120
rate

The end of an era ... No more Gaming Magazines?

November 13, 2007 in News comments 8

Are gaming magazines reaching their end? With the internet always having up-to-date gaming news, (sometimes posting news only hours after it was announced), it seems as though gaming magazines might soon become a thing of the past.
Monthly editions are unable to keep up with the fast-pace of the internet, and will sometimes be late with printing out news, or will be reviewing games that have already been reviewed weeks ago on the 'net.
So will gaming magazines soon become obsolete?

Noel Goodman subscribes to three video game magazines, but he wants information faster than the magazines can reach his mailbox.

“I can find out on the Internet information that won’t be in magazines for another month,” said Mr. Goodman, a 30-year-old electrician in Newport News, Va., who took Halloween off to play video games. The magazines, he said, are “always going to lose when it comes down to content. I can get everything online.”

While video game magazine publishers beg to differ, that is precisely their challenge — retaining readers as the Internet grabs their audience and advertisers. Why wait for a monthly mailing when the Web has fresh game reviews, articles and tips on how to beat the games?
Miss Razz via nytimes.com »
Favourite this article Add source
| More
Report!

Comments

Register as a member to subscribe comments.
  • 0
    Dai Nov 13, 07
    Unlikely that they'll be ending anytime soon. With free game demos, printed info, exclusive interviews, and special sections found only in select magazines- I highly doubt the industry will give up the trade. Not to mention that there are plenty of people not using the internet for reviews, previews, and gaming news. With the success of the Wii, potential of the PS3, and highly valued titles on the 360- gaming magazines have a lot to make into written media. Heh...
  • 0
    random_gamer Nov 13, 07
    It's be a shame if gaming magazines went away. I have a subscription to EGM, and I've always found that they have at least a few articles or random things that you just wouldn't see on a site like IGN. The reviews are a bit dated, but they're still interesting to read.
  • 0
    Rinkydink Nov 13, 07
    Such a shame really. I remember when I was a kid, I used to get game magazines religiously, and rarely missed an issue on certain ones. These days, I very rarely get any magazines at all, since the internet provides all that I need to know about the going-ons in the gaming world.

    Magazines were more fun to read too as a whole..
  • 2
    X_MANBEARPIG_X Nov 13, 07
    I still buy at least 2 a month.

    They're easier and more interesting to read, and when I look for news on the internet, I only look at the games I'm already interested in. But when I read a magazine, I read almost every article so usually I get interested in a game from the magazine and will then follow it avidly on the internet.
  • 0
    Gamesta100 Nov 13, 07
    I for one get the Official PS mag every month.I might read reviews on the internet, but I only really care about the mags reviews because 99% of the time I agree with them.

    Also mags don't have morons posting pathetic replies.
  • 0
    Zero and X Nov 13, 07
    Eventually, but not now, its much to soon.
  • 1
    Bale Fire Nov 13, 07
    Game magazines are indeed a dying breed. I feel within 5 years we'll be lucky if there are even 1 or 2 game magazines still in existence.

    Before I discovered Neoseeker I used to love going through game magazines. I would read a new mag about three times the first day I got it then read it at least 3 more in the next week. But aside from the Internet I've also discovered the library and while the magazines are usually at least a 2 months old I can read them for free
  • 1
    Final Blade Nov 13, 07
    Yeah the game magazines are dying and i suspect in few years it will be gone. I usually didn't get magazines cause the Internet provided all information. This article is so true they can't handle the updated news the Internet get 24/7. Game magazines may not have alot info if they were stick around, perhaps have some info and cheats and stuff. But unfortunately the magazines aren't cheap and thats why i didn't get many of them. While everyone may not have PC's doesn't mean they have money for the magazines and the fact whether the parents even allow the kids to buy them.

    Hate to say this but they are like a dying breed like silver mirror stated and its going die at one point. Hell even if you don't have a PC but have a PS3 or 360 you could browse the internet like a PC. There is all sorts of ways to get gaming info nowadays its advertised like a mofo. Magazines are the thing of the past.

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.