Electronic Gaming Monthly is no more.

[Timstuff]

After two decades of circulation, long time industry staple EGM has been canceled upon the 1up network being purchased and downsized.

http://kotaku.com/5124928/1up-sold-to-hearst-corporation-egm-to-close-%5Bupdate%5D

The independent gaming magazine is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Game Informer is one of the few remaining giants, but many people are already questioning whether or not they'll be hit eventually too. This is a sad day for those of us who are fans of print.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

That sucks, I mean not for me personally as I never read it but still one less game mag is a bummer.

 

[Havok83]

Im actually surprised it lasted this long. In this age of the internet, who goes out and buys gaming mags on stands? As soon as they are released, any exclusive info they have is posted on board and/or scanned. Late breaking news, reviews and pictures travel to us a gamers faster on the net than waiting a month or 2 for the mags to catch up.

 

[dusk20]

Yeah that's the problem with gamer mags now days. Always a few weeks behind. Or those "exclusive" interviews that were written months before so all the information is known by the time it's released.......still love to pick up a gamer mag from time to time

 

[SuBe]

I've been getting EGM's for nearly 15 years straight. This makes me really sad.

 

[terry78]

I remember back buying my first one....and it featured stuff about Super Metroid. RIP, man. I remember when they moved from Chicago to San Fran, too.

 

[KALEL114]

I will never forget the greatness of this mag when I was younger. Every time a new issue came out, it was like Christmas. Some where I have a box of the first 20 issues. Remember how great the April issues were? Sheng Long FTW.

RIP EGM

 

[KALEL114]

Double Post

 

[Raiden]

EGM was my first gaming mag (back when they were called Electric Gaming Monthly), and I still remember the cover. It had Genesis' Ghouls & Ghosts as its featured story, with King Arthur throwing his lance at some pixelized ghoul. Like others, I have stopped buying those magazines, although I'm currently subscribed to Game Informer (a gift from my wife :heart, I mostly got my news online, like you guys. However, it still saddens me to see EGM ending their publication after 2 decades, and I wonder if other mags are also on the chopping block.

 

[Hush]

This is a shame but those thinking game informer will go away are mistaken seeing as its purposely distributed by Gamestop for a this very reason.

 

[Timstuff]

True. Game Informer has a smart business model, because they've got America's #1 game retailer pushing them at just about anyone who buys a new game. EGM, on the other hand, was not so fortunate. Also, there are rumors (which may or may not be true) that Game Informer has an easier time attracting advertiser because they have a more lenient editorial staff (EGM had a long history of being dropped by advertisers because they wouldn't give high marks to a sucky game). Not saying it's true, but that's what some people believe.

I'm pretty sure that the official magazines like PSOM, OXM, and Nintendo Power are not going anywhere since the console makers all have a stake in them, however their credibility for reviews is never going to be the same as with the independent mags since there's more politics involved. Oh well, it's better than nothing. At least someone is still carrying the torch.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Eh, I stick with online reviews/game news/etc. anyway.

 

[terry78]

Eh, I stick with online reviews/game news/etc. anyway.

You kids and your internet.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

It's the wave of the future, man. You cats need to quit being such jive turkeys and get hip to it.

 

[SuBe]

It's the wave of the future, man. You cats need to quit being such jive turkeys and get hip to it.

Keep on Truck'n...

 

[Hush]

I buy Magazines and Read online what does that mean for me!?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

That you'll probably read a little bit more online now than you would've before.

 

[terry78]

With these e-books and **** out now, are physical reading materials going the way of the three toed sloth?

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

With these e-books and **** out now, are physical reading materials going the way of the three toed sloth?

It will start giong that way with physical media like cd's/dvd's/Blueray in the coming 5-10 years also I think with digital distrabution.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I, for one, intend to keep buying comics and normal books. I happen to like having a solid thing with print that I can hold in my hand. But I suspect I'll soon be regarded as one of those kooky eccentrics, like the dude who still has a functional 8-track in his car.

 

[Addendum]

I'd much rather lug around a book that I'm reading rather than a laptop with a file of the book. It's also much easier to resume where you left off reading with the actual book instead of on the computer

 

[TheCorpulent1]

But now there are reader apps for the iPhone and the Kindle and stuff, so you wouldn't necessarily have to lug a laptop around.

 

[Addendum]

And for the cost of 1 iPhone or Kindle, I can purchase several books. The amount may vary if it's paperback, hardcover, or what deals the bookstore has, or if I decide to purchase used books

 

[TheCorpulent1]

True, but plenty of people would be buying the iPhone anyway. I think Kindle books are a bit cheaper than printed books as well, so the cost/benefit ratio eventually swings in the Kindle's favor if you use it enough (although it is still ugly as sin).

 

[Soapy]

This is terrrible.

I loved EGM and the 1Up site, podcasts, forums, and community. Obviously I hope that all the people that were fired can find new jobs in the industry (which might be difficult because the whole games journalism industry is taking a beating right now) but I hope Giantbomb picks up a few of the 1Up guys.