Official Xbox Magazine Shuts Down | Continuing Video Game Publications Facing Budget Cuts at Future

[Dancrane212]

Via Eurogamer, more in the link such as the bosses at Future taking a pay cut:

Long-running Official Xbox Magazine shuts down

The Official Xbox Magazine has closed down, Eurogamer has learnt.OXM folded last week, with the magazine's last few rem…

www.eurogamer.net

The Official Xbox Magazine has closed down, Eurogamer has learnt.

OXM folded last week, with the magazine's last few remaining staff let go. Eurogamer understands OXM is one of six magazines closed at Bath-based media company Future, although it is the only gaming magazine among them.

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It seems Future is making significant changes to its video game publications. Last week editors sent emails to freelancers warning of budget cuts, with some budgets completely wiped out. All this comes at a worrying time for the video game industry and the self-employed, with the coronavirus wreaking havoc on normality.

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Best wishes to those laid off.

 

[Soulflarz]

Damn, OXM has been around what, nearly 20 years? oof.

 

[TheUnseenTheUnheard]

Well that sucks. Just before the new generation. Good luck to all.

 

[BaronVonJof]

Any word on OPM? Weird to close only 1 of their gaming magazines? Maybe it didn't sell as well as the others?

 

[Ankit Gaba]

F

 

[Gloam]

How long will EDGE stick around?

 

[Camisado]

What a shitty time for this to happen :/ Best of luck to them all.

 

[Falore]

Which print based videogame magazines are still around these days? I used to read them all the time.

 

[gofreak]

Bad times. Protect Edge at all costs :( Maybe the new console cycle will stoke interest a bit?

 

[Magoo]

I wouldn't have had anything to play at the original Xbox launch if it wasn't for OXM and the demo discs. Ended up putting loads of time into Fuzion Frenzy then never actually got the full game.

All the gaming mags I used to buy have gone now after this. From CVG up to when GamesTM was cancelled.

 

[Dancrane212]

Which print based videogame magazines are still around these days? I used to read them all the time.

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Off the top of my head...

Game Informer, EDGE, Official PlayStation Magazine, PCGamer, and Retro GAMER.

Then you have some crowdfunded magazines like Nintendo Force and Switch Player.

 

[Fatmanp]

I have not read a games magazine for nearly fifteen years but this is sad especially for those affected. I am quite honestly surprised they managed to survive as long as they did the moment demo discs stopped being a thing.

 

[Windu]

Which print based videogame magazines are still around these days? I used to read them all the time.

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Game Informer and PC Gamer I think are the big ones. I only really follow them because of their digital offerings though. Game Informer has a great podcast and PC Gamer's website is good for news.

Funny that the only reason I'd be upset if these magazines went under is that it might affect their digital stuff.

 

[rochellepaws]

It seems like Retro Gamer, EDGE, PC Gamer and Official Playstation Magazine are the last survivors for gaming at Future.

 

[OneBadMutha]

Where am I going to get my demo discs?

Who else has boiled OXM discs to get them working back in the day?

Most memorable cover story: Brute Force - Halo killer?

 

[Deleted member 51789]

Definitely sad to see even if the writing has been on the wall for a while. Can't see OPM lasting much longer either, then they'll only have Retro Gamer, PC Gamer and Edge left in their stable.

I hope at least some gaming publications remain. Magazines might be a dying form of journalism for this and other hobbies but they still serve a purpose with in depth features and interviews, as well as usually high quality writing.

 

[Buff Beefbroth]

The end of an era. PRetty sad to hear. Used to read every issue multiple times over back in the days of the original Xbox.

 

[WadiumArcadium]

I was a regular reader during the 360 era. Sad to see them go.

 

[stn]

Dang, was a great magazine back in the day. So many fond memories of the demo discs, which I still have. Probably my favorite gaming mag ever along with Gamepro.

 

[Proven]

A shame for many reasons but the next decade of Xbox is going to be the best in its history IMO. I really liked OXM

 

[Scottoest]

Game Informer and PC Gamer I think are the big ones. I only really follow them because of their digital offerings though. Game Informer has a great podcast and PC Gamer's website is good for news.

Funny that the only reason I'd be upset if these magazines went under is that it might affect their digital stuff.

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Game Informer recently had massive layoffs too. And PC Gamer's website is reminding me more and more of Buzzfeed, with some of their low-effort content and clickbait.

Not that I have any right to complain, considering I haven't bought either magazine in over a decade at least.

 

[Kamaros]

damn, OXM is legacy. fondly memories of reading it on early 7th gen. some of the best articles and new game ads, i saw there.

i can almost recall the issue that i saw this:

changed my gaming life forever.

hoping everyone lands on their feet.

 

[Lashley]

Really sad to see gaming mags dying out :( I still buy em

Only got PSM and PC Gamer left

 

[Deleted member 39374]

I have fond memories of OXM leading up to the 360 launch.

 

[Strafer]

demo disc heaven

 

[nihilence]

Paper is dead.

 

[Deleted member 64241]

Paper is dead.

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Yep.

 

[Dancrane212]

Some thoughts by former staff of the magazine:

 

[FacelessSamurai]

Paper is dead.

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This pretty much, I don't see gaming magazines in store shelves that much anymore and most people aren't really buying them anyway when it comes to the newer generations; it's a dying breed and I wouldn't be surprised to even see some of the big players like Edge die out in a few years as they can't really keep up with online.

 

[Redcrayon]

This pretty much, I don't see gaming magazines in store shelves that much anymore and most people aren't really buying them anyway when it comes to the newer generations; it's a dying breed and I wouldn't be surprised to even see some of the big players like Edge die out in a few years as they can't really keep up with online.

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I think Edge will be alright for a while as it functions as much as a trade mag as a consumer one. Retro Gamer will also be OK as it isn't directly competing with the likes of Eurogamer etc either, it's focus on the 8-bit UK scene combined with the older console gens makes it a pretty stable niche (at least until my generation gets much older). PSM probably isn't too long for this world though.

 

[OG_Thrills]

OXM was the go to for demo discs for UK gamers. Worth it's proverbial weight in gold at one point.

Sad to see it go, especially in this truly surreal time we're living through. Happy to hear that Future's other gaming websites are still up and running.

 

[Syncro]

You can currently get a 5 issues for £5 subscription with Retro Gamer, Official Playstation Magazine, Edge and PC Gamer or even better choose 2 of them for £8 with 20OFF code at checkout. Help get the subscriber numbers up a little.

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[Fiddle]

damn, OXM is legacy. fondly memories of reading it on early 7th gen. some of the best articles and new game ads, i saw there.

i can almost recall the issue that i saw this:

changed my gaming life forever.

hoping everyone lands on their feet.

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Wow wtf I'm pretty sure I still have that copy somewhere at my childhood home

 

[Kamaros]

Wow wtf I'm pretty sure I still have that copy somewhere at my childhood home

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it's just chilling and awe inducing. for me it's the best poster ever made for a game.