Ziff Davis Media, as you may recall, sold the 1UP Network to UGO last year, to much fan rage. The long and short of it is this: 1UP would either go under or be sold to a network that actually cared about it and its staff, contrary to your average acquisition.
Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), part of the network, was even less fortunate, as it was a print magazine with higher production costs and a readership that was dropping more all the time. As such, it got the cut. A sad day, indeed.
Fans can rejoice though: today an agreement between Ziff Davis and EGM's founder Steve Harris has been made to bring the magazine back. After all the economic turmoil and such especially, this is beautiful news.
The press release states Harris has "[re-acquired] certain assets, including trademarks and publishing rights, with plans to re-launch EGM in the second half of 2009."
“The re-launch of Electronic Gaming Monthly represents a welcome opportunity to continue delivering quality content to gaming enthusiasts,” said Harris. “I feel honored to once again be associated with this respected magazine. The talented writers and designers who built upon EGM’s original vision have left behind a publication that is uniquely positioned to be successful.”
“Electronic Gaming Monthly is and always has been one of the most respected publications among the gaming enthusiast community,” said Jason Young, CEO, Ziff Davis Media Inc. “We are pleased that EGM is now in the hands of its original creator, Steve Harris, and wish him and the publication the best of success in the future.”
“We have exciting plans for the evolution of what will once again be a leading independent voice for the gaming community,” Harris continued. “The twenty year success of the EGM brand has always been built upon a commitment to its readers who I believe will enthusiastically embrace the changes we are planning to introduce.”
More details and future announcements are assured to be coming at E3 and posted on the magazine's new website -- www.EGMNOW.com.
