Best Buy and Future US have unveiled @Gamer, a new print magazine catering to both hardcore and casual gamers that will also offer “hundreds of dollars in savings annually” toward purchases.
Each issue of the multi-platform @Gamer magazine will be at least 100 pages and cover around 30 of the month’s “best gaming products.” William O’Neal, previously the gadget and technology correspondent on G4TV’s Attack of the Show, will serve as Editor-in-Chief, while veteran game journalist Andy Eddy will take on the Executive Editor role.
“We’ve assembled a stellar editorial team – a who’s who in gaming – to ensure @Gamer is an independent and modern multi-platform magazine that will engage the most enthusiastic gamers,” said Future Plus Vice President John Gower.
Setting aside the many risks inherent in launching a new gaming magazine at a time when gaming magazines are floundering badly, Gower’s comment highlights the biggest question mark hanging over the venture: Can a promotional tool realistically be expected to deliver honest, useful and unbiased content? What are the odds that we’ll see a negative review of a major blockbuster game that Best Buy has heavily invested in promoting? Or, conversely, that we’ll find out about hot new stuff that Best Buy isn’t carrying?
@Gamer will launch later this month – June 27, according to the image currently parked on the @Gamer website – and will cost $5.99 per issue at Best Buy or $19.99 for a ten-issue subscription. Almost $150 worth of exclusive discount offers on games and accessories will be included in the debut issue and future issues will include at least $20 is discounts; however, while anyone can buy or subscribe to the magazine, the promotions will only be available to customers who sign up for the Reward Zone Gamers Club, Best Buy’s free “gaming loyalty program.”
