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Notable Final Fantasy XI column returns as part of 1up's "The Grind"
Game journalist James Mielke resumes his on-again, off-again relationship with Final Fantasy XI in the fledgling 1up blog "The Grind". Mielke's extended hiatus from his "My Life in Vana'diel" column was a blend of time constraints and some degree of burn-out as well. But it seems he missed the game, particularly after the years already spent playing it, hence his column has returned... again. On the subject of returning to the game, Mielke writes, "People ask me to this day whether FFXI is still worth investing time into it, and to that I say: Now's a better time than ever to join the game." He writes that Square Enix has implemented a number of features that reduces the grind and, hopefully for some, brings more fun back to the game. Mielke specifically points out the beauty of the level-sync feature, allowing people to party with higher level characters, and the Fields of Valor quests that have fired up his interest in FFXI once again. If you've been away from the game for a while, have a look at James Mielke's "Reboot" and see what you're missing.
Former EGMer Dan Hsu launches new video show, Cut Scene
Though he wasn't ousted by the 1UPocolypse, we're always happy to see a former EGM-er land on his feet. That's the good news we got today when Game Cinema HD revealed their new show, "Cut Scene," starring real-life sweethearts Raychul Moore and former EGM editor-in-chief Dan Hsu.We're a little cautious of the show's proposed formula, which seems to be a blend of video game talk and inter-couple strife, but we'll hold out judgment until the first episode of the show (which is specifically designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch) appears.
Newest 1UP blog a haven for RPG and MMO fans alike
There's a saying that goes, "Teach a man to level up, and you'll satisfy him for a lifetime. But teach a man to grind, and you'll satisfy him for several hundred hours bereft of showering."We don't really know where these wise words came from, but they obviously reached the ears of the very first MMORPG developers. Today, if you're not grinding away at something, then you're obviously doing something incorrectly. And it seems like the guys 'n gals over at 1UP.com would agree. Their newest blog to focus on one aspect in videogaming is, in fact, all about the many facets of RPGs -- including the massively multiplayer online variety.While there isn't anything about our beloved persistent online worlds up just yet, we're sure there'll be tasty words to chew upon soon enough. We'll be keeping a lookout for you, just in case your busy day can't handle the kind of obsessive news and information tendencies we here at Massively indulge in at a constant tick.
Dan Hsu working on new project with ex-EGM/1UP staff
Looks like the alums of the EGM/1UP era aren't ready to call it quits. 1UP Show staff have already moved onto a new video project, CO-OP. Former EGM editor-in-chief Dan Hsu is also working on an unrelated project also featuring ex-EGM/1UP staff, as revealed on his personal blog. Demian Linn, former executive producer of The 1UP Show and GameVideos.com will be Shoe's primary business partner. Other ex-1UPers ready to contribute include Michael Donahoe, Greg Ford, Crispin Boyer, and Karen Chu, former "art star at 1UP.com."Hsu is also calling up on the dedication of EGM fans by inviting donations on his blog. Contributions already made have gone toward covering the initial costs of starting this new venture. Hsu is currently looking for investors, a difficult prospect in this economic environment. "If you know any really rich people who would like to see a bunch of ex-EGM and 1UP guys get a new project off the ground, we could sure use the help," he notes in his blog. "This will be a legitimate, revenue-producing business."[Update: We've made edits to reflect the following: Ms. Chu emailed to clarify that despite being referred to as the "art star at 1UP.com" she was not, in fact, the "art director." Additionally, our original post stated that the list of people, including Chu, would "join the staff" of Hsu's venture; we've clarified the freelance nature of this relationship.] [Image]
1UP Show staff returns as Area 5 with new show
Unwilling to let a little thing like no longer being gainfully employed slow them down, the 1UP Show team of Ryan O'Donnell, Matt Chandronait, Cesar Quintero and Jay Frechette have returned with a brand new moniker -- Area 5 -- and a brand new show called CO-OP. The very first episode, available right after the break, features a bevy of former, current and very recently current 1UP staffers recounting their top games of last year.The show currently has no advertising or revenue model, so if you like what you see and hear, perhaps a PayPal tip would be in order.
Counting Rupees: Oh, magazine
Each week Jeff Engel and Geoff Brooks contribute Counting Rupees, a column on the business behind gaming: With the end of the holidays came the news that EGM is being shuttered. These are disappointing days for many people, not least the hard-working staff that contributed to the respected magazine. I think that the occasion probably merits a mention as much for its inevitability as its sadness.In days in which even large, mainstream print publications are facing severe financial difficulties, it seems all too obvious that smaller, niche publications are going to face similar pressures. And gaming magazines seem to me to be among the most vulnerable, for several reasons.
1UP's Shane Bettenhausen heads to Ignition Entertainment [updated]
First, a confession: our original headline for this post was "Shane turns down Sony PR job, goes with smaller publisher" – that is, until we heard the kids at Rebel FM jokingly suggest that blogs would use exactly that as a headline. Oh yeah, smart guys? Well, we didn't! Moving on. So, 1UP's Shane Bettenhausen did turn down a Sony PR job ... several years ago. [Update: Shane writes that he "misspoke" and "never interviewed for the position" – so you can stop writing those scathing forum posts, platform conspiracy theorists.] Right now, the recently laid-off Bettenhausen has taken a gig as Director of Business Development (we call that BizDev, folks) at "smaller publisher" Ignition Entertainment. Says Bettenhausen: "they're not on the map as much as other big publishers." Then why take the position, when fellow 1UP alums have moved onto places like Bungie and 2K Boston? At Ignition, Bettenhausen would get to "choose which games to publish" – in other words, he'd rather be a big fish in a smaller pond. Not a bad plan. Up next from Ignition: Blue Dragon Plus for the DS.To get the full story straight from Shane himself, tune into the latest Rebel FM podcast at around the one hour 21 minute mark. (Bonus: Listen for Shane's comment that the "rise of blogs – Kotaku and Joystiq – completely reshaped the landscape." Great! Now we can add "landscaper" to the old CV).
Boobs! Sweeping changes coming to 1UP
As UGO's purchase of 1UP continues to send shock waves across the gaming landscape, details about what to expect under the site's new overlords have begun to emerge. Or rather, what we could have expected. 1UP's Scott Sharkey drops his synergistic ideas for a new site comprised of lists, boobs and lots of both. But alas, Scott's been promptly muzzled by his new handlers.Don't worry, though. Joystiq plans to "borrow" all of your fine ideas, Scott, for our new megasite: JoyDaily.com -- brought to you by AOL's TMZ!
Petroglyph discusses design and microtransactions for Mytheon
For a lot of people, the MMO/RTS hybrid has been an unwieldy beast at times. That's not to say there aren't interesting titles to check out, such as Dreamlords, Atlantica and SAGA. However, nobody has quite made a huge splash with an MMORTS just yet. So could the recently announced Mytheon be the first game to catch a lot of people's attention? Well, why don't you see for yourself in this 1UP interview with the game's developer, Petroglyph -- whose previous games include Universe at War and Star Wars: Empire at War.Since there haven't been any screens -- and probably won't be for a while -- it's hard to make too many judgments at this point. The interview promises some interesting, if not vague, features. So you can bet we'll be on the lookout for any future information about Mytheon in the coming months.
1UP FM lives on (sort of) as Rebel FM
After the 1UPocalypse, the various pieces and people of the network were scattered to the wind. But like cockroaches that will rule our post-armageddon world, some of the team continues to live on. Beginning today, you can check out former staffers Anthony Gallegos, Nick Suttner, Philip Kollar, Matt Chandronait, Ryan O'Donnell and others in their new podcast, Rebel FM.We're still broken up about the massive cuts, but we're happy to see that our friends have kept their fighting spirit. Show them some love and give them a listen, what do you say? Or, go ahead and subscribe on iTunes.
Final EGM issue to be 'printed' on 1UP
R.I.P. Electronic Gaming Monthly1989-2009 EGM's departing final editor-in-chief, James Mielke, has posted the magazine's last cover on his blog, revealing that the issue will be available to read (in hi-res) on 1UP. Protip: You can print it out and put it in your mailbox out of respect for the publication's demise.Mielke's post goes on to discuss his eight-month stint in the captain's chair -- following the departure of longtime editor Dan Hsu -- and features candid images of the mag's final days. Toward the end of the piece, Mielke claims the EGM circulation was between 550-650K and its death "was simply a matter of UGO wanting a website, not a magazine."Bonus: Here's an image of nearly every EGM cover, ever! [Via GameCulture]
UGO boss tells his side of the story; world listens
It's like this: there are two sides to every story (even stories about things with more than two sides, apparently). Take last night's 1UP / UGO situation (UGO-gate? 1UP-ton?). On the surface, that certainly appeared to be a gruesome bloodletting, with the entirety of EGM's staff let go, the magazine shuttered, and much of 1UP's popular media production teams sent packing. That's certainly not good news for any of the affected, including Ziff's community.But, inversely, it's no secret that EGM and other video game mags (not to mention the entire print journalism industry in general) aren't doing so well – one need only peruse themediaisdying for a moment to get the idea. From UGO's point of view, they weren't laying people off, but hiring 24 new employees and expanding the UGO workforce by 33%. Speaking with MTV Multiplayer, UGO chief J Moses says that "the simple reality is that we only wanted to buy 1UP and related sites" and that "closing EGM has absolutely nothing to do with UGO."What about all those podcasts and video shows? 1UP's Sam Kennedy – who agrees that UGO is not the bad guy – tells MTV that "the Retronauts podcast will continue" and there are "some possibilities" regarding the future of the 1UP Yours podcast. As for the The 1UP Show video podcast? It's "more up in the air," according to MTV. So, dear readers (and angry 1UP / EGM fans), does this help you understand the situation? Empathize with UGO? Still gwumpy? Sound off in the comments.
1UP layoffs and the ripples therein
When half of the staff leave/are laid off from a gaming site as notable as 1UP, it affects essentially everyone within the industry -- as does the closure of EGM, one of the very best gaming magazines around. Their excellent coverage of games like Final Fantasy XI, Warhammer Online and World of Warcraft (to name just a few) have always been the sort of things we here at Massively strive for in our own features. Whether it was podcasts like Legendary Thread or the infamous live reading of a certain Age of Conan incident on GFW Radio, the group working at 1UP were always in it to entertain, inform and hopefully make everyone think a little bit about their favorite pasttime.Understandably, the massive layoffs have created a sort of hate brush fire that's been roaring across the internet mostly via message boards fueled by a mix of ex-1UP Twitters and hearsay. While it pains us as fans to see so many talented and hard-working writers let go, there's some truth to the saying, "You can't win 'em all" in this situation. Our own searing anger was doused a little upon reading a lucid post detailing the why behind the whole debacle.
1UP director Sam Kennedy: UGO not 'the bad guy'
The closure of games mag EGM and accompanying staff reductions at 1UP had many gamers pointing the finger at UGO. It seems unfathomable that so many longtime industry veterans would find themselves out of a job. Even a day later, it's difficult to truly understand the repercussions of the UGO-1UP merger.Sam Kennedy, director of the 1UP Network, may have come off as a bit too cheery in yesterday's press release. However, a post on NeoGAF reiterates his belief that UGO's purchase of 1UP is ultimately the best (and perhaps only viable) option left for the community. "There's no way to rationalize this for most people, and I don't want to sugarcoat anything," he says. "Fact: 1UP was a business that was losing money. Fact: This economy sucks and the ad market is diminished."UGO did what they could to, what I consider, 'save' 1UP. Obviously, all of us would have wanted to see things go differently - most of all me, considering I just lost many of my closest friends as coworkers and employees today ... If any company out there would have been willing to support us as we were, they certainly didn't step up. The only company that really did was UGO, and they did their very best to continue 1UP."While things are obviously going to be shaky for the 1UP Network in the coming weeks, Kennedy is hopeful that affected podcasts and writers will be able to return in the future. "I have a commitment from the UGO guys that they -- now, actually, we -- are going to do whatever we can to help these guys out and look for ways to continue these shows with them and/or to look into possibilities for new shows in the future. I'm not saying everything will be back to 'normal' as you knew it anytime soon, but I am saying there should be some good things to look forward to in the future."[Via Rosenberg's Ramblings, blog of UGO contributor]
Assessing the damage at 1UP [update]
While Ziff-Davis CEO Jason Young's message to his company -- including current 1UP Network staff -- today, along with coordinated press releases regarding 1UP's sale to UGO, painted a picture of strength in (and growth of) the 1UP brand, we've begun to hear reports quite to the contrary. Several key members of the 1UP staff have announced their termination via Twitter messages and posts to the NeoGAF forums. There's very little in the form of official word as to changes at 1UP at present, apart from Young's assertion that "more scale is necessary [for 1UP] to effectively compete in this market segment." Based on what we do know, the only scaling going on is in a backwards and downwards direction. Joystiq -- and many of our readers -- are great fans of the 1UP team's work, and care about what happens to these folks. We'll be keeping you posted after the break with the latest as it develops.
Official: UGO buys 1UP, EGM dead [update]
Within hours of our earlier post regarding 1UP's reported sale to the Hearst-owned UGO network, the deal was confirmed in individual press releases from both entities. Additionally, Ziff-Davis has made official the closure of EGM after nearly 20 years of publication. It's January issue -- currently on sale -- will be its last.1UP editorial director, Sam Kennedy, is quoted in the release, saying that the site's staff is "extremely excited to join the UGO team." UGO's release states that 1UP.com will operate as a separate entity and implies that its current staff will remain in place. The sale to Hearst also includes GameVideos.com, MyCheats.com and GameTab.com.The shuttering of EGM -- the oldest multi-platform games magazine in the US -- leaves GamePro and Game Informer as the last bastions of what, with today's news, continues to be the dying breed of print media.Update: There's not much in the way of new info, but Gamasutra got their mitts on an internal email from Ziff CEO Jason Young, who tells the staff that "more scale is necessary to effectively compete in this market segment." So UGO's planning to keep growing 1UP? Then why kill off the 1UP Show and layoff 30+ people? One other note: Ziff "will continue to operate the Filefront business as a part of the PCMag Digital Network." More as we hear it.Source – Ziff-Davis press releaseSource – UGO press release
PaidContent.org reports EGM's death, pulls story [update]
Update: As you can see here, it's official.Earlier today, media business site paidContent.org reported that video game media hub 1UP had been sold to Hearst (which runs competing hub UGO), and that the organization would be shuttering Electronic Gaming Monthly. You may remember that we reported that both moves were under discussion last month. PaidContent's report has since been pulled, but the full details were related by former 1UPer John Davison's What They Play. WTP then reported that sources had told them that the story would be validated or denied tomorrow. If this is on the level (and we have no reason to think it's not), it's a sad day for fans of video game magazines and game journalism in general. If it comes to pass, here's hoping everyone affected lands on their feet.
Exclusive: UGO in high-level talks to buy 1UP; EGM not part of deal
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/UGO_is_in_High_Level_Talks_to_Buy_1UP_EGM_Not_Part_of_Deal'; Multiple sources in and around Ziff Davis Media have told Joystiq that UGO Entertainment is on the verge of finalizing a deal to buy parts of Ziff's 1UP Network, including 1up.com, GameVideos.com and MyCheats.com.The sources, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the talks, confirmed to Joystiq that the companies were in "very advanced talks" regarding the sale of many of Ziff's popular gaming web sites. 1UP Network editorial staff were reportedly informed of the potential sale in an all-hands meeting Tuesday and UGO executives will reportedly be flying out to meet with the Ziff staff as soon as Wednesday. Few details of the potential buyout plan are known at this time, but UGO reportedly plans to keep the Ziff sites operating independently as separate entities with their own branding, rather than subsuming them fully into the UGO Entertainment Network.Our sources also report that UGO has little to no interest in purchasing either Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine or FileFront.com, two wavering pillars of Ziff's increasingly shaky Game Group. Ziff has had particular trouble selling ads for upcoming issues of EGM, suggesting that the February issue might be the final one for the long-running magazine, our sources reported. This adds credence to recent reports that Ziff may be looking to transform EGM into an online-only property. Ziff has been looking for a buyer for the beleaguered Game Group for at least two years.UGO Entertainment started off in 1997 as Unified Gamers Online and currently attracts over 35 million unique monthly visitors to its general lifestyle portal at UGO.com. In July of 2007 the UGO Network was acquired by mega-publishing conglomerate Hearst Corporation. The network's current properties include GamingTarget.com, GameCheats.com and RPG-focused site GameBanshee.com, as well as celebrity-focused sites like At Pictures.
Interview with Final Fantasy XI developers talks upcoming mini-expansions
During their time at the Final Fantasy XI Fanfest 2008, the 1up guys had the chance to sit down with the game developers and ask them, well, a ton of questions. The interview spans three pages and a lot of topic matter about the present and future of Square Enix's game. Not only that, but there's a rather good two page preview after the interview itself, just to make sure your mind explodes with information about the game.Much of the interview is focused on the upcoming mini-expansions, their pricing, whether or not they'll be retail boxed or digital and of course any hints of what their content may entail. There's even a very interesting question asked about whether or not the development team would be interested in creating a Bee Mage class. So check out the interview if you've got even a passing interest in the game, as it's one of the few times we ever hear directly from the development team.
15 Minutes of Fame: e-sportscaster tracks WoW tournies Part 2
WoW as an e-sport currently is actually pretty awful. Two, for example, are the Electronic Sports League (ESL) who have a world wide tournament, the finals being in March 2009, and Major League Gaming, a console-centric league who expanded to PC earlier this year with WoW. There are not a lot of amateur tournaments out there for WoW.
