Jigsaw's Blog: My thoughts on games (and other stuff)

Game Magazines Dying?

I’ve heard a lot of people say over the last year that gaming magazines on their way out. With the internet you can get the same information sooner. Game reviews and previews for games in this months Official Xbox Magazine were up on game sites like IGN and GameSpot a month ago. OXM has their demo disc that adds some value to their magazine, but all of the demos they have have also been available on Xbox Live Marketplace. A few were delayed until a while after OXM released, but for the most part all of the demos on the OXM demo disc are already on the Marketplace by the time the magazine gets to my house. I guess people who don’t have broadband access may like the demo disc, but broadband is growing. Will there be anyone in 5 years that doesn’t have broadband internet access if they really want it. Without new demos what value does OXM provide that I can’t get elsewhere? Official Playstation Magazine ended last November and it provided a demo disc as well. OPM not only provided a demo disc, but it does not have an easily accessible way to download the demos like the Xbox 360 provides. If OPM could not make it with better circumstances what chance do gaming magazines without demos have? Personally, I still subscribe to OXM. I’ve thought about canceling but every few months they’ll get an exclusive early review or interview that interest me just enough to keep my subscription. I canceled my Electronic Gaming Monthly subscription years ago when I realized I could get all the same info online. I’ve got a few months left on my OXM subscription before I decide about it, but unless they come up with some great content I don’t see myself renewing the subscription.

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