covers after the jump, and let us know if you spot anything unusual. I'm not a big Halo fan, but this coverart is freaking hot.

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.

Get A Free EGM Script

Brian Crecente — Thu, 25 May 2006 08:07:38 MDT

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

Free Subscription