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]

It seems that the vast majority of the industry professionals in the video agree. Games journalism has definitely changed drastically over the past decade, though definitely not for the worse...unless of course you're a big fan of magazines. I was actually discussing this with a friend this past weekend, how the internet hasn't just given us more information, but a greater hunger for information that desperately needs to be sated, and sated relatively quickly. People just aren't satisfied reading a story two months after the news hits anymore. That's where websites like the one you are currently reading come in.

Having grown up plastering video game ads from magazines on my wall as a child and having to avoid slipping on a deep pile of said magazines every time I had to use the bathroom, I am a little bit nostalgic for the heyday of print. Printing out banner ads on my inkjet just isn't the same, and the bathroom is not the best place for a laptop.

Sadly, the French magazine is available only in French (the cheek of them!). And we don't do French. But preview pages of this month's issue, the mag's fifth, make us wish we did. Mostly because we're suckers for shoeless pics of the perennially shoeless Keita Takehashi.

While we all wait for an English-language edition of the publication to launch, you can browse a few preview pages on the mag's site at the link below.

[Amusement 5, via Offworld]

Rage won't be out until 2010, according to id's Tim Hollenshead, meaning this summertime preview of the game will still mean a substantial wait. Game Informer promises "tons of exclusive dirt on the post-apocalyptic title, including plenty of gameplay details and loads of screens," so I hope the magazine got my change of address all sorted out.

The shooter is likely to be the last title id Software releases with EA Partners, now that it's owned by ZeniMax Media.

August Cover Revealed [Game Informer]

While EGM folded as a print publication earlier this year, interest in the magazine and 12 to 24-month long subscriptions didn't. Rather than issue a refund, subscribers appear to be getting a replacement in Maxim. The 14-year-old men's mag does cover video games in addition to breasts, so readers won't be at a total loss. But given Maxim's preference of 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand to Killzone 2, we're not sure how well-served in reviews they'll be.

I have yet to receive my replacement copy of Maxim, but reader Jordan has. His first replacement issue comes with a note that subscribers can instead opt for a pro-rated refund for the balance of their EGM subscription.

It's doubtful that balance can be transferred to the attempt at reviving Electronic Gaming Monthly by magazine founder Steve Harris. But, hey, boobs.

According to early, still rumored details from the mag, Max Payne 3 will move the series to Sao Paulo, Brazil, featuring a paunchier, balder, more heavily bearded Payne. The game is said to take place more than a decade after Max Payne 2, but the middle-aged pot-bellied Payne hasn't lost his penchant for "bullet time" slow-motion action over the years. That mechanic is reportedly still intact.

Another rumored update is that Max Payne 3 will feature some sort of multiplayer component. We'll have to wait until the newest issue of Game Informer arrives at the office to learn more.

Max Payne 3 is slated for release sometime this Winter. Thanks to Patrick for the early details.

Oh sure, technically we've already had a first look at the follow up to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, most recently thanks to a fifteen second teaser featuring actual gameplay. But we have a feeling that Game Informer's look at Modern Warfare 2 is details-packed—far more informative than the highly stylized teaser trailer from GDC.

The magazine also promises a look at another Activision-published title—the only other game appearing on the Activision-exclusive cover—with DJ Hero getting first look treatment.

Subscribers should hurry up and wait for the June issue to hit their mailboxes!

Game Informer June 2009 Cover [GI]

The premise - "Seven Game Magazine Covers We Wish Existed." I guess that would mean anything on the cover of the dearly departed EGM. Of the dirty half-dozen, the one for PC Gamer bullseyes its target. Of course, the final rag in this series hits a little close to home for me.

Not sure what else is going on with -Minus World. Miggs kept tipping me to funny stuff, and I hope it didn't overrun their bandwidth. Certainly with Gamespy he won't run into that trouble anymore.

Seven Video Game Magazine Covers We Wish Existed [Gamespy]

According to a post from Campbell at his new venture GameBizBlog.com, the departure of Edge Online's senior team, which includes news reporter Kris Graft and editor Rob Crossley, follows a shift in control. Campbell says that publisher Future UK decided late last year to relocate the online presence from San Francisco to West England, a decision he says was an attempt to "integrate" the print and online versions of Edge.

"Edge-Online's new bosses claim they want to 'integrate' the online and print facets of the magazine. I believe this to be an error," Campbell wrote. "Although the Edge voice ought to be maintained throughout all its activities, any attempt to reshape a dynamic daily website in the image of a monthly print magazine is conceptually and practically highly problematic."

Future rebranded the web site, formerly known as Next-Gen.biz, as Edge Online last year. The new Edge web site is now being helmed by print deputy editor Alex Wiltshire.

Campbell clearly disagrees with the planned integration, writing "The story of the game industry is now being told via lightning fast websites and blogs of phenomenal competence and editorial quality. The days when giant print brands dominated the mediascape are over."

Why Edge-Online's Whole Team Quit [GameBizBlog via Develop

The venture, according to a report from GameDaily, will see games published for the iPhone as well as through Microsoft's XNA initiative. Telling GameDaily that GamePro Labs will be "fueled by grassroots independent game developers," it sounds like the mag-turned-game label has designs on moving beyond indie development.

GamePro plans to reveal some of its games at the upcoming Game Developers Conference.

With GamePro one of the few remaining print publications still thriving as magazines and web sites go under, it's not surprising that it's looking to expand. The "Regular promotion in GamePro Magazine" perk for signing up with GamePro Labs is probably going to rub some people the wrong way, however, no matter how much disclosure the magazine's editors provide.

GamePro Reels in Ziff Sales Staff, Launching Games Publishing Label [GameDaily]

The mag reveals the first concrete details on Terminator Salvation, the video game adaptation of the movie directed by McG and starring a mentally unhinged Christian Bale. Developed by Bionic Commando devs GRIN, Terminator Salvation apparently has an "epic story," "numerous menacing Terminator machines" and "weapons," according to GamePro's preview.

Halcyon Games announced its intentions to bring the GRIN-developed Terminator Salvation – The Videogame to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and PC in November, promising "a visceral story with extremely polished production values to create a fully interactive Terminator experience.”

It also has a very scary look at the T-600, the massive Terminator new to the apocalyptic sci-fi franchise. It's huge! And its eyes glow!

Warning: GamePro says the issue is "about to blow your face off like the enormous Earth-incinerating blast depicted in Terminator 2: Judgment Day." Read carefully and with a spare face.

GamePro's Terminator Salvation cover story revealed [GamePro]

According to the magazine's teaser, Singularity "features mind-bending gameplay that not only has the player jumping through time, but using it as a weapon." You get to combat those dirty Russkies, which is always a treat, so there's that.

The game was announced at E3 2008 via a teaser trailer, but we imagine Game Informer's coverage goes much further than the minute long video.

Even if you don't subscribe to the mag, Game Informer online will apparently have some Singularity flavored treats (ie. screen shots, videos, etc) for you later this week. Here's to hoping it's good — because I'm guessing as a "sci-fi shooter" it's going to need to do something spectacular to set itself from the pack.

Game Informer February Cover Revealed! [GI]

It's going for the "lifestyle" angle, blending gaming — and "geek topics," as described by founder and editor-in-chief Abdel Bounane — with fashion, art and culture, along with some stunning photo spreads for something out of the ordinary. PingMag's Jean Snow interviewed the Bounane about his mag, now three issues deep.

Bounane tells PingMag he was inspired to start up the publication because "there was a huge gap between the inventiveness of my primary passion — videogames— and the way it was treated in the press" citing video game press homogeny (and monopoly) as part of his inspiration.

It's an interesting take on a staid format, one that you can check out for yourself with the online versions of each issue. While it may seem easy to brush off Amusement as a vapid fashion rag with loose gaming references, it certainly appears that Bounane and company have a genuine interest in the art form and the tertiary forms it often flirts with.

Not to mention that the latest issue looks to have content of real interest to gamers, with interviews with Sony's Kaz Hirai, sci-fi author Michael Moorcock and film director Michel Gondry.

It's coming to the US and UK in 2009, if you find this sort of thing to your liking.

Amusement: Gaming Culture Meets Art and Fashion [PingMag]

Carbajal writes that concerns about the ability of Ziff Davis' gaming mag to continue beyond 2008 led the Mexican licensor of the EGM brand to shutter the mag. That means EGM fans south of the border will have to settle for the December 2008 issue, the one with Watchmen gracing the cover, as the mag's "adios" issue.

While we know the English language version will continue at least through its January issue, Ziff's CEO Jason Young sounds less confident in its ability to continue through the rest of the year.

It was reported last night that UGO was interested in buying the 1UP network of sites, but not the print version of EGM, another potential sign of weakness for the two-decade old mag.

Thanks to Josué Hernandez for the heads up.

EGM en Español (2002-2008) [Press-Start]

That's according to publisher Imagine's managing director Damian Butt. He tells MCV "The decision to suspend N•Revolution has been taken because it has become increasingly obvious that Nintendo’s strategy for Wii and DS is no longer in line with Imagine Publishing's target readership."

We know some people are taking Wii Music pretty hard, but killing off your print publication? That's sending a message.

Imagine confirms N•Revolution closure [MCV]

GameInformer's web tease on the PlayStation 3 title notes that the sequel "revolves around the 13th century explorer Marco Polo and his voyages." Uncharted 2 separates itself gameplay-wise with a new "free climbing mechanic and stealth gameplay." Ewww... stealth gameplay? The new stubble rendering I like, but I'm already feeling apprehensive about the S-word and the possibility of lots of ice levels.

The mag also promises a first look at Guitar Hero: Metallica which is almost guaranteed not to have any stealth segments, thank God.

January Issue Revealed [Game Informer - thanks, Max]

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]

Sydney, Australia, 17:00, 12 November 2008.

International Nintendo publishing partnership strengthened with new title

Future Publishing Australia have today announced a new agreement with Nintendo Australia to launch Official Nintendo Magazine – Australia and New Zealand.

Official Nintendo Magazine – Australia and New Zealand builds upon the existing relationship between the two companies, a partnership which currently extends to both the US and the UK, where Future publishes the official titles in both strategically important markets.

Greg Arthurton, Director of Marketing, Nintendo Australia said:

“We are really excited about the new agreement. By establishing a partnership with Future Publishing Australia, we are able to extend the Nintendo brand into a new environment with a locally produced magazine on the newsstands. We will also benefit from the well established relationship which already exists between the companies in other territories, and we will integrate that into the way we work together here too. We definitely see the magazine as being an important part of our evolving communications strategy in this region, not least to ensure our customers can get the best out of their consoles with a complementary offering.”

As in other markets, Official Nintendo Magazine – Australia and New Zealand will reflect that the Nintendo proposition is evolving and changing. Whilst the console platforms continue to engage with a traditional fan base, Nintendo is also seeking to extend its reach by targeting non-traditional gamers too. The new audience are delivered a breadth of family-focussed and self-improvement software, whereas the die hard gamers are still served with favourites such as Mario, Zelda and Pokemon titles and innovative developments as well.

Nic Healey, Managing Editor, Future Australia said:

“Official Nintendo Magazine – Australia and New Zealand will be the definitive source of Nintendo news and features for both the traditional gamer, and the new audience of Nintendo fans too. We will be able to draw upon Future’s international content, and we will also be working with some of Australia’s leading games journalists to produce our own Australian focused content too. Our Official status gives us unlimited access to the newest Nintendo games and the people who make them, as well as the latest developments on the console platforms.”

Karl Penn, Managing Director, Future Publishing Australia, added:

"We are genuinely honoured to be given the opportunity to partner with Nintendo Australia, and to work with one of the world's iconic entertainment brands. At Future we base everything we do around clusters of like-minded individuals who are passionate about their interests. At this time of overwhelming choice on the newsstands, people want good quality, trusted editorial content more than ever before which is what Future does best. Certainly the unique Official status will ensure it’s further differentiated against other existing and imported Nintendo titles. Official Nintendo Magazine – Australia and New Zealand will be a magazine for this market, but it will also benefit from our pool of internationally created content and the resources we are able to draw upon.”

The first issue of Official Nintendo Magazine – Australia and New Zealand goes onsale in December 2008. The title will be published monthly with a cover price of $8.95. The magazine will be distributed nationally in both Australia and New Zealand, with the first issue packaged as a Special Edition.

Considering what we've seen so far, which consists of little more than a teaser trailer, box art and a quick info dump from the boys at Bungie, we're excited to see what the game looks like. Our most educated guess is that it looks like Halo 3 with some Earth bits scattered around, but you never know.

Game Informer December 2008 Cover Revealed! [GI]

The issue also features "the future of fitness" brought to you by video games. Fitness has changed.

The magazine's cover promises to clue Men's Fitness readers into Zelnick's fitness regiment, which helps Strauss stay "in the best shape of his life." We'll tell you straight up: the man bench presses overstock Big Daddy statues between protein shakes. True story!

Take-Two’s Strauss Zelnick, First Game Exec To Land A Fitness Mag Cover [Das Gamer]