While the majority of reviewers judging Killzone 2 have enjoyed it enough to hand out five stars, ten out of ten, or whatever maximum score allowed under their review systems, Edge wasn't so kind. It strayed from the reviewer pack with a damning 7 out of 10. Brace yourselves.

Obviously, in modern day review terms, in which the scale typically runs from 6 to 10, with 6 being nigh unplayable and 10 being "perfect," we have a problem on our hands. Or do we?

No. We don't.

One of the neat things about Edge is, it has a hard-on for innovation. Even neater, it uses the entire range of the scale, not just just comfortable 6 to 10 zone. Clearly, when reading the written critique of Killzone 2, the issues it takes with the game's characters, story (or lack thereof), and gameplay clichés, the numerical score provided to it — seemingly the most contentious aspect of the review — begins to make more sense.

It just doesn't quite fit in with the Metacritic average, thanks to a broad range of review outlets all being essentially held to the same review process. And, hey, it's better than the average "User Review" score, currently a mix of emotionally invested fanboy rating which we're going to assume are a blend of heated 1s and 10s.

We can't quite say how good Killzone 2 is just yet. We haven't played enough of the game's multiplayer to officially review it — though Brian Crecente has completed the single-player portion of it and is rumored to have really liked it. Personally, I've only played pre-beta builds, giving me almost no indication of the final quality of the game.

But I'm looking forward to it. And looking forward to going in fresh, unfettered by reviews and scores and nonsense. After all, everyone else has praised the game for its "unparalleled graphics, incredibly well-paced single-player campaign," its "extremely deep multiplayer" and a "keen attention to style and detail." And, hey, that sounds pretty good!

Killzone 2: The Edge Verdict [Edge Online]

An unconfirmed rumor also names Wilson as possibly the person behind the last-minute offer to buy Hardcore Gamer. The New York Times quotes mag owner Tim Lindquist as saying that an unnamed suitor "who had recently sold his video game business" dropped by an hour before the auction was due to close and offered a bit more than Lindquist's asking price.

The deal for the mag, rights and associated domain names, isn't quite done yet, but is expected to be finalized this week.

Reached for comment Tuesday afternoon, Wilson was first coy about the possibility that he sold his game publishing company to SouthPeak only to jump into the video game journalism business.

"Awesome rumor! I hope (the magazine I own is) Tiger Beat!"

But later said that he did talk to the magazine.

"I did talk to them and would love to help the guys find a way to stay in business, because they do it just for the love of it, and you know I have a serious soft spot for dedicated indies. But I did not and am not buying them."

But is Wilson perhaps part of a group picking up the magazine? Wilson declined to say.

He did say that he's currently currently entertaining offers for SubstanceTV.com and that he's busy putting on a charity burlesque event in Austin, Texas for Valentine's Day.

We only have the rest of the week to wait to see if he is a part of the upcoming mag deal mentioned in the New York Times.

I get the feeling this is a sort of swan song for the aging console, but what do you guys think? Is this the last time a PS2 title will grace the cover of a major multi-platform gaming mag, or does the little black box still have some life in it yet?

I had no clue they were even doing a Girl Gamer magazine in the United Kingdom, much less one with a pink title and a focus on the Nintendo side of gaming. According to a press release issued by the company, "The debut issue, which was distributed in November proved a fantastic success with readers and software publishers alike". Indeed the launch went so smoothly that we weren't even aware it happened. I am assuming they kept us out of the loop in order to secure valuable girl secrets that we men just couldn't handle.

UK Kotakuites can look forward to seeing the latest Girl Gamer packed in alongside other quality girl publications, such as Panini's Bliss aimed at 12-16 year old girls, and Mizz for the 10-14 set. About the right time for ladies to put aside those hopes and dreams and start picking out baby clothes.

I know what some of you are thinking here. Promoting a game about making babies and being a good mother to children at such a young age in a magazine that tosses around more pink that an explosion at the Pepto factory might give girls a jaded view of the potential they have to do great things in the world. Poppycock I say! What bad could possibly come from teaching young girls about raising babies?

Beckett Massive Online Gamer Packed with Exclusive Content Now on Shelves

Dallas, TX - November 28, 2007 - Fresh off the press, the latest issue of Beckett Massive Online Gamer magazine (Issue December/January - Vol. 2 No. 6 Issue 10) is on retail shelves with hard-hitting exclusive interviews, an exclusive item from Everquest II, and insider feature stories readers won't find anywhere else.

Among the many exciting features packing this issue:

* Exclusive Everquest II: Rise of Kunark Exclusive in-game item available for all Massive Online Gamer subscribers. The retrieval key code and instructions are available on pg 21 of this issue. The in-game item is a first ever and only animated portrait available of Venril Sathir.
* Exclusive Interview with the Everquest II: Rise of Kunark Development Team.
* Exclusive Interview with Richard Garriott, the creator of Tabula Rasa.
* Everquest II Shard of Fear Zone Guide and Quests.
* Interview with Kevin Balentine, PR Director for Stargate Worlds and some Exclusive Art and Images.
* Interview with Hermann Peterscheck, Producer of Jumpgate Evolution.
* World of Warcraft complete details for Conquering Karazhan.

Additional Coverage: Pirates of the Burni ng Sea, Rappelz, The Agency, Guild Wars: Eye of North, Mythos, and much more. Also, don't forget to vote for your favorite MMO's for the MMO Reader's Choice Awards. For more information about Beckett Massive Online Gamer Magazine, please visit the official website for the magazine, http://www.beckettmog.com.

OPM rises again this November with a new set of letters and a brand new publisher. Exactly one year after Ziff-Davis set Official Playstation Magazine adrift into the sea of dead print media, Future U.S. will relaunch Playstation: The Official Magazine.

Future, publisher's of the UK version of OPM, also managed to snag Rob Smith, former editor-in-chief of PSM, to run their new mag. The first edition of the 13-issue-a-year magazine will hit in late November with a 300,000 circulation run.

"Future US has a strong heritage delivering cutting-edge insight into the industry, and we are looking forward to a long standing relationship to deliver unrivaled exclusive content to PlayStation fans," said Peter Dille, Senior Vice President, Marketing and PLAYSTATION(R)Network, SCEA. "We're very excited to be working with a group that is nearly as passionate about our brand as we are ourselves and we look forward to working with Future on many innovative ideas they have to create a best in class enthusiast publication."

The fact that PSM UK seems to be doing quite fine overseas leads me to believe that maybe Ziff-Davis' retreat from the pub was more about their financial stability than the well-being of the magazine itself.

Sony Computer Entertainment America and Future US Announce the Creation of
'PlayStation(R): The Official Magazine'

Future US to Publish First Monthly Issue in Time for Holidays

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) and Future US, Inc, the leading publisher of cutting-edge special interest magazines and websites, today announced that they have agreed to terms to publish PlayStation(R): The Official Magazine. The first full Future US-published issue of PlayStation(R): The Official Magazine will be the Holiday 2007 edition, on sale in late November. The initial circulation will be 300,000 copies and the frequency will be 13 issues per year. Future US will produce and oversee all the editorial and advertising sales for the magazine.
PlayStation(R): The Official Magazine will be the definitive news, previews and reviews publication for PlayStation(R) enthusiasts and users. It will offer users unprecedented access to the world of PlayStation and product special features made possible by the magazines' exclusive relationship with SCEA. Rob Smith, formerly editor-in-chief of PSM-Independent PlayStation Magazine, will be the new editor-in-chief of PlayStation(R): The Official Magazine. Future US' parent company, international special-interest media company Future plc, publishes Official Sony PlayStation Magazine in the United Kingdom and licenses it in numerous other countries.
"Future US has a strong heritage delivering cutting-edge insight into the industry, and we are looking forward to a long standing relationship to deliver unrivaled exclusive content to PlayStation fans," said Peter Dille, Senior Vice President, Marketing and PLAYSTATION(R)Network, SCEA. "We're very excited to be working with a group that is nearly as passionate about our brand as we are ourselves and we look forward to working with Future on many
innovative ideas they have to create a best in class enthusiast publication."
"We are enormously pleased to be selected to publish the Official title for one of the world's great entertainment brands," said Simon Whitcombe, Publishing Director, Future US. "Future's international heritage is as a PlayStation publisher. PSM sold more than 40 million copies over its lifetime and we have published the Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK since 1995. We're honored that SCEA recognizes the excellence and experience that we can
bring to the license and to PlayStation fans all over the world."

Like it or not, being a centerfold or getting an invite to the Playboy Mansion is a very difficult achievement that some people admire. Having Playboy in Second Life is probably the closest most people will get to the brand, and there is a market for men and women (and men acting as women, and vice versa) who want to be a part of it. Kim Phu

Playboy Magazine Enters Second Life [3pointd]

Kotaku readers may recall the birthing of the Iris Network, which its founders say was partially fueled by the "rabidly misogynistic sentiments" of this very blog. I originally thought that this was, in part, related to some well thought expert analysis on how I hate women on par with Muslim extremists, but is actually mostly Ashcraft's fault.

For the other half who feel (understandably) misrepresented in the women in games space, you may want to check out their first issue. Topics include crafting, making games that appeal to women and the problem with female avatars. Michael McWhertor

Cerise [via The In-Between]

They take away one of the staples of bathroom reading in the states, and the UK version gets a partnership with SCEE to toss out a Blu-ray disc every month? I know Europe is the most important continent and all, but come on. Makes you wonder what Ray Maguire, the managing director of SCE UK is thinking...

We are very excited to partner with Future to offer a playable Blu-ray disc to UK PlayStation 3 owners. The high capacity of Blu-ray media is the perfect method to distribute large volumes of unique existing, and user-generated content in HD, showcasing PS3's multimedia capabilities to the full. Combined with the PlayStation Network Store, we're offering a content distribution channel unmatched anywhere else in the industry.

Probably for the best that we don't get it here, actually. I can't open a drawer in my house without finding an old, untouched OPM or OXM disc in it. The demos will be downloadable via the store, and I finished building my demo disc fort in the backyard months ago. Michael Fahey

Monthly Blu-ray disc for Official PlayStation Magazine

Sony Computer Entertainment and Future team up for world's first Blu-ray covermount

11/04/07 - Future, the UK's leading games media publisher, is delighted to announce that, in partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), Official PlayStation Magazine will carry the world's first monthly playable Blu-ray covermount from June onwards.

The first playable Blu-ray disc comes with issue 7 of Official PlayStation Magazine, on sale Friday, 1st June. The disc promises to be packed with playable demos of key SCEE and third party software titles, with full details of content being announced shortly.

As the disc develops, Future fully intends to support the advanced capabilities of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) and the Blu-ray media, delivering multimedia content and unique user-generated content. The disc will also include Hi-Definition (HD) game and movie trailers. Official PlayStation Magazine will be the ONLY title to offer gamers a playable demo disc, direct from SCEE.

Ray Maguire, Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment UK (SCE UK) said:

"We are very excited to partner with Future to offer a playable Blu-ray disc to UK PlayStation 3 owners. The high capacity of Blu-ray media is the perfect method to distribute large volumes of unique existing, and user-generated content in HD, showcasing PS3's multimedia capabilities to the full. Combined with the PlayStation Network Store, we're offering a content distribution channel unmatched anywhere else in the industry. Furthermore, it also marks another key development in the pioneering relationship between SCEE and Future, which began in 1995.

Publisher of Official PlayStation Magazine, Matt Pierce added:

"We are delighted that Official PlayStation Magazine will deliver to its readers a monthly playable disc, and the world's first covermounted Blu-ray disc. Future has worked closely with Sony since 1995 to offer playable demo discs for PlayStation, PlayStation 2 (PS2) and PlayStation Portable (PSPT), and we will be working hard to ensure gamers get the very best content for their PS3 as well"

Issue 7 of Official PlayStation Magazine - with the world's first covermounted Blu-ray disc, hits stores on Friday, 1st June, priced 5.99.

PSP World reports that Load magazine is now available in a downloadable jpeg format formatted to fit on your Playstation Portable.

I've never heard of Load before, but the latest issue features interviews with the bands The Colour, Monarchy Music and Delta Spirit, it also has a decent list of album reviews, life reviews, film reviews some art and television features and reviews of Kirby's Adventure and Excite Truck. Brian Crecente

Load Magazine [PC version]
Load Magazine [PSP Version]

The man who brought us Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, is bringing us an "open-source magazine" about video games called "Gaming Wikia." Actually, there are four of these Wikia "magazines" — Music, cars, health and, as previously mentioned, games. Wired's Chris Kohler puts it best: Think NeoGAF, but run amock and with the abilities to edit content. Says company V.P. Dan Lewis,

The 'open-source magazines' we're unveiling today are focused largely around topics where passionate people have already started collaborating online. The launch of Tunes, Cars, Gaming and Health is a continuation of our mission to open-source the creation and development of content around every topic imaginable—so we are obviously not stopping here.

User generated content matters. Just take a look at our comments section. I'm curious to see how this pans out, though. Could be fantastic. Or not. Brian Ashcraft

Wikia Gaming "Mag" Press Release [Game|Life via 1Up]

If you're looking to write about videogames for a living, Edge magazine would certainly be one of the better places to do it.

The site just posted this little help wanted item:

If you've ever wanted to write about videogames in a professional capacity, or you already do so and you're looking to develop your career, now may be the time to do something about it.

Edge is expanding its editorial team, and is seeking a new writer and deputy editor.

Full details of the requirements for applicants can be found here (writer) and here (deputy editor). You'll need to be quick, however, because the vacancies' closing dates are February 26 and March 1 respectively.

Good luck.

So if you want to write, then hit the link, unless you're in San Francisco, then email us instead. ;) Brian Crecente

Edge is Hiring [Edge Online]

Don't let Mario's overalls fool you, Nintendo likes money just as the next console maker. No surprises there — Memories do come flooding back to when Nintendo announced Wii pricing and many flipped out at parting with US $250 as opposed to the rumored $199. Newsweek's got a piece up on the Wii about demand for the machine, the radio contest fiasco and a few blurbs from Nintendo's Perrin Kaplan. Regarding the contest, Kaplan offered her condolences and stressed that Nintendo had nothing to do with it. Regarding the shortages, she said:

We produce a healthy number, with more shipments coming weekly. We're not sure what more we could have done to meet such overwhelming demand... We try to minimize that [airlifting in consoles as Sony did with the PS3], as air is costly. We're a profit-oriented company.

Yup, that you are. And turning a pretty penny from what we hear! Brian Ashcraft

Thanks Batmundo for the scan!

If you've never read The Escapist, you really owe it to yourself to check them out. As a matter of fact, you might have already seen mention of them in Mc Whertor's recent One Man's Descent Into Gaming Gender Bending article yesterday.

This month is Issue #77: Editor's Choice, where the Editor's have chosen a series of articles that they really liked, but had no place in their regular editorial calendar. This motley crew of articles includes:

• Confessions of an MMOG Cross-Dresser
• The Rise and Fall of Troika
• Maxis: Reflections on the Early Years
• Local Hero
• Who's Your Daddy? Why parents make great game developers.

• Great holiday reading for those lazy days at work when you're just biding your time until five o'clock hits or when you need a break from all that Wii sports that's making your arm tired. Flynn De Marco

  Issue 77: Editor's Choice [The Escapist]

  
  

If you're not getting all your gaming news from Glamour magazine—and really, why aren't you— then you could've missed this big spread on the new console. Between articles on "why the wrong man can be so right for you," comes word that the Wii is fem-friendly. Here are five reasons why:

• 1. Because isn't about time we had something he wants, but can't get his hands on?
• 2. Price per play it's cheaper than a swanky gym membership
• 3. Price per laugh it's better than a night out on the town
• 4. It's one more reason for the girls to come round and the boys to go out
• 5. Forget a designer sofa, this is the only home accessory a girl needs

There are also tips on hosting your own Wii party complete with cupcakes and cocktails. Heh... Brian Ashcraft

P.S. Taking a hint from Mike, I also apologize for any dick-related Wii references. Especially in the company of small children and old ladies.

Wii For Girls [UK:R]

We've had a bunch of emails in the past hour about a Swedish magazine that managed to spill a lot o details about Halo 3, but since Video Games Blogger managed to get their grubby paws on the thing and scan in the article, I think it's best to link to them.

According to VGB, the article reveals three levels, talks up new weapons, a vehicle and multiplayer features and reveals the face of the collector's edition. Here's the break down, from the site:

Three New Levels
- Valhalla = Blood gulch,
- High Ground = Zanzibar,
- Snowbound = Frost bite.

New Weapons
Spiker: Some sort of melee weapon.
Spartan Laser: An anti-vehicle weapon.
Nail Grenade: A grenade that sticks to the wall and shoots nails out when it explodes.
Apparently the Spiker and your secondary weapon will now actually be visible strapped to your back.

New Vehicle-
Mongoose: An ATV that carries two people, but has no weapons.

Multiplayer Features
Man Cannon: A device that shoots people into the air, much like a jump pad, though it sounds like it might be aimable.
No bots again. (boo)
The X button will have some special multiplayer feature, perhaps stealing a player's weapon.
Bumpers are now used to reload weapons independently.

Halo 3: Collector's Edition
It will be called the Legendary Edition and will come in a replica of the Master Chief's helmet and include four DVD discs.
- The first disc will be the game disc.
- The second will contain documentaries and developer comments.
- The third disc is all about the spin-off material that has been created (Red vs. Blue, Spark of Life etc).
- The fourth disc will contain all of the cut scenes from Halo 1 to 3 in HD. (you can see it on the 3rd photo)
- A taste of the Halo movie will be on one of the discs.

Sounds pretty damn cool. Hit the jump for more scans. Brian Crecente

Halo 3 Unveiled [Video Games Blogger]

The collaboration isn't that surprising, especially in the light of last week's news that ZD was looking for buyers for their magazines and website. It also makes a lot of sense for Microsoft, which seems to be really dedicated to launching the new Vista operating system as a true gaming platform.

An interesting bit of swagage connected to the deal popped up on the Quarter to Three forums where Ziff-Davis worker bee Jason Cross says that Msoft will be hooking up the magazine's writers with a free PC gaming rigs.

Another example of how Microsoft is taking things a bit more seriously:

You know how the press get free Xboxes or PS2s or Gamecubes (often dev units) in order to properly play and review games for those platforms? Well, if Vista is supposed to be this big gaming platform, why not do the same thing there? So they are. They're working together with VoodooPC and AMD to build gaming boxes - not crazy high-end but quite nice machines - with the latest build of Vista on 'em so everyone can have a reasonable fixed platform to test out Vista and Vista games. And they're going to send out upgrades to it over time (new vista builds, maybe new graphics cards or something).

In other words, they're treating Vista and the PC like a real platform. In fact, you'll see Vista games getting the same sort of unified box treatment and store presence that console games get.

I'm not sure why this makes me uncomfortable, but it does. Jason's right, it doesn't seem to be that different then Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo providing consoles to reviewers. I guess it's the ephemeral nature of PC specs that is bothersome. Instead of providing a single piece of hardware, Microsoft is going to have to keep a computer updated with the latest hardware. Also having the most up to date PC can really impact your gaming experience, and your reviews. What do you think? Brian Crecente

Update: Cross wrote to correct my misassumption that there would be more than one computer going to each magazine. Here, with his permission, is his explanation:

Long story short:

1) Microsoft is not hooking up "the magazine's writers with free PC
gaming rigs." They're sending out *one* Vista-optimized gaming rig each
to a bunch of gaming publications.

2) It's a very good PC, but we've seen higher specs from Dell, Voodoo,
Falcon, etc. It's not crazy high-end at all.

3) Microsoft will upgrade it, but not to keep it tippy-top spec. Just
major improvements that are Vista-related, like DX10 graphics and new
builds of Vista.

4) It's a Vista PC, so it's there to check out what Vista does for
games, not to review current PC games on. Reviewing games on a beta OS
is maybe not a great idea. Not to mention that 1 per publication isn't
nearly enough to have the "reviewers" at large using these machines.

By groups they mean EGM, OPM, CGM and websites 1Up and GameTab. I sure hope any possible sale doesn't lead to "restructuring." Brian Crecente

Ziff Davis for Sale? [VE3d]

Error Macro takes a look at the one consistent feature that showed up in every issue of Nintendo Power without fail: The contests.

As the site points out, the magazine started with lameo game give-aways, but quickly realized that gamers could just run to the store to get those, so they started branching out.

Over the years the magazine has given away the Robocop car, Bill and Ted's phone booth and a chance to meet stars. These grand give-aways didn't always come off without a hitch. The Total Recall contest, which gave gamers a chance to meet Arnie, took six months to happen and by then the meeting turned into a quick handshake. What are some of your favorite retro contests? Brian Crecente

The Saturday Scan [Error Macro]