Area 5 Joins Bitmob in Joining EGM!
matt chandronait
Some of you may have already heard via our Twitters, but the announcement just went out last night that we'll be joining our friends over at Bitmob in providing content for the newly rebuilt Electronic Gaming Monthly! Check out both press releases in full at EGMNow.com.
For those of you that don't know the history of EGM, there's a bit of it in the press release, but the salient point is that Steve Harris, original founder of EGM some 20-odd years back has regained the rights to the EGM name and is launching a product both familiar and revolutionary. We're not allowed to reveal many of the details, but Steve and EGM are looking to make a big splash and I'm sure you'll hear more shortly. For those who are curious about what we CAN reveal, both Area 5 and Bitmob staff will be on hand for next week's RebelFM (iTunes link) podcast to talk details.
I've received a few twitter messages and emails from people wondering where that leaves CO-OP, Revision3, and Area 5 as a whole. To clear things up a bit, Area 5 is its own video production company and therefore we simply look to produce content for people who wish to hire us for our services; which means status quo for CO-OP and that we'll be producing new video content for EGM. A good example is the work we're currently doing with 1UP via LiveUpdate. They hired us to shoot and edit the weekly show but that hasn't precluded our other production commitments.
Reader Comments (30)
Congrats guys, this is great news. Should provide a much more stable income for the company now which is great!
Hey Matt and the rest of the Area 5 group,
Thanks for clearing this up - I've been watching Co-op since the first episode and this was a small concern, that we might lose such a fantastic program. I'm thrilled to hear that won't be the case, as what you guys are doing is entirely unique in the industry, and it needs to exist.
That being said, this is such a strange place to be in compared to the start of the year. In an odd way, the layoffs from 1up seem to have almost revitalized the games press side of things; while 1up still produces excellent content, we now get, in addition, so many varied perspectives from so many different avenues that the industry feels less closed off and insular. And bringing those forces together in this manner could do a great deal for the print side of things as well. I work as a writer and editor in the book publishing industry, and seeing a union such as this fills me with hope that print might be salvaged from the brink after all.
Cheers,
-Andrew Wilmot
I just have to say this is fucking awesome. I had little hope for neoEGM but with the talent Steve Harris is rounding up I'm really excited to see what happens. I think a well-earned congratulations is in order and I will be subscribing to whatever comes next.
I'm really happy for you guys. When murmurs of you not being able keep Area 5 afloat started, I was worried for all of you. Glad to see that it looks like you'll be fine and we'll be able to enjoy your content for quite some time to come.
Fuck Yeah!
Congrats on making it on to EGM! Now I'm even more excited to get my hands on the new EGM. Now, get me a job out there and I'll be even happier! ;)
Looks like great news to me... EGM reborn. Keep up the good work you guys.
It's so metal that the bass player of Iron effin-Maiden is putting all this together.
My main concern with the new EGM was that it would be just another gaming news outlet, but now that I know you guys and Bitmob will be involved I am really looking forward to giving them my money when prompted.
@matseffect ... that remains to be seen, but I do have high hopes for the new EGM :)
@Andrew Wilmont ... 2009 has been one of the strangest of my life, to be sure. Good, bad, everything together. I take a lot of what you wrote to heart and think you're more or less right on the money. Diversification from tragedy can ultimately turn out best for everyone involved and this may be along those lines. I think print publishers have finally caught on that they need to adapt to the times and offer products where accessibility is key regardless of the mode of transport for their content. EGM will be, we think, at the forefront of this movement which--I think--is as it should be :)
@Travis Johnson ... Indeed, sir, it shall be glorious! Let's just hope it's a glorious rebirth and boom-time rather than . . . something else.
@Derek Levigne ... we're still not out of the woods, but even being in business as long as we have been considering our lack of income is a positive sign. EGM is a startup even though it has a very well established brand and that means that money is going to be tight. But, again, we're used to that.
@Myckel ... Agreed!
I have my wallet ready as soon as new EGM subscriptions are available. I miss that magazine (what it used to be back in the day) and am excited for its return. Way to be guys!
CONGRATULASHUNS GUYS!!!
So Matt, exactly what is the extent of the amount of video you'll be producing for the new EGM on a weekly basis? Ten minutes? Six hours? All original content, correct? Should I just shut up and wait a couple weeks to get the details?
This is something I thought would never happen and yet it's coming true: the return of my favorite magazine! I started reading EGM when I was 10 and only stopped after 1UP was bought by UGO and you guys ended up on the street. Now, at the age of 24, I finally get to go back and read from the minds of the people who helped me discover my love of games and writing! I was excited to hear that Shu was going to be working on it but to hear that you guys were coming along for the ride makes me ecstatic.
As soon as it starts coming onto the market I will buy a two year subscription. It's great to hear you guys are back and I wish you the best in the future.
Sincerely,
Chris Davis
Austin, TX
HookedGamers.com
Very much agreed, Matt - diversification from the ruins of what was in the only way we are going to move forward. I don't know whatthe future holds for daily newspapers, but there is no reason that print magazines and book publishing can't find a way to diversify our content - and the delivery of said content - in such a way as to give equal prominence to both print and digital forms of publication.
I'm right there with you guys. I may not be in the gaming industry (though I would happily sacrifice my not-yet-conceived first born to get a chance at writing game scripts), but at the start of 2009 I was laid off from a publishing house (graphic novel publisher in Montreal called Drawn & Quarterly) and have been struggling to keep afloat with contract work ever since, and just now, through some interesting collaborative work, things are looking up again. 2009 has been like a restart - 2010 is where we hit the ground running.
Again, awesome news and I can't wait to see what comes from all this.
Cheers.
High fives all 'round! Yeah!
This is great news. Simple as that.
OMG! They are getting the band back together! I'm so happy for you guys. You have no idea how great this is for the gaming community and industry. This is freaking awesome. Great week for me! First, I get engaged last night with my girfriend, now this!? I can't wait for the new year! Go Go Area5! and the rest of the 'original' 1up crew.
@sdf
Are you absolutely sure that this is the same Steve Harris? I'm sure there are thousands of Steve Harris' around the globe, probably just a case of same names. anyone who knows and care enough, feel free to enlighten us :D
@satanas, I was just joking. :-D
Congratulations.
EGM was always regarded by many as the quintessential magazine for video gaming (and also the place to be). Now with you guys on board, the new EGM will be even better than it was before.
Best of luck.
This is so exciting. Congratulations! I'm really glad to see the folks from 1UP Show landing on their feet. I graduate from college in Oklahoma in three semesters. See you all soon!
Really glad to hear this guys. And I had no clue you guys were doing work for 1UP again. Real glad to see that even though business ends forced you guys apart, you all still find ways to keep the connection going to benefit each other. Good luck! Looking forward to seeing your collaboration together.
I hope this new EGM (what format will it be in?) works out for you guys, I'd love to see some success go your way!
YESSSS!!!!!!
EGM shall never die!
My magazine shelf hasn't been taking up much space lately and this will sure fill it.
Area5, you just made my day!
Glad to hear you guys got a new gig :) I was concerned there for a second it might mess with CO-OP but sounds like you guys can juggle everything hopefully.
I just read on EGMNow.com that Seanbaby is coming back too!
Ill miss Co-op but am very happy for you guys and look forward to seeing your work in EGM. Merry Christmas.
This news is a nice early Christmas present to long time EGM readers. Best of luck guys.
Great job putting together the Live Update show... but watching Matt Leone being himself over backwards to squeeze out a 'mtv'-style performance was just excruciating.... This is just so far from the style and tone of previous 1UP podcasts that it just screams "Fake" ... or perhaps even "sell-out"... sorry... buy that was my gut response.