Electronic Gaming Monthly Acquired, Will be Revived

Founder Steps Up, Further Announcements at E3

When Ziff Davis announced it would cease publication of Electronic Gaming Monthly, it not only marked the end of an era for print journalism, but one of the pioneers of the mainstream gaming media.  That era, however, doesn’t appear to be over just yet.

EGM’s original founder, Steve Harris, announced Friday on EGMNow.com that he has acquired the publishing rights to the magazine, and will begin sending new issues out to newsstands later this year.

The press release, in full below, includes a statement of support from ZD chair Jason Young, who ceased EGM’s publication earlier this year, sold its online counterpart 1UP.com to Hearst, and laid off more than 30 people:

Steve Harris, founder of “Electronic Gaming Monthly” magazine, announced today that he has entered into an agreement with Ziff Davis Media to re-acquire certain assets, including trademarks and publishing rights, with plans to re-launch EGM in the second half of 2009.

“The re-launch of Electronic Gaming Monthly represents a welcome opportunity to continue delivering quality content to gaming enthusiasts,” said Harris. “I feel honored to once again be associated with this respected magazine. The talented writers and designers who built upon EGM’s original vision have left behind a publication that is uniquely positioned to be successful.”

“Electronic Gaming Monthly is and always has been one of the most respected publications among the gaming enthusiast community,” said Jason Young, CEO, Ziff Davis Media Inc. “We are pleased that EGM is now in the hands of its original creator, Steve Harris, and wish him and the publication the best of success in the future.”

“We have exciting plans for the evolution of what will once again be a leading independent voice for the gaming community,” Harris continued. “The twenty year success of the EGM brand has always been built upon a commitment to its readers who I believe will enthusiastically embrace the changes we are planning to introduce.”

Additional details and future announcements will be made during the upcoming E3 expo and posted on the magazine’s official website at www.EGMNOW.com or via the official EGM Twitter account at www.twitter.com/EGMNOW .

More information is expected during the Electronic Entertainment Expo this week in Los Angeles.  As soon as those details are divulged, we will pass them along.  So don’t fret yet, subscribers left in the dark–that money you paid may not yet be for naught.