Thoughts on print magazines
Feb 21, 2007 21:33:30 GMT -5
Post by ahnslaught on Feb 21, 2007 21:33:30 GMT -5
I was thinking about this some today, and I'm wondering what you guys think.
Basically, I've been a fan of print mags since I was a kid buying my first EGM in the early 90s. I like having them on hand without having to start my computer, and it's just fun for me to flip around old issues and check on old games. As we all know, though, the print mag is in danger of going the way of the dodo bird.
Quite obviously, mags are outdated in the type of content they typically carry (i.e. previews and reviews, with a big feature on one or two games per issue). Websites do the same old song and dance much quicker, and with even greater quality because of the availability of features like videos and tons of screenshots. Plus, there's just the sheer number of outlets which a person can go to get impressions on a game.
So, where do print mags go? I have noticed a trend toward more big features in a couple of mags, and stories that aren't about a specific game but something related to gaming in general (such as GFW, which recently ran stories for a couple of months on gaming in different cultures (EU, Middle East, Christians)). It is pretty interesting stuff, and definitely covers topics that aren't found in websites. That being said, I don't know how many people (including me) would buy a gaming magazine that doesn't focus on previews and reviews and instead focuses on other issues in games.
What do you guys like/want to see? Is the print mag doomed?
Basically, I've been a fan of print mags since I was a kid buying my first EGM in the early 90s. I like having them on hand without having to start my computer, and it's just fun for me to flip around old issues and check on old games. As we all know, though, the print mag is in danger of going the way of the dodo bird.
Quite obviously, mags are outdated in the type of content they typically carry (i.e. previews and reviews, with a big feature on one or two games per issue). Websites do the same old song and dance much quicker, and with even greater quality because of the availability of features like videos and tons of screenshots. Plus, there's just the sheer number of outlets which a person can go to get impressions on a game.
So, where do print mags go? I have noticed a trend toward more big features in a couple of mags, and stories that aren't about a specific game but something related to gaming in general (such as GFW, which recently ran stories for a couple of months on gaming in different cultures (EU, Middle East, Christians)). It is pretty interesting stuff, and definitely covers topics that aren't found in websites. That being said, I don't know how many people (including me) would buy a gaming magazine that doesn't focus on previews and reviews and instead focuses on other issues in games.
What do you guys like/want to see? Is the print mag doomed?
