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Publishing the "Lost" February, 2009 Issue Of EGM

One of the recurring questions I've received since acquiring Electronic Gaming Monthly was if/when the final issue of EGM produced by James Mielke and the old guard from Ziff Davis would ever be made available.  The short answer is "yes" -- every page of the "Lost" February, 2009 issue (number 237) will soon be posted on EGMNOW.com using the same interface developed for our upcoming EGM[i] digital edition. I think you'll find the sentiments contained in this farewell edition to be a fitting tribute to the magazine -- even though the reports of its demise may have been premature!

As one of the few people who have actually read the issue I can tell you that it is filled with many insightful articles from a crew who knew it would likely be their last.  The entire magazine is a mix of (then) current news and bittersweet retrospectives about the important role EGM played over the years -- from Milky's editorial to an amazingly generous (and unsolicited) letter from Street Fighter 4 producer Yoshinori Ono.

Speaking of Street Fighter, the special place that series held in EGM history is evident throughout the issue.  From a cover adorned with Ryu and Ken locked in battle to a roundtable analysis by EGM's editors to a Street Fighter retrospective complete with the many covers the game earned over the years.  It is a fighting fan's dream come true. 

The entire Lost issue will soon be available in a way that Milky and his team never could have imagined.  This digital remake includes many special features ranging from animated graphics to video and audio embeds -- the same kinds of content that you'll soon see in the pages of EGM[i]: The Digital Magazine. Access to this special one-of-a-kind edition will be made available for free very soon. 

Watch our official Facebook and Twitter pages for updates on how you can get your commemorative copy as well as a chance to win a special limited edition being printed exclusively for collectors!

EGM: One Year Later

It has been a little over a year since the news broke that 1UP.com had been sold and EGM was collateral damage in a new media deal that placed little value in print. Although the sadness of that day impacted thousands of gaming enthusiasts, no one felt the pain of those events more than the editors, writers, designers, and other contributors who had helped create EGM's voice as one of the most trusted gaming publications ever produced.

What very few people realized is that plans were soon underway to resurrect the EGM brand and marry it with new technology to create something different, something better, than what existed before. As the founder and original EIC of EGM (and subsequently publisher during most of the magazine's first decade) the chance to re-launch the title proved to be an opportunity too good to pass up.

It has been an amazing few months since my acquisition of EGM was completed. During that time I've worked with a very talented group to pull together a new company and lay the foundation for what we know will be a successful re-imagining of everyone's favorite gaming magazine. Now that I have an outlet that provides more than 140 characters, I thought I'd give everyone a detailed update on where the new EGM is headed and what's been accomplished since my original announcement that the magazine would be returning:

  • I've assembled a group of editors including Dan "Shoe" Hsu and Demian Linn of Bitmob, Ryan O'Donnell and Matt Chandronai from Area5, John Keefer (recently of Crispy Gamer), Brady Fiechter (former EIC of Play Magazine), as well as a number of other high-profile writers and contributors who are bringing their independent point-of-view to the new EGM. There are more editorial announcements to come in the weeks ahead. I'm confident we have assembled a well-versed and respected group of gaming journalists who each excel in their respective fields regardless if it is in print, online, or television.
     
  • I entered into an agreement with Time Warner Retail Sales & Marketing, the nation's largest newsstand distributor, to return EGM to magazine racks and bookstores nationwide with our upcoming April issue. More announcements on this front will be rolling out in the next few weeks including a list of the locations that will feature EGM on their store shelves. Having seen these authorizations I can tell you that EGM has been enthusiastically embraced by our retail partners and will be available at a store near you.
     
  • I know many of you have wanted to subscribe to the new EGM almost from the day it was announced. Believe me, I appreciate your enthusiasm and patience more than you know, but I also wanted to make sure this was done right and didn't want to take anyone's money until we were ready. We're offering two options: 6 print issues and 26 premium digital issues for $14.99 or 12 print issues and 52 digital issues for $24.99. Currently the offer is available only to North American readers but we'll be providing an option for our fans outside the country in the very near future. For those who want this premium EGM experience, including home delivery of the print magazine and access to exclusive digital content in the pages of EGM[i]: The Digital Magazine, just click here.
     
  • A few facts about our upcoming relaunch of Electronic Gaming Monthly in print: From the beginning I felt it would be important to focus on high production values that could match the quality of the writing that I knew our editorial team would deliver. It was my goal to do something that would look and feel special every issue. To achieve this I made the decision to print the new EGM on a heavier paper stock to provide greater reproduction quality and to give the magazine a nicer overall look and feel. After seeing some of the mock-ups in this format I can safely say that it was the right way to go. The screenshots and artwork look beautiful. Upgrading from the light-weight paper used by most gaming magazines, however, carries with it a much higher cost. We've been able to keep this price increase to a single dollar more than the last copy of EGM you purchased on the newsstand. Our new cover price will be $6.99. I think readers will agree that this enhancement in quality is worth it.
     
  • The digital version of EGM is currently in a beta-test mode. There has been a lot of speculation about what, exactly, we're doing on this front and Apple's recent showcasing of it's forthcoming iPad has only fueled interest. What we've designed with EGM[i], however, is much more than just an interactive version of the print magazine. It is an entirely new product that literally brings content to life in ways that print magazines and websites just can't do. It also enables us to go deeper into the stories and profile games in a brand new way. In the weeks to come you are going to start seeing our new digital interface in action, complete with video, audio, downloads and more. It's a complex endeavor that required many months of hard work and, as we get closer to launch, I'll share more specifics (including how it will interface with the iPad and the next generation of tablets).

In closing let me say that a welcome by-product of EGM's return has been the chance to meet with dozens of new friends in the industry as well as thousands of readers who have shown their ongoing interest in EGM on Facebook and Twitter. Your support is very much appreciated. I've done my best to answer all your questions and comments and I welcome any additional ideas you may have -- just send me a note at egm@egmnow.com. I may not be able to answer everyone, but rest assured I will read every message received.

Lastly, I also want to thank the many people from the past who helped contribute to EGM over the years. It has been a great pleasure re-connecting with these old friends and an industry that has grown and matured but still remains the business I came to know well in so many ways.

Stay tuned...

Steve Harris
Publisher
Electronic Gaming Monthly
 

EGMNOW -- AND LATER

So the past 90 days have been crazy busy.  The first editorial cycle I've been in for many years.  It's kind of amazing how much things haven't changed since I left publishing.  I continue to be energized by the extraordinary support that EGM is receiving.  It is very much appreciated!

An update is in order on the latest from EGM:

EGM IN PRINT

Our first print issue of neo-EGM has been put to bed and is off to the printer.  We've got some great stuff for our return (issue number 238), including a slew of exclusives, interviews, and features.  We're already hard at work on the cover story for issues 2 and 3, and will be announcing a couple of new names who will be joining our editorial ranks over the next couple of weeks.  Our approach is slightly different than past iterations of EGM and uses the heavy paper stock I previously announced to enable some great exclusive game art to really stand out and compliment our solid editorial mix.

Regarding the release date of issue 238: We did get hung up a bit with a couple of retail approvals (through no fault of theirs) at the eleventh hour which delayed our schedule by a few weeks.  It was important to me that finding EGM at your local retailer be as easy as possible and I'm pleased to report that EGM will have the broadest distribution of any American video game magazine at tens of thousands of newsstands, bookstores, and chain stores (including Walmart, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Barnes and Noble, Borders, any many more) across North America and around the world.  I feel bad that we weren't able to meet the original deadline we set for ourselves, but it was better -- in my opinion -- to get it right.  I hope you understand.  Subscription copies should be going out in a little more than a week and will take 7-14 days to reach everyone who has subscribed to date, so keep an eye on your mailbox!

EGM[i]:

We've also been hard at work on the digital initiative and will be debuting EGMi very soon.  In the interim you can click here to register and view the unpublished "Lost" issue right now!  The Basic version of EGMi is FREE when you register, so take a few seconds to set up your account to insure you don't miss any future issues!

Regarding the "Lost" issue: I decided to turn on this beta site so everyone can hammer away at it, sample the direction we're taking EGM digitally, and let me know what it is you like and don't like.  We're still fine-tuning a few things, so pardon any dust that may get kicked up!  In the weeks ahead you'll see how this initiative will interface with the iPad and other tablets and meet the editorial team that is giving a voice to the new publication. 

As you may have seen in our YouTube video, the content in EGMi is completely original and not repurposed or repackaged from the print magazine.  One of the things that we discovered over time was that content created for print just doesn't translate into the digital format as seamlessly as you may think.  To take advantage of what digital does best you have to create editorial designed for the format.  The same goes for print -- what works on a printed page doesn't automatically translate into this new platform.

EGM iPASS:

The iPASS codes will be going out to existing subscribers when we mail the first print issue of the magazine in a little less than two weeks.  You'll be able to use the controls at EGMNOW.com to enhance your existing registration and, when regular weekly issues of EGMi begin next month, access exclusive content within our interactive interface.  Don't worry about missing out before then -- there is no premium content in The Lost Issue.

Readers who purchase EGM on the newsstand will also be able to access a unique iPASS code that unlocks the premium content after registration at EGMNOW.com.

EGM SUBSCRIBERS:

A number of people have inquired about when, exactly, their order for an EGM subscription will be processed and if they are in jeopardy of not receiving the first issue.  All subscription orders that have not been processed to date should be through the system within a week.  Also, everyone who ordered a subscription to date will be on the file that is sent from our fulfillment house and you will receive the relaunch issue.  As is our policy, you can request a refund at any time for the unserved portion of your subscription by emailing our customer service by clicking here or by calling 1-800-829-7830. 

EGM[NOW]:

The final component to the new EGM, our upcoming web-based news engine EGM[NOW], is on track to launch in June,  Our approach to the web will be different from existing sites in several ways and play to the strengths of the media.  In the weeks ahead we'll be previewing elements of our website for you, including an interface with the iPhone and other mobile devices that tie into a completely new type of online community.  Plus, your free registration to EGMi will give you full control over these new features!

I want to thank everyone who has offered support and encouragement over the past 9 months.  It's a big task to create a company from scratch and bring something that started out as an idea into reality.  EGM is obviously a special project for me and the chance to work with some extremely creative and talented writers, editors and producers has been a great pleasure.

As always, let me know what you think and all observations (especially those things you DON'T like) are greatly appreciated.

More to come...

Steve Harris

EGMi On the iPad

Those who have already experienced EGMi (by reading the digital version of the unpublished "Lost" issue here) have gotten a glimpse of how digital technology can enhance print.  Our goal has been to explore how traditional magazine design can be augmented in ways that allow you to dig deeper into stories as well as access additional information of interest. So far, the initial response has already exceeded our expectations.  I think you'll be blown away when you see some of the upcoming game coverage and how we take advantage of what can be done with the Screenpaper technology.

Which leads us to the iPad.

Now that Apple has finally unveiled the iPad, a piece of hardware that blew away pretty much everyone at launch, even more people will be sampling these new kinds of publications. And that's a great thing.  As I mentioned in a Facebook post many weeks ago, we are now developing an iPad solution and hope to introduce it very soon.  Before we show off what we've been working on, however, we want to make sure that the experience it delivers takes full advantage of the special things that only digital can do. 

Some publishers have done very nice jobs of repurposing their existing content into an iPad format, but I think many are missing an opportunity to change the way magazines communicate with readers at a more fundamental level.  In my opinion, there are things about print that just don't translate well to digital (and vice-versa).  It's part of the growing process that any new technology undergoes, I imagine, but the features we're creating for EGMi adhere to this approach (even more than what you've seen in the Lost issue). 

It's this experience that we're working hard to convey in our iPad edition.  Stay tuned for more information -- we're hoping to reveal the first iteration of EGMi on the iPad very soon.

EGM 239.0 COVER REVEAL

 

Dig inside the Summer edition of Electronic Gaming Monthly with our exclusive preview of the Mortal Kombat reboot! Check out our behind-the-scenes report, including new screenshots, an interview with MK Kreator and the creative director Ed Boon, a Mortal Kombat timeline and profiles of the new game's famous (and infamous) characters.  Plus the EGM Interview with Epic Mickey's Warren Spector, tons of E3 previews, and much more!  On-sale June 29th!

EGM 240.0 COVER REVEAL

Electronic Gaming Monthly dishes up the first in-depth preview of Q? Entertainment’s Child of Eden, exclusively in the magazine’s October issue. Step into one of the most exciting new games to debut at this year’s E3 with our hands-on feature that takes you inside Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s mind-bending follow-up to Rez.
EGM 240.0 also dives into Bungie’s final contribution to the Halo saga. See what’s waiting for you in Noble Team’s single-player campaign, the new features that have been added to the multiplayer modes and what would-be designers can expect from the revamped Forge. We’ll show you how Halo: Reach is shaping up as the most feature-packed Halo game yet.
Finally, Fallout and Elder Scrolls fans will love this month’s EGM Interview with Bethesda’s Todd Howard. Get to know the creator of Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and Fallout 3, the inner processes of Bethesda, and some hints about the future!
Subscribers should expect to receive their issues in the next two weeks. As a special bonus, issue 240.0 will be available on the newsstand with two different cover treatments including the Child of Eden cover, or a limited edition Halo: Reach cover, on newsstands beginning August 31, 2010.
Plus, over the next few weeks, the pages of EGMi: The Digital Magazine will be loaded with even more exclusive Child of Eden coverage, including a video interview with Tetsuya Mizuguchi, extended video segments on location with Q? Entertainment developers, performance footage from Mizuguchi’s band Genki Rockets, and more!
NOVEMBER EGM COVER REVEAL

Who’s ready for a little deep-space group dismemberment?
“From the very inception of development, the idea has been to make multiplayer something that is core to the experience, core to the franchise and core to Dead Space 2,” said multiplayer producer Scott Probst in Electronic Gaming Monthly’s November cover story. In this exclusive look at Visceral Games’ forthcoming sequel to the terrifying action/horror/adventure Dead Space, we give you the first look deep inside Dead Space 2’s new multiplayer modes, as well us uncover further details behind the unsettling single-player experience.
As the release of the latest in the epic Call of Duty series grows closer, EGM 241.0 also takes aim at Call of Duty: Black Ops. You’ve read about what developer Treyarch has in store for single-player; now it’s time to look at the big changes being made to multiplayer, starting with the potentially controversial in-game money system. “What currency allows us to do is give the player more freedom of choice,” explained director of online Dan Bunting in our extensive 4-page feature.
 
We also explore the adventure-in-the-clouds BioShock: Infinite, discussing this story-driven first-person shooter with the original game’s returning director Ken Levine. And on top of the various other features, reviews and previews, fans of the Ratchet & Clank and Resistance franchises will especially want to check out The EGM Interview with Insomniac’s Ted Price, who discusses the venerable company’s long-standing passions and unusual independence.
 
Subscribers should start getting their issues next week. Look for EGM 241.0 on newsstands beginning October 10, 2010.
AN EGM UPDATE...

 

It has been exactly six months since the first issue of neo-EGM rolled off the presses and it has been great ride to be sure.  We've experienced some bumps along the way but the reaction to the magazine and our weekly digital companion, EGMi, has been extraordinary.  I know there have been many questions over the recent weeks about what is in store for EGM in the months ahead and I have compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions we have been receiving to create this 'State of the Magazine' update:
 
What has the reaction been to EGM so far?
In almost every way that can be measured the response to the new EGM has been overwhelmingly positive.  It has been quite satisfying to see readers embrace our new print format as well as the weekly digital issues we've published.  EGM is once again the number one selling gaming magazine on the newsstand (by a substantial margin) and our subscription file has grown by more than 100% in just the last two issues.  All of our sales targets have been exceeded and we have brought the new EGM back to a monthly publishing schedule in a profitable manner well ahead of schedule.  This was due in large measure to the strong editorial voice of our writers as well as the steadfast support of our readers who have stuck by the EGM brand despite its brief hiatus.  I'm extremely humbled and appreciative of your continued support.
 
Will subscribers ever get their copies before they arrive on newsstands?
Trust me, I know exactly how frustrating the difficulties we've encountered mailing out copies of our first few issues has been for subscribers during our re-launch.  The fact that our most loyal customers have received anything but perfect service is incredibly disappointing.  As I explained in the past, there are certain requirements that you must meet before the postal service will grant you the permit that allows a magazine to distribute a publication in an effective manner through the mail.  Despite being on our 240th issue it wasn't until our November, 2010 edition that neo-EGM was able to qualify for the permits that will enable us to get subscribers out ahead of the newsstand (and without some of the other delivery problems that are endemic to third-class postage).  We did get the November issue out with this new permit but because of the machinations of mailing, those issues were delayed by a week.  The good news is that beginning with the December, 2010 issue everything is in order and the quality of service that you expect (and we expect of ourselves) will be realized going forward.  Your patience and understanding during this period are greatly appreciated and if anyone is missing an issue or has any questions about their subscription please send a note to support@egmnow.net and we'll make sure it gets rectified by the proper people at our fulfillment house.
 
So where's the iPad version of EGM/EGMi?
This is probably the most frequently asked question posed by EGM readers and, we’re happy to report, the long wait is about to be rewarded with a new kind of application for the iPad that delivers a gaming magazine experience unlike any other. More than a month ago we previewed a version of this technology in a special digital magazine that was created in conjunction with Eidos’ release of Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (an application that you can download by clicking here). The EGM application takes this technology one step further with a 1:1 aspect ratio and other exciting features.
 
First and foremost, our new iPad application will be absolutely FREE and deliver digital editions of our weekly companion magazine, EGMi, for no charge. We also intend to offer a robust news feed from our forthcoming EGMNOW.com website and access to our monthly print magazine at a discounted rate. We plan to submit the finished application to Apple within days and, if it meets with their approval, should have the new reader available for download shortly thereafter. 
 
Is it true I can read EGM on Facebook?
Yes you can.  For the first time you can read an interactive gaming publication within Facebook using some fancy technology developed in conjunction with our friends at ScreenPaper Media.  This new application not only lets you read new issues of EGMi (and, in the future, EGM) inside the number one social media site, but also lets you share, follow, and interact in new ways.  We currently have an Open Beta of our digital newsstand available here and will be adding some additional features in the weeks ahead.  In the meantime, check it out and let us know what you think.
 
Will I ever be able to download copies of EGMi onto my desktop?
Yes.  Within two weeks we will be unveiling a new application that will allow you to save each issue of EGMi onto your desktop to read offline.  Furthermore, for iPass members, we will be offering a digital copy of the print magazine as well as access to past issues of EGM using this new tool.  Stay tuned to EGM's official Facebook and Twitter feeds for more information.

Will EGM ever have a traditional website?

Yes.  We're not quite ready to open the box on this one but trust me -- there will be big changes to EGMNOW.com very soon.
 
So that's the state of things as they stand today.  I do want to thank all of our valued readers again for your continued belief in the EGM brand and promise that we'll continue to work hard to bring you different perspectives on the gaming industry with the same impartiality that has served the magazine so well over the past decades.  In the weeks to come you'll be hearing about some exciting developments, including new staff additions as well as the introduction of podcasts, new foreign language versions of the magazine, and more.
 
In the interim, please feel free to drop me a note directly at steve@egmnow.net.  I'd very much enjoy reading your comments and questions.  I may not be able to respond to all of them, but I will read them all.
 
Steve Harris / Founder and Publisher / EGM

 

DECEMBER EGM COVER REVEAL

“If you look at the first game on paper, it’s the perfect storm for failure,” says Epic Game’s Cliff Bleszinski of his now-multimillion-selling franchise Gears of War. “You have Epic and Scion merging, you have a new version of the Unreal Engine, we’d never done a game on the 360, we hadn’t done a single-player game since the first Unreal, we’d never done a third-person game…the list goes on and on.”
Gears of War certainly didn’t fail, and its hugely anticipated third chapter is now EGM’s December issue cover feature. We dip into the latest details on Gears of War 3’s bevy of upgrades, including the new co-op mode Beast, and a new competitive multiplayer mode Team Deathmatch.
In the spirit of all things Gears, this issue also brings you a Gears of War retrospective. Imagine what this series would have been like if the original vision of a more “Band of Brothers” Gears had come to fruition…
Brutal in its own way is Electronic Art’s latest in the Fight Night series, called Fight Night Champion. In our exclusive first-look at this strikingly detailed boxing game, EGM 242.0 goes hands-on to give you a taste of what’s to come as the series introduces EA Sports’ first M-rated title.
As a special feature this month, we kickstart the holiday madness with our 2010 Buyer’s Guide and top it off with all the features, reviews, previews and more you’ve come to expect from EGM. From The EGM Interview with Tim Schafer, talking about what it’s like to put everything you have on the line to our exclusive shots on some of the best upcoming titles, EGM 242.0 is packed with new info from cover to cover.
Look for EGM 242.0 on newsstands November 10, 2010 (subscriber copies should start arriving any day)!
JANUARY EGM COVER REVEAL

 

The cyberpunk adventure Deus Ex: Human Revolution kicks off EGM’s January cover feature previewing the most anticipated games of 2011. “This is the most challenging game I’ve worked on to date,” exclaims game director Jean-Francois Dugas.

The hard work is most definitely paying off, as this visual stunner stands at the forefront of our 2011 preview blowout! The new issue gives you 28 pages packed with brand-new exclusive images on The Last Guardian, Portal 2, Batman: Arkham City, The Witness and much more!
 
Also in this issue, check out the EGM Interview with Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski, who talks about growing up as a gamer, proving himself in the industry and making one of the most successful franchises for the Xbox 360. “I believe we as game designers are the Stan Lees and Jack Kirbys of our day, and we’re creating these universes that leave a huge impact on people,” says Bleszinski.
 
Now that you’ve ripped through the biggest shooter of the year, the January edition of EGM details 10 things you didn’t know about Call of Duty: Black Ops. We also take a detailed look at the cost of gaming throughout the years and ask the industry: is this latest generation of consoles going to stick around much longer than usual? You get all this plus the usual news, features, reviews and exclusives you’ve come to expect from EGM! 
 
Look for EGM 243.0 on newsstands everywhere December 14, 2010, while subscriber copies will start arriving this week!