XBN not dead, just going into hybernation
- Thread starter sonycowboy
- Start date
So basically XBN will become a quarterly magazine for 2005....hmmm. Xbox releases aren't THAT slow. Bi-Monthly would be better at worst but oh well better than the mag ceasing to exist. However, is everyone staying on with XBN for 2005 or are they going to be leaving for greener pastures? XBN loses its good writers it won't be the same.
My biggest question(s): Are they going to have the same staff doing it, or did they axe them, and will other ZD employees just fill in the blanks during the "downtime??" Seems like a REALLY stupid idea, actually -- even if there aren't many games to review, Microsoft is unveiling their next system in five months, at the latest. If something does pop up at CES, it could be earlier. Seems like a weak excuse? Maybe backpedaling because of negative feedback?
it's not being published frequently enough for a salaried staff, so everyone was cut loose. whether they can be roped into writing the future editions depends on whether they're available -- and willing.Mrbob said:
but yes, XBN, as a special (think pocket games) will be around in 2005.
ferricide said:
Christian, I know they told you guys that GMR was eliminated because EB didn't want to promote the magazine anymore, but did they excuse the XBN cutbacks, the same day no less, with this reasoning (that in the article above)? The shortage of Xbox games? I dunno, I wouldn't doubt EB of doing something horrible like this, but it just seems too convenient that ZD told both magazines on the same day that they were gone, if it wasn't at least partially a decision of theirs (in the case of GMR)...
Seriously, did you see the Xbox game release planning for 2005 ? How can you NOT be convinced Xbox 2 will launch this fall ?dark10x said:Wait a second...so is that really a confirmation of a new system launch next fall??
I guess I'll have to miss out on it.
Hell, Forza will launch just a few weeks before E3, and you can bet one of the main reason it will not be delayed (if needed of course) any further is because it would be killed by the racing game MS will have playable at E3 (Bizarre Creations is very quiet these days
)the gmr decision was partially made by ZD, in that EB only owned 50% of the venture. ziff could have bought the rest out and owned the GMR brand outright, but then they'd have to take us to newsstands and compete with EGM, which wouldn't make a whole lot of sense.
there are no hard feelings on the part of the staff towards ZD, they were put into that position by incompetent fo...I should probably stop.
there are no hard feelings on the part of the staff towards ZD, they were put into that position by incompetent fo...I should probably stop.
Patrick Klepek
furiously molesting tim burton
Soul4ger said:
he probably just means that EB management is mentally challenged.
I shall now hibernate. And sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep...
I plan on blogging a big entry soon wrapping up the existence of XBN with an Untold Story of sorts. Given the sensitivity of the stuff I'll be writing about, the piece will most likely be poured over by ZD management and censored. But I think it's a tale worth telling.
EDIT: POURED, PORED, WHATTHEFUCKEVER.
I plan on blogging a big entry soon wrapping up the existence of XBN with an Untold Story of sorts. Given the sensitivity of the stuff I'll be writing about, the piece will most likely be poured over by ZD management and censored. But I think it's a tale worth telling.
EDIT: POURED, PORED, WHATTHEFUCKEVER.
eXxy said:
Oh... Well, damn, I knew that. Actually, learning that EB had so much to do with the magazine in the first place, I'm surprised, first, that it turned out so amazingly well, and, second, that it lasted as long as it did. You guys did a great job, despite them breathing down your necks, I'm sure. The really low N-Gage score probably ate at them for months. Ah, well.
Soul4ger said:
actually, they were incredibly hands-off with the whole thing, even after the n-gage/enter the matrix incidents. they just wondered why we had to be so..."intense"...with our criticisms, and they made a fair point. but in hindsight, what we took as a sign of good faith should probably have been interepreted as total apathy.
Outdoor Miner
Member
Doesn't mean Xenon is coming out in 2005. You would think they'd want to start Xenon coverage before it's release date. You know, offer up previews of launch titles, system specs, speculations, discussion on design all before launch.
skip said:
I'm not surprised with Enter the Matrix, as that sold an assload anyway. Seriously, though, when we got the issue with the n-gage review in-store, the district manager made some rather coarse comments about it, and said that higher-ups were not happy about it. I kinda figured they were more hands-off -- after all, how would you have been able to put four pages of SMT: Nocturne in a single issue? -- but assumed they still kept an eye on the happenings. Of course, considering the EBTV bullshit they send us every month, I wonder. Though they probably think that thing is incredibly well done.
JoshuaJSlone
Member
Not that i doubt the next MS system will hit within the year, but
Shit happens?Suikoguy said:
captmcblack
Member
chespace said:
Don't post that shit @ 1up, then.
sonycowboy
Member
Suikoguy said:
While there won't be a Halo 2, almost all publishers have committed to continuing their multiplatform support for the Xbox. We also don't have all that much visibility on Sony's second half of next year either other than FFXII and/or DWVII. (not counting multiplatform releases)
Ho come on, not even ONE 1st/2nd party game announced, or even RUMOURED, after the Q1/Q2 batch ? You'd have to be incredibly dense (and I'm not saying you are) to actually believe it's just a coincidence.JoshuaJSlone said:
Xbox 2 will be playable next E3, and Xbox 1 will basically be dead at that time. And believe me, as a European I'm quite pissed by this because I doubt we'll get Xbox 2 until Q1 2006. 9 months without big games will be VERY bad for MS in Europe, mark my words.
FortNinety
Member
chespace said:
So I guess this as good as time as any to ask... even though I really shouldn't.
How does 1UP.com fall into play? Will all of you continue to blog on the site? If you do, how will you address the siuation in regards to say, management? A blog is more than just some random article, it's a personal account, and I would imagine some of that stuff is not something ZD wants to hear. So will they let it go? Or are will they step in? Or will some simply keep their mouths shut?
Bishman said:
I'm so ready for it. 3 or 4 months ago, I think my response would have been that a 2005 Xenon launch is fine with me, but I will wait until the first price drop to get one. Now... I'm convinced that I'll "need" one at launch.
I think ZD is being rather ignorant about the Xbox line-up for the next 6-8 months. I still think there are plenty of stories and if nothing else they can fill the mag with Xenon hype and speculation.
I bet Pocket Games is more likely to go monthly, now that DS has actually sold an f-ton and buzz for the PSP in North America is on the rise. Two viable handhelds could keep that mag going. (And perhaps they'd lift the target of the magazine to a higher age group.... I mean, Pokemon and DBZ shouldn't always have a cover-).
Of course, then probably they'd give it an in house staff and many of us, myself included, would never get to work on it again. Ah well, 14/16 issues and counting!
Of course, then probably they'd give it an in house staff and many of us, myself included, would never get to work on it again. Ah well, 14/16 issues and counting!
Blimblim said:Seriously, did you see the Xbox game release planning for 2005 ? How can you NOT be convinced Xbox 2 will launch this fall ?
Hell, Forza will launch just a few weeks before E3, and you can bet one of the main reason it will not be delayed (if needed of course) any further is because it would be killed by the racing game MS will have playable at E3 (Bizarre Creations is very quiet these days
Only if PGR3 is back to 60fps
If I were smart, or at least adventurous, I'd have already accepted the no less than three chances I've had to apply for positions at GameSpot. But alas, I am one crazy mofo who opts to pick "love" over career and adventure. If I were single, I'd probably already be living in a cardboard box on Second Street with a sign saying, "will play and write about the games you don't want to, for food."Fifty said:
Freelance, as crazy as it is, is the best option for me in terms of a gaming gig... I'd love a steady paycheck with actual automatic withholding and such... oh, to dream.
Most likely, one day I will just get a normal 9-5 doing something mundane and not gaming related, and I doubt I'll be too too regretful, so long as my lady and I stay together.
Sappy, ain't it?
But back on topic -- XBN as a Special is going to end up like Unofficial Dreamcast Magazine did. Haphazard and kaput. Monthly is where it's at.
Musashi Wins!
FLAWLESS VICTOLY!
chespace said:
Well then...do interested parties a favor and post it here where it won't be censored. That's a thread I'll click on.
The Crimson Skies team was working on CS2 for Xbox 2, but has been disbanded a few months ago. So no CS2 at all for us (and it's a shame)Chi-Town said:
As for Brute Force 2, I know nothing about it, but if it exists it's not a game for the current Xbox.
All the remaining dev teams at MS and 2nd party who released a game after summer/autumn 2004 have shifted to next gen. It gives them about 2 years for a launch title, quite a change for most Xbox launch titles who only got 10 months.
bahndotcom
Member
Redbeard said:
Excellent idea...maybe it will catch on.
Kabuki Waq
Member
can i get a link to che's blog?
For the record, Xbox Nation had its farewell dinner tonight. The meal was served with brutal German efficiency at Suppenkuchen and I imagine I will be digesting the bacon wrapped meatloaf for another six years.
I was very glad to make a stand with those people. I wish them luck.
Oh, and Kevin, how many games did I review for the magazine? Hot ham on rye, but I need to catch my breath.
I was very glad to make a stand with those people. I wish them luck.
Oh, and Kevin, how many games did I review for the magazine? Hot ham on rye, but I need to catch my breath.