Farewell, Gamepro...

Sad news came to me just a few minutes ago, and probably the wave of overwhelming nostalgia I'm feeling right now rides up there when EGM initially shut down operations the first time around.

Gamepro, one of the longest running video game magazines in existence, is shutting down operations for good in the US, showing signs of the times and the end of an era. The news, which hit the web instantaneously in sites like Venture Beat as soon as the publication posted the announcement, has sent ripples and shockwaves in the gaming community, and there are certainly a lot of mixed reactions to its sudden and surely inevitable demise. Beginning in 1989, the magazine was slowly going to shift from a monthly publication schedule to a quarterly one, but that doesn't seem to be the case any longer, as parent company IDG has formally announced it will shut down operations. Gamepro's website, which has been in operation for 13 years, will now be absorbed into PCWorld, and will take effect come December 5th.

As with all cease and desist operations, Gamepro's offices will be closed down, and people will be laid off and lose their jobs as a result. In the article by VentureBeat, the shutdown is described as the "creative success not falling in line with business success", and that can be attributed to the times and lack of push the publication industry has because of the influence and presence the internet generates today.

As a gamer and person who grew up in that generation, Gamepro was one of my initial sources for news, walkthroughs, tips, and tricks related to the world of video games. I used to buy a handful of issues back in the day, and I still have said copies stored and kept in my collection. Despite being out of touch with it in recent years, reading this bit of news now has weighed down heavily in my heart, and I feel for those who have remembered the magazine for its contributions to the video game news industry. It may have had its shortcomings compared to the likes of EGM, but it still delivered hot and potentially interesting news to gamers worldwide. Truly, the mag shall be missed. For more details and the rest of the story, visit the source post at Venture Beat or Gamepro's soon to be gone official website itself.

Here's a final salute in the form of an issue cover I had and remember well from the 90's. It was during the 90's console war era, and back then I had a Sega Genesis and played Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition, with this particular magazine serving as a guide to me. Those were the good ol' days of gaming, which were arguably blissful and simple.

Rest In Peace Gamepro, and thanks for everything.

Et Tu, Toyfare?

Another one bites the dust.

After reporting and getting official confirmation that Wizard Magazine will cease publication, it has also been confirmed by a report in Newsarama that the monthly's sister magazine, Toyfare, will also be put to a close. So ends a generation of good stories and updates that center around the world of popculture as a result. While Wizard concentrated on everything and anything about the world of comics, Toyfare had the distinction of focusing solely on toys. Everything from upcoming releases to a photo gallery of collectibles were displayed for the diehard collector to droll on, and there was even a monthly comic strip born out of the publication called "Twisted Toyfare" that became a popular hit with the reader base. For a time, I collected Toyfare with a passion, and it always made me happy to get my dose of toy eye candy with each new issue and unique toy gallery presented. But like Wizard's fate with the advent of the internet, the magazine wasn't so updated with news anymore, and eventually the slow decline became an inevitable closure for the book.

In the wake of the loss of both printed mediums, Wizard World Inc. will launch a new online publication called "Wizard World". How that will debut remains to be seen when it eventually sees the light of day, but let us take a moment to pause and reflect on the demise of two great publications. R.I.P Wizard and Toyfare, and thanks for the memories.

Marvel and ESPN The Magazine team up for the NBA Preview issue!

Marvel.com has released an image that shows The House of Ideas joint collaboration with ESPN The Magazine to produce artwork featured in this week's NBA Preview issue! That's right, that magazine, due in stores this Friday stateside, has NBA superstars like Kobe Bryant teaming up with Marvel's very own friendly neighborhood webslinger, Spider-Man, and the top artistic talents in Marvel today are the ones behind it! If the word "AWESOME" sums up fans' reactions to this, then this mag will surely be a hot seller! Check out Marvel.com for the full feature and details!

Welcome Back, EGM!!!

And so it begins... The Return Of The King Of American Video Game Magazines!

Back in January 2009, my heart sank completely when I learned that Electronic Gaming Monthly was no more. Its publisher, Ziff Davis, sold 1UP.com to UGO Entertainment, effectively putting to rest the magazine many fellow gamers and I have been reading since its inception on the summer of 1989. Unlike other competitors, EGM's strong point was its writing and content. The magazine contributed a lot to the gaming industry and its consumers by providing mostly first hand and exclusive content not seen anywhere else, becoming a dominant and trusted force in the video game community. Even with the advent and eventual expansion of the internet, the brand alone spoke volumes. It was a reliable source of information, reviews, and unbiased opinions from sincere and devoted people who were passionate about gaming in every sense of the word. From the moment I picked up the Megaman 2 issue in the late 80's to the time I actually believed in the April Fool's jokes they made (like the Sheng Long Street Fighter II trick), EGM was a brand that me and my fellow gamers could wholeheartedly rely on, until its unceremonious demise.

However, all was not lost.

In the eve of E3 2009, EGM writer and founder Steve Harris acquired the rights to publish EGM anew for both online and print mediums. The relaunch would occur sometime before or after the new year, and as part of the promotions, the "Lost" EGM issue, originally dated for a February 2009 release, was released online and appeared in the restructured website, EGMnow.com. Through the website, people can register and subscribe to EGMi - the digital magazine companion to the print medium we gamers all know and love. EGMi features exclusive content like video interviews and live page browsing that can only be experienced when you sign up.

I picked up my copy of the "New and Improved" EGM just today, and I must say, it feels good to be back reading a printed international magazine devoted entirely to gaming again. It's fitting that for the relaunch itself, the new issue focuses on Street Fighter once again, specifically on "The Street Fighter Legacy" and its impact on the fighting game industry, not to mention the latest installment in the series released by Capcom - "Super Street Fighter IV". In fact, the "Zombie Issue" sports two covers featuring SF stalwarts Ryu and Ken, and for this reunion, I picked the man with the headband just for the occasion. In addition to the emphasis on SF, the issue also includes a look back at EGM's past; An exclusive interview with God Of War/ Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe; And an inside look on games that were hyped and anticipated by many, like the recently released Xbox 360 exclusive Alan Wake. There's also some features and commentaries by many of the top writers and players in the gaming industry today, including content contributed by new guys like Marc Bozon (former IGN Editor), and by EGM veterans like Dan "Shoe" Hsu, Ryan O'Donnell, and... Sushi X!!! Of course, that means that we can't forget about the reviews... they're back as well! They're all present here again, with the numbering system and good, bad, and ugly commentary intact. As part of the synchronization process, the magazine comes with a unique "iPASS" code that brings on more exclusive content when you log in online and sign up!

With all that said and more to look forward to in the future, Electronic Gaming Monthly is truly back and here to stay. Reading this rebirth brings a tear to my eye... and fresh new smell of magazine goodness on my face. Anybody who knows the brand better get skipping to their nearest bookstore or magazine stand and pick up a copy now! EGM IS BACK PEOPLE! Spread the word!