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EGM Now hires industry vet Billy Berghammer as group EIC
Aside from having an excellent last name that gives us the impression he's really into smashing hamburgers, longtime game industry veteran Billy Berghammer was announced late this past week as the group editor-in-chief of EGM Media. In his new role, he'll be overseeing both the print version of EGM Now and EGMi: The Digital Magazine. "Finding someone with Billy's expertise and knowledge of the industry is rare and we're very happy to have him guiding the editorial voice of the new Electronic Gaming Monthly," said publisher and founder Steve Harris of Berghammer in the announcement release. Over the course of his tenure in the game industry, Berghammer served as founder of PlanetGameCube.com (now NintendoWorldReport.com), managing editor of Game Informer Online, and, most recently, as editorial director of gaming at G4 Interactive. And for his part, Berghammer says he'll be focusing on creating "a talented editorial team that our readers wil recognize and respect in the same way they've trusted EGM to delivery honest analysis in the past." So, hiring more former EGM writers then? You can't fool us, Berghammer!
'EGM: The Lost Issue' launches, offers free preview of EGMi: The Digital Magazine
Nearly a month ago, publisher Steve Harris showed off a concept video of what we could expect from the interactive, online version of the now-resurrected EGM, called EGMi: The Digital Magazine. At the time, Harris promised that the real, fully-functioning first "issue" of EGMi -- the "lost issue" of EGM -- would debut on the magazine's website "long before Summer arrives" ... and, lo and behold, it's already here. Creating an account on EGM Now will grant you free access to EGM: The Lost Issue, a browser-sized (or full-screen) version of the never-published final issue of EGM that its editors had already put to bed when the magazine was shuttered in January of last year. It animates, makes sound ... but sadly doesn't scroll vertically (and there's an issue with sluggish loading, which will hopefully be worked out in subsequent "issues.") So, if you've been longing to see the lost EGM of yore -- and get a look at its online future -- it's definitely worth checking out. Once you have, why not offer your opinion in comments?
EGM Now launches with ... digitized final issue of old EGM?
We've been hearing about Steve Harris's digital version of the soon-to-be relaunched EGM for quite some time now, and we're just one month away from the magazine's return to newsstands. However, if you're trying to get an early peek at what Harris has in store for EGMi: The Digital Magazine (that he's said will be released supplementally between print issues), now's your chance. But what's this? The mysterious unreleased "last issue"of EGM? It is! As Harris puts it, "The links on this cover page aren't live yet - but they will be long before Summer arrives." Okay, okay, it might've taken a year for the issue to become available -- and yes, it might be full of content on games that have been out for quite some time now -- but hey, it's a chance to explore "layers and depth that you control." Doesn't that seem enticing? Well, we're not really sure quite yet, as the Screen Paper-based issue has yet to incorporate the promises we've been hearing since last September. With grand plans for the release of a digital magazine every week once the print mag relaunches, we'll certainly see how this shakes out soon enough.
Relaunched EGM subscriptions now available, magazine details remain hazy [update]
Hey, you remember EGM, right? The gaming mag that folded in January 2009 when 1UP/EGM was sold by Ziff-Davis Media to Hearst/UGO? And then the original publisher Steve Harris purchased it for a relaunch earlier this year, only to find out that the relaunch was pushed to April? We have to imagine that, by now, you're positively itching to put your money down on a subscription (if you haven't already subscribed to Kill Screen, of course). It would appear that your wish has been granted, as EGM has officially opened the door to its subscription portal, promising savings of 70 percent off the newsstand price. For 32 issues and access to "EGMi: The Digital Magazine," US customers are looking at dropping $14.99, while 64 issues (as well as the aforementioned digital mag access) will cost $24.99 -- Canadian subscribers are looking at $34.99 and $54.99 for 32 and 64 issues, respectively, minus the digital version. Though we've yet to receive any real idea of the magazine's content, Harris has already signed on ex-EGMers Dan "Shoe" Hsu and Demian Linn, as well as the Co-Op folks, to fill those shoes (or "Hsu's," as it were). We'll certainly find out more this April when the first issue is scheduled to hit subscribers and newsstands. Update: To be clear, the $14.99 and $24.99 subscription deals actually equal a half year or full year of physical magazines (one per month; six and 12, respectively), as detailed in the fine print. "Your subscription includes either six print issues and 26 premium digital issues of EGM[I]: The Digital Magazine for a total of 32 issues OR 12 print issues and 52 premium digital issues of EGM[I]: The Digital Magazine for a total of 64 issues." Confusing enough for you?
EGM relaunches with April issue, explains digital content
EGM Media this morning announced the distribution of its upcoming magazine via an "agreement" with Time/Warner Retail Sales and Marketing (former EGM/Ziff Davis Media distributor), alongside intentions to release its first issue with an April cover. Though no specific date was given other than "March 2010" for the newsstand re-launch of Electronic Gaming Monthly, the press release detailed the "weekly interactive version of the magazine," named "EGMi: The Digital Magazine" (rolls right off the tongue!). Accessed by a "special code" included with each issue, the digital extension of the magazine will be made up of "exclusive article extensions and original content." Also of note, game previews and reviews will make up at least part of the premiere issue, with notorious rumor-monger Quartermann, ex-EIC Dan "Shoe" Hsu (as previously announced), and prankster Sean "Seanbaby" Reiley all contributing content as well. Publisher and prez of EGM Media, Steve Harris, claimed the digital content "is complementary to the print magazine" and gives editors "a way to communicate with our readers and update the print product in an ongoing manner." We'll see how his claims play out when the magazine arrives this March.
Interview: EGM Now's Steve Harris
Following the closure of Electronic Gaming Monthly by parent company Ziff Davis Media earlier this year (after nearly 20 years in the game industry), the magazine's original founder Steve Harris repurchased the rights and promised a rebirth for EGM. We ran into Harris at E3 2009 and cajoled him into speaking with us about his purchase. (He was a bit busy with business at E3, as you might imagine, thus we're talking a few months later.) Though we're still a little ways off from the mag's December 1 "return," he gave us a few hints of what to expect, his explanation of how EGM Now will succeed financially where "old EGM" failed, and a few of his favorite games on the current-gen systems. Hit the break for the whole thing.
Harris planning on Dec. 1 return for EGM
If you grew up on gaming magazines like we did, the landscape of industry journalism has probably felt a little ... weird since the closure of Electronic Gaming Monthly. According to a tweet from founder and new owner Steve Harris, the gap will be filled (in some shape or form) on December 1, when the magazine is slated to make its return. Though we can't help but be a little nervous about the whole thing, we're excited to see what the reborn EGM will look like. Our hope? Exactly like Maxim.
Steve Harris hints at the future of the reborn EGM
When Electronic Gaming Monthly closed its doors back in January, it not only left behind an issue that never got published but also a brand that gamers everywhere easily recognized. The magazine's original founder, Steve Harris, recently bought back the rights to the magazine (as well as online rights), and this week he spoke with Publishing Executive to detail a bit of his plans for his new venture."The new Electronic Gaming Monthly will let you take your magazine and its content from print to computer to wireless devices -- even to your television," he says in the piece, continuing, "Content will be delivered via a digital device included with each issue." He doesn't go on to explain whether he means a thumb drive or a CD or what, but we're just as curious as you are to know more about the rebirth of a magazine we grew up reading -- and hated after hours spent trying to find Sheng Long. Curse you, early-to-mid-90s game magazine editors![Via Bitmob]
EGM sold to original founder, resumes publication this year
Electronic Gaming Monthly, which died when UGO bought out the 1UP brand in January, is being resurrected by its original founder, Steve Harris. Harris, who started EGM in 1989, has regained the print and online publishing rights from Ziff Davis Media as part of an undisclosed agreement. Harris intends to relaunch the magazine in the second half of 2009 and says he has "exciting plans for the evolution of what will once again be a leading independent voice for the gaming community."There's no word yet on whether ex-EGM staff will be making a return to the magazine, or if Harris is in talks with UGO to re-establish a partnership with 1UP, but more details are due to be revealed during E3 next week. We guess in this case print really isn't dead.
