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Future Publishing experiences increase in gaming mag sales
If you're an aspiring print gaming journalist, you could probably use a hug right about now. The recent, foreseen collapse of EGM served as undeniable evidence that that particular periodical niche isn't exactly thriving -- but everything isn't doom and gloom in the gaming mag universe. Future Publishing, owner of PlayStation: The Official Magazine and the Official Xbox Magazine, recently divulged a few surprising facts in their preliminary annual finance report -- despite near-universal hardships for the rest of the magazine industry, Future's profits and circulation numbers soared in 2008.In an interview with MCV, Future CEO Stevie Spring chalks the success up to the strength of the industry that many of Future's magazines cover -- console video games. According to Spring, readers of the console-specific mags were "aided and abetted by all three consoles being in uplift mode the world over." Sadly, the same can't be said for The Official Ceramic Cat Magazine, one of Future's lesser-known specialty publications.
Kratos Sackboy for LittleBigPlanet in next issue of OPM UK
The cover of the Official PlayStation Magazine in the United Kingdom pretty much explains it all -- the next issue of the publication will include a card with the code for the highly-desired Kratos Sackboy costume for LittleBigPlanet. Looking for Nariko instead? She's over here.Additionally, "the first 50 subscribers to the magazine will also be sent an exclusive Sackboy plush toy." We are not sure exactly what this means, but we are assuming 50 new subscribers to OPM starting ... now? Anyhow, issue number 24 will on sale on September 30th. We have a feeling this issue will sell out quick! [Thanks, Myles M.!]
Subscribe to Official PlayStation Magazine UK, get a free game
Our overseas readers may be interested by this offer. The Official PlayStation Magazine UK is offering a free Blu-ray game with a new subscription. The games are part of the Platinum lineup, and include hits like Uncharted, Resistance and Ratchet & Clank. The magazine also offers a free Blu-ray demo disc every issue. Subscriptions start at £15.57, which makes the free game offer quite attractive.[Thanks, Waqi M.!]
OMGS4: Guns of the Patriots gets its first 10
Grand Theft Auto IV? 10! Halo 3? 10! The Orange Box? 10! And Metal Gear Solid 4? 10, of course! The UK's Official PlayStation Magazine has given Snake's stealthy send-off full marks, sticking a nice, round "10" at the end of a lengthy justification. "Ultimately, this is a game for fans -- and you should be one," writes Paul Fitzpatrick. "As for Snake? It turns out his last stand really is his finest hour."Yes, we know. "No game is perfect!" You're right. "10 doesn't necessarily mean perfect!" That's true. "The promise of next-generation technology is finally paying off with increasingly immersive, detailed and hitherto impossible experiences!" Could be. "Snake's last stand is only an hour long wtf?!" Okay, you are an idiot.We can't wait for more reviews to roll in, if only to see further evidence of Kojima stubbornly sticking to his comically over-the-top guns. You can cry about cutscenes all you want, but the man is finishing his story.
Sink your teeth into OPM's latest rumors
It's a sad state of affairs when the only interesting part of a magazine is the rumors section, but that proves to be the case with the latest issue of Official PlayStation Magazine UK. This month's magazine has a selection of yummy tidbits that may or may not be true. Whether they are or not, they make for interesting conversation starters. First, there's talk of episodic gaming for the PSN this year (Rat Race) and Heavenly Sword 2 story info, even though the game hasn't been announced yet and the studio in charge of the original are working on something else. The next rumor surrounds the release of in-game XMB -- a feature that the magazine promises will be with us by summer, which is a much more desirable release window than "2008." Ready At Dawn are rumored to be working on a PS3 title (after the brilliant Daxter and God of War: Chains of Olympus on PSP, we're itchy to see what they can pull off on the PS3). Finally, the bizarre tech-demo-cum-crazy-dream, Linger In Shadows, is said to be a PSN download. That still doesn't really tell us if it's a game or not, but we're definitely looking forward to finding out nearer the time. Lots of exciting rumors for you all to discuss here -- so get started!
GameTap digs for readers with veteran writer line-up
Harnessing the power of former magazine editors and a well-respected newsman, GameTap quietly launched a "Read" section this week on their website. The section covers reviews, previews, news and features, created by known writers in the industry. This new section represents a clear progression and departure from our GameTap expectations. The Read section is an obvious progression because we know that GameTap is looking to become an expansive television network-style site. With their subscription service, free service, video programming, and original gaming content coming along quite nicely, it only makes sense for them to start carrying news, previews and reviews. The departure from our expectations is that we didn't imagine them bringing in veteran "name" writers like Curt Feldman, former news director at CNET Entertainment (Gamespot), and former editors from the deceased Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM). Furthermore, the writing on the site isn't even GameTap related, it's just normal gaming content that you'd find on a Gamespot or IGN (which GameTap also got writers from). We have no idea how many of these writers are full-time, but if many of them are, it seems GameTap is looking to become a full-blown gaming site and not just a virtual console for your PC and Mac.[Via GameSetWatch]
OPM details some features found in Haze
How can one not be excited about Haze, what with all the information slowly leaking out about it, the almost-unnecessary-but-welcome comparisons to self-proclaimed "most gorgeous shooter in the universe" Crysis, and other such hubbub? It's tough, and the latest issue of Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM for the curious) sheds some light on even more subtle details you may have missed in any gameplay footage you may have stumbled across. We'll, erm, detail them below. Just as a neat effect, flames will apparently tear through the grass around you as well as burn out buildings. Not necessary for gameplay, but a rather fun effect nonetheless. A remote-controlled grenade will be available. Lob it wherever, then tap a trigger button to blow it up. Reminds us of those remote explosives found in GoldenEye for the N64. The only time a watch was a viable weapon ... There are a lot of unannounced vehicles to ride around in. Your guess is as good as ours. "Overdosed" teammates may start to go a little crazy. They might shoot rockets in the wrong direction, or pull a pin from a grenade and stand there laughing maniacally until ... ka-boom! A dozen vastly different environments will make their way to the final build. Everything from free-roaming jungles to claustrophobic hallways will make an appearance. What's interesting to note is that the developers of Haze have a respect for Hideo Kojima's method of storytelling. They said "politics should never interfere with gameplay, but having a theme worth thinking about gives the experience real substance." We agree. So what can we expect with this game? Fast-paced action with a story that makes you think, but won't confuse or irritate you with political jargon and country-specific sentiment? That'd be cool.
No new GTA games in the works for PSP
San Andreas Stories? We never knew thee ... and we may never. GTA4.net has information supposedly from the Australian OPM. In their Grand Theft Auto IV preview, they reveal that work on San Andreas Stories is not happening. In fact, there's no plans to develop a PSP GTA title at all. "When asked about a San Andreas Stories for the PSP, he replies saying that they don't have any plans for that at the moment, suggesting that they likely haven't started at all on another GTA PSP title."We're a little saddened by this revelation, if only because we'd love to see San Andreas squeezed onto the portable. It seems that crime-loving gamers will have to look towards Driver 76 to get their fix.[Via DCEmu]
PETA talks God of War goat
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) posted in their blog today about the Sony goat incident from the weekend. With quite a bit of temperance for PETA, they apparently got the memo of the aftermath, and didn't make an official public statement (i.e. press release to the planet). Two points to PETA for knowing who Jack Thompson is and saying they've "always sided with the video game industry against the Jack Thompsons of this world who are out to make a name for themselves by blaming gamers for all of society's problems." Of course they close the post by saying, "Sony is evidently recalling the entire 80,000 print run of the PlayStation magazine in which this story featured, though it's frankly a bit late for the victim of the stunt at this stage." Come on, it's PETA, they gotta say that.Joystiq spoke with Daphna Nachminovitch, Director of Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information at PETA, and she told us that they received several dozen emails and phone calls about the incident over the weekend as the story broke. She says that the reason PETA didn't make a public statement is because the public was already well aware of the incident and clearly found it objectionable. Nachminovitch says, "It was something so frivolous and idiotic. I think they misread their audience because we've received a lot of statements and it doesn't look like the stunt was helpful to the audience they were trying to promote to for the game ... I know with Sony's reputation it was surprising to see something with this magnitude. Looking at the website [for the game] I don't see the connection. I don't understand how this would appeal to the people who would want this video game."Nachminovitch was glad to see that Sony made a statement so quickly and hopes that they don't do something like this again in the future. She also noticed that there were topless women at the party and jokes, "Shouldn't that have been enough? There's no need to display an animal like that for an audience when topless women are walking around, I'm sure the audience found that far more appealing."
OPM UK including Blu-ray demo disc on May 2nd
It's a world first! OPM UK is going to be the pioneer of the PS3's Blu-ray disc and include one in its... June issue? The one that comes out May 2nd. We're assuming that's the June issue. From OPM: "Important announcement from Official PlayStation Magazine. Playable PS3 games. From 2 May every issue of OPM will come with a Blu-ray disc packed with PS3 demos. No other magazine can do this." Well, snap, puff! Seems they've scored the exclusive right to include a Blu-ray demo disc.We've got to ask, though: is this necessary? We've got the PS-Store to snag whatever we need... admittedly, there aren't exactly regular demo updates, but still. Will devs support the motion of the "old-fashioned" demo discs, or will they go with the PS-Store's digital distribution method? It's an interesting battle, but it's not like anyone loses. Sort of. What?
Official PlayStation Mag dead, demo disc the killer?
Just as Ziff-Davis and Microsoft's trembling lips meet for the long, slow kiss that is Games for Windows: The Official Magazine, Ziff and Sony are, like, totally breaking up. They say it's mutual, that all relationships must end ... but we all know who's really to blame. It's that ne'er-do-well demo disc, that's who!With the steady erosion of print readership and the growth of online outlets (like Sony's own ThreeSpeech project who, curiously, keep cribbing from OPM) it's no wonder they've reconsidered their commitment to the world of dead-tree gaming journalism. Coupled with their (about to launch) PlayStation Network, capable of delivering videos and demos -- the very same videos and demos that used to come bundled on DVD with every issue of OPM -- the gimmick has dried up.Increasingly, print magazines rely on these gimmicks to provide extra incentive to read all the gaming news you already read online 3 weeks ago. Game Informer has that infinitely valuable shelf space at the nation's largest gaming retailer while Computer Gaming World had to reevaluate and become Games For Windows. What's curious is why Microsoft not only doesn't see Xbox Live as the final nail in Official Xbox Magazine's proverbial coffin, but they use the magazine to distribute exclusive demos, weeks before they hit Live (see: Rainbow Six Vegas). Maybe, with a 60% attach rate for Xbox Live, they realize there's still plenty of offline 360 gamers who can't get their demos from Live.[Update: The fine folks at Ziff contacted us to "clarify that the 1UP Network -- 1UP.com, GameVideos.com, MyCheats.com, the 1UP Show, our podcasts, etc. -- and EGM will cover the PS3, PS2, and PSP in depth with integrated print, video, podcast, and web features through the holiday season, 2007, and beyond." So, there you have it. Don't think Ziff is axing the Sony coverage, they're just axing the magazine.]Read -- Sony's press releaseRead -- Ziff Davis' press release
Does Sony hate OPM? The answer is yes [Update 1]
Remember when we asked if the Official PlayStation Magazine hated PSP games? Well, it looks like Sony doesn't care much about the magazine either as they announced the magazine's discontinuation today. "With the launch of the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and its full network and Web capabilities, we are focused on delivering content via the PlayStation Network and PlayStation.com website, not discs," said Peter Dille. Makes sense to me. With the newly revamped PlayStation.com and PlayStation Store coming, there's no reason to have a print magazine... especially when the main reason people get the magazine is for the demo discs. The final issue of OPM will be the January 2007 issue. Fans of OPM's editorials need not fret, however. The 1UP team will continue providing editorial content available exclusively for PS3 owners. [Via Joystiq] [Update 1: The European version of OPM will continue. While the US magazine is published by Ziff Davis, it appears that the UK's magazine, handled by Future, will still continue. Source: GI.biz]
Does OPM hate the PSP?
OPM stands for Official PlayStation Magazine. You'd think that because it's sponsored by Sony, it would have slightly inflated scores for the games. But that doesn't seem to be the case ... at all. In fact, it appears that OPM is dishing out some painfully low scores on games that have been reviewed favorably by most other publications. For example, Killzone: Liberation only got a 7.5, Ace Combat X got a 6.0, and most surprisingly of them all: Lumines II got a measly 6.0. I've been playing my review build for quite some time, and I find it to be much better than the original, and that says a lot. What's with these horribly low scores, OPM? Do they have a grudge against the PSP?[Via IGN Boards]
Oblivion: first magazine scan found
The November issue of OPM has exclusive details of the upcoming PSP version of Oblivion. The scans of the game look not too shabby... it looks a heck of a lot better than the N-Gage Elder Scroll's game. According to the article, the PSP version of Oblivion will be "a very different game with a different story line... it has the experience of the dungeon romp. It doesn't have wide-open, wander-the-landscape kind of stuff."Even though the game's functionality seems a little stripped down, Obivion for PSP will still feature a character creation system, and 18 of the original game's 21 skills. The controls are going to be simplified, of course, and the designers cite Metroid Prime as a source of inspiration, which is only a good thing.Check out the full magazine scan, if you like, or buy the issue when it hits newsstands.[Via E-mpire Forum]
Bethesda confirms Oblivion to PSP in Spring 2007
Yesterday, we broke news that 1UP broke news of the Official Playstation Magazine breaking news of Oblivion heading to the PSP and PS3. Did ya get all that?Well, now we get confirmation right from the source. Yeah, that's right, Bethesda has issued a press release confirming Oblivion is headed to the PSP in spring 2007. In America, the game will be published by Bethesda, while Ubisoft will publish it in Europe.As if you didn't already know, this is a huge win for the PSP and PS3. I don't think there's anyone in their right mind who would argue that the PSP is the only major handheld system on the market that has enough horsepower to properly handle a game like Oblivion.It's times like this that help me forget about things like hardware sales charts and focus on the massive amount of great games on the PSP's horizon. It truly is a great time to be a gamer.[Via Bethesda]
Gaming Nexus interviews Killzone director
The Killzone posts keep rolling in. We first spotted the demo, found out the November OPM will feature it and have reviewed even reviewed the demo, but now here's an Gaming Nexus interview with Mathijs de Jonge, the games lead designer and director.In the interview, Mathijs explains how the game ties in with its predecessor, how many levels to expect, vehicle use and says the game is nothing like Metal Gear Solid. It's kind of funny because I even made mention of the two game's looking very similar in my review. GamingNexus: Killzone: Liberation is quite a departure from the original Killzone on the PlayStation 2. Why did you decide to switch from a first-person shooter to an overhead shooter? MdJ : We wanted to create a new experience within the Killzone Universe. Pulling out the camera to a third person perspective was the thing that we thought would change the experience most. So when we started working on this game this was the very first we tried. Then we decided to stick with it as it gave us a lot of inspiration for new mechanics and areas of focus such as improving the AI system.(Via Gaming Nexus)
OPM promises to reveal unknown PS3 title
With their ears to the rails, listening intently for the faintest sounds of an oncoming hype train, our buddies at PS3 Fanboy finally heard the much delayed Sony marketing machine leave the station, albeit a couple months late. During their routine screening of the OPM podcast, they learned that the November issue of OPM (Official PlayStation Magazine) would reveal a title "that you have not heard of and won't heart about" ... until November that is. Choo-choo!We're just wondering how OPM is supposed to oversee the review of the game when their Managing Editor already said she's not buying a PlayStation 3?This presentation of ultra-super-fantastic-glee-splenderific hype machine has been brought to you by OPM.Listen - Secret game discussion starts around 40:20
November OPM to feature Killzone demo
According to the latest RadiOPM, The next issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM), will also feature the Killzone: Liberation demo that's been extensively covered on the site. With distribution through OPM, and PlayStation Underground, it appears that Sony's really revving their marketing machine to hype this game. And why shouldn't they? The game's really good. [Via IGN Boards]
Metareview - Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins
It's been well documented throughout the annals of time that Andrew is overly obsessed with anything Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins. I mean the guy has practically been hanging onto every whim of new information that has become available since he's heard of the game. And now that the game has just been released and reviews have poured in, I'm not sure whether he's happily playing it or if he's on suicide watch. You see, the game hasn't neccessarily been the poster child for great reviews; rather, it's reviews have seen more up and downs than Ike and Tina spending the winter locked in a log cabin in Montana. The game currently has an 73% average score on Metacritic. Play Magazine (95/100) says "Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins is '2D,' but it's also a highly-produced, meticulously planned, big-budget release. This is no throwback to side-scrollers gone by, this is 2D handheld gaming." Gamerfeed (70/100) tells us what we already know: "This game is about as hard as petrified wood. Capcom eased things up a bit by tossing three difficulty levels into the mix, but even the added confidence booster couldn't save me from dying hundreds of times." Official U.S. Playstation Magazine (40/100) gets down to the nitty gritty: "The ugly: The graphics, the controls, the level design."
OPM Ed opts for 360 this November
You may have noticed some odd behavior from your favorite Sony fanboy last Friday. Perhaps he flipped off his PC monitor whilst shouting, "TREASON!" If so, then said fanboy was undoubtedly reading the blog of one Dana Jongewaard, editor of Official Playstation Magazine. So, what's the big deal? Look no further than the title of her blog:"Why I am buying a 360 this November"Citing that $600 is just too much for a console, and that the PS3's killer apps won't be out 'til next year at the earliest, and that she just doesn't really care about Blu-Ray, Dana has decided to get Microsoft's white box of joy instead (at least until the PS3 goes down in price). The funny part is all the commenters threatening to cancel their OPM subscriptions for her scandalous comments. If you've got the time, the comments are good for a laugh. Welcome to the fold, Dana.Just for the record, I own a DS and a Gamecube aside from my beloved 360. If that bothers any of you, I guess you'll have to cancel your internet service or something.
