EGM is done, no more 1up show either

[jmood88]

Within hours of our earlier post regarding 1UP's reported sale to the Hearst-owned UGO network, the deal was confirmed in individual press releases from both entities. Additionally, Ziff-Davis has made official the closure of EGM after nearly 20 years of publication. It's January issue -- currently on sale -- will be its last.

1UP editorial director, Sam Kennedy, is quoted in the release, saying that the site's staff is "extremely excited to join the UGO team." UGO's release states that 1UP.com will operate as a separate entity and implies that its current staff will remain in place. The sale to Hearst also includes GameVideos.com, MyCheats.com and GameTab.com.

The shuttering of EGM -- the oldest multi-platform games magazine in the US -- leaves GamePro and Game Informer as the last bastions of what, with today's news, continues to be the dying breed of print media.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/official-ugo-buys-1up-egm-dead/

I can't believe this. 1up yours was one of two podcasts that I always listen to each week and I'm an EGM subscriber(well it was a free subscription but still). I hope the 1up guys start something new or join giantbomb or something.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

So...do I get a ******* refund on my remaining year or what?

[Eton Rifles]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

Yeah, I saw this too. Most of the Employess were let go(but not all). Really a sign of the times I guess. Ziff-Davis has had a lot of financial problems, so they cut a lot of jobs while selling 1up.

[Flawless]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

At least 30 were let go. Pretty much all of Gamevideos is gone. **** you UGO. I too was a regular listener of 1UP Yours. Hopefully all the people that got laid off can land on their feet soon.

[mgoblue]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

This sucks, I've enjoyed reading EGM for a while.

I knew the print media was dying, but I was hoping more than Game Informer would stay alive. Apparently it's just not feasible anymore

[SqueakyD]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

I can't believe this. 1up yours was one of two podcasts that I always listen to each week and I'm an EGM subscriber(well it was a free subscription but still). I hope the 1up guys start something new or join giantbomb or something.

I'm with you. I've listened to the 1up radio podcasts since 06... It's crazy how so many of the well known names jumped ship in such a short amount of time.

I'm not sure if I would like the guys to join giant bomb, though. it would be like the pro bowl of game reviews podcasts haha.

[cake612]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

This is terrible news, I've been listening to 1up yours for awhile now and it's by far my favorite gaming podcast and second only to Bill Simmons as far as my favorite podcast period. F UGO, looks like 1UP.com has now joined gamespot as the only only two websites I refuse to visit. There may be some good writers left but to get rid of so many people including Shane Bettenhausen(who claims he was already going to leave) and Nick Suttner who were pretty much my two favorite guys on the site is the end for me.
I want to say I'll never listen to any of their podcasts again but I like Garnett Lee and if he hosts something I may have to stick with it but as far as visiting the site I'm done.

Just checked the list again and Greg Ford and Andrew Fitch are gone who did a good job on the sports anomaly podcast, now I think I'm offically done with any podcasts/websites affiliated with UGO.

[FedEx227]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

What a ****ing ******* culture we're becoming. We get our only reading huddled over a laptop. Ugh. I'm really glad my last three years of college I really started getting away from journalism and focusing more on my TV/radio production. Print media is going to die and it's a complete shame.

[Flawless]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

One last issue of EGM and it will be for everyone.

James Mielke

By now you've heard the news, and a lot of it is sad. But now is not the time for me to write that blog. I have a lot of love for the people who are here, who were here, who will be here, and who won't be here, and it's a little too soon for me to write the epic, mother of all mother blogs, but when I do, you will know it. For now, I have to finish trying to pack up 10 years worth of legacy. Don't worry about us. We knew it was coming, we just didn't know it was coming this hard. We'll all resurface in some fashion or another, and we will continue to entertain. What you need to know is that we control our destiny, and like cats, we will land on our feet. Personally, I've had and have a lot of options, many of which might be predictable, many of which you would never guess. What I can say is that no matter where I go, what I do, my blog will remain here. I will continue to embrace, diss, argue, delete, and celebrate you here on 1UP. I was talking with some of my friends here a few moments ago, and reminisced about what it was like when I first started doing this 'professionally' over 10 years ago, and pondered on how, the instant you put words in a magazine, or on the internet, everyone --and by everyone I mean millions of people-- will suddenly second guess you or the work you do, your motivations, and every last ding dong thing about you. Well, now that I'm looking at a nice, long break from any of that, I can honestly say, that until you've worked on a magazine, until you've worked on a website full-time, five days a week (at minimum), slaving away 'til the wee hours of the morning to produce something you believe in, like I have, with Gamespot, EGM, GMR, 1UP (and then EGM), you do not know what it's like to walk in my shoes. And in the last 25 percent of my life, which I have devoted solely to Ziff Davis, it has been great. And for the most part, you have been great. I will see you soon with the blog that counts. 10 years is a long time to remember. Did you know that --despite all the rumors that EGM would be closing-- actually completed one, last, beautiful, glorious issue of EGM? Indeed. You will see it very soon. It will be for everyone.

Shane Bettenhausen

Greetings and salutations, Sadly, I haven't got much time to wax philosophical about my many years of service to Ziff Davis/ EGM/ 1up (as the massive 1up drink-on downstairs beckons), but I'll do that tomorrow, I promise. Watch this space. For now, please know that my decision to leave 1up magically coincided with the big UGO deal that's currently galvanizing 1up into something new, unique, and hopefully still awesome. I'd decided to broaden my horizons and venture into unexplored areas during the holidays...and the news today helped me to cement my choice. Please don't worry about me: I already have a new gig lined up in the not-too-distant future that's still 100% dedicated to gaming. (I'l be forever bummed that my role as Audrina's new love interest on The Hills didn't pan out, though...) Tonight, please pour one out for my many comrades who will wake up tomorrow facing uncertain futures. May everyone land on his or her feet, and hopefully our paths will continue to cross for decades to come... Good night and good luck, -Shane

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

We'll see more fail this year IMO. Some of other sites and magazines won't be around by year's end, it's just not financially feasable to do it anymore.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

We'll see more fail this year IMO. Some of other sites and magazines won't be around by year's end, it's just not financially feasable to do it anymore.

Times are tough in the Media right now, especially in Print.

It's not just the lower level people that are getting laid off, it's the anchors and sportscasters as well.

It's a sign of the times, a sad one at that.

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

Times are tough in the Media right now, especially in Print.

It's not just the lower level people that are getting laid off, it's the anchors and sportscasters as well.

It's a sign of the times, a sad one at that.

You got that right. The company I work for has been privately owned and operated for 50+ years. In all those years, they've never once let someone go because of budget cuts. Well in a month or so, that'll change. I'm pretty confident I'm safe but you just never know.

This current state of the economy is affecting everyone. Businesses aren't making as much money so they don't spend as much money on advertising, which is affecting every single aspect of media.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

You got that right. The company I work for has been privately owned and operated for 50+ years. In all those years, they've never once let someone go because of budget cuts. Well in a month or so, that'll change. I'm pretty confident I'm safe but you just never know.

This current state of the economy is affecting everyone. Businesses aren't making as much money so they don't spend as much money on advertising, which is affecting every single aspect of media.

Yep, you nailed it there.

I hope you are safe, as I do every single day I walk into work.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

I believe I am safe for now, but who knows. I know I've seen 6 colleagues laid off in the past 2 months. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but that's from a newsroom staff that was at just 25 people in that department.

Most of them were good hard-working folks, it's just upseting. I can't imagine anyone losing their job is a good feeling.

I stay positive. If that door decides to close on me someday, I know another one will open up. Maybe not right away, but eventually.

[HiJumpr111]

Re: EGM is done, no more 1up show either

My wife is the Director of Finance for Circulation of our city's newspaper. It is owned by a large corporation that is struggling mightily in today's economy.

It's amazing the impact of advertising dollars has on the media. It is indeed their life-blood.