Gameroom Magazine cutting back?

[Havok]

I hope this isn't a trend, however has anyone else noticed that the Gameroom mag for this month is bit on the light side? I gave away all my older mags, but at least for the last four issues, they've been 44 pages, and the latest one is only 30. Time to pick it up a notch Kev!

 

(Just noticed that crazy smiley, had to work it in somehow...)

[pinballwizard79]

Yep its been light for awhile.

They were 60+ pages, then they hit 40+ pages for a few months right before my sub expired....I was thinking about renewing but then wasnt sure if they kicked it back up to the 60's.

Evidently not

Bummer, oh well print is expensive so I cant blame the dude one bit.

[Havok]

Now it's getting to be more of a pamphlet than a magazine, especially if you remove the advertisements and just look at the content. Hopefully Kev can get some more meat in there, perhaps with user submissions. Maybe we need to start an article drive.

Hmmm.. Now what to write about?

[Malenko]

Hmmm.. Now what to write about?

Write an article on how the mag is conserving trees by having less pages.

[patm95]

I can't even see where get a subscription on the website.  Do you just have to buy one copy at a time?

[Havok]

I hope he hasn't thrown in the towel. I don't see anyplace to renew\subscribe either. I found a link with a Google search, but it doesn't work on his site. Hopefully it's just an error from upgrading the site...

[FrizzleFried]

That magazine is expensive to produce.  Full glossy four-color throughout?  Expensive.  I'd rather see him go with a cheaper paper with more pages than a higher quality paper with less.  It all comes down to ad revenue though.  A healthy publication needs to keep around 65% ads 35% content to survive...

Less ads = less content = less pages.

I can't believe that cheap bastard Gary Stern isn't advertising MULTIPLE full pages in Gameroom.  I mean the dude is bent on selling to the "home gameroom" crowd... what better place to advertise than in GAMEROOM magazine?   Dude should be rolling with the inside front cover and the back cover each and every issue...

[Havok]

I can't even see where get a subscription on the website.  Do you just have to buy one copy at a time?

Subscription links are back up. Now we just need more content or I won't be renewing. Unless they reduce the price...

[FrizzleFried]

I can't even see where get a subscription on the website.  Do you just have to buy one copy at a time?

Subscription links are back up. Now we just need more content or I won't be renewing. Unless they reduce the price...

$3.00 per month is TOO EXPENSIVE?   I think $3.00 per month is a great deal even for a 32 page Gameroom.  It's $3.00 a month for crying out loud.  I spend twice that amount for a burger and fries.  Hell,  if $3.00 a month it too much for you perhaps you should subscribe for longer term?  At 2 years you're paying $2.83 a month... I know that $.17 a month savings might push you over the edge...

Hell,  at $3.00 a month you should subscribe for the sole reason to HELP OUT THE ONLY MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THIS HOBBY... really.  I know you're not a cheap bastard Havok... come on man.

[Havok]

Now why do you have to break it down like that, and make me look cheap? You're right - it is a good deal, however you've got to admit that 30 pages barely constitutes a magazine. I could understand dropping the page count by a couple, or maybe 5 - but from 60 a few years ago, then to 44 a couple of months ago, down to 30? If print is too expensive, let's move to an electronic distribution only model and either drop the price or up the content.

[BobA]

3.00 per issue US is a deal compared to.

4.75 per issue Canada or 8.75 per issue Foreign.

[FrizzleFried]

Now why do you have to break it down like that, and make me look cheap? You're right - it is a good deal, however you've got to admit that 30 pages barely constitutes a magazine. I could understand dropping the page count by a couple, or maybe 5 - but from 60 a few years ago, then to 44 a couple of months ago, down to 30? If print is too expensive, let's move to an electronic distribution only model and either drop the price or up the content.

Yeah,  32 pages is pretty small... especially since 4 of those pages are cover/back cover/inside front and inside back cover.... BUT it's all about the economics.  No ad revenue = less pages.  PERSONALLY... I'd like to see Gameroom go back to a mix of full gloss / newsprint paper... with more pages... but Kevin is concerned that advertisers who are used to the high quality paper will not be happy and will leave... understandable concern for sure...

Again... someone tell that cheap bastard Gary Stern to advertise his new home machines in Gameroom...


PS: Mitch... if I see another "on your knees" review/interview of RAM's products WITHOUT a mention of the issues involved I just might cancel my subscription (j/k of course but COME ON MAN... REALLY?)

[RayB]

Ever pick up a Cosmo magazine? It's 10 pages of articles and 82 of ads. Is that what you want?   

Kevin should consider pursuing Stern advertising, as mentioned as well as other vendors. You know, don't wait for advertisers to come to you, you go to them (assuming that's not already the case).

Next, is there an iPad version yet? Print media is dying as an industry, so might as well push a digital format (that's more than just a PDF)

[Havok]

Ever pick up a Cosmo magazine? It's 10 pages of articles and 82 of ads. Is that what you want?   

Well, if you go the Cosmo route, you'd have to write SEX somewhere in big letters on the cover....

[Benevolance]

Plus advice on configuring your mame machine for proper mood lighting and the six best mame games whose attract modes will get you laid! Not to mention 5 tips for a flatter tummy NOW.

[RayB]

Plus advice on configuring your mame machine for proper mood lighting and the six best mame games whose attract modes will get you laid! Not to mention 5 tips for a flatter tummy NOW.

I'd buy that for $3!

[yotsuya]

Six best mame games whose attract modes will get you laid:

1: Dragon's Lair (Knight in shining armor fantasy, plus most of us are probably as dorky as Dirk)
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:

[Havok]

Technically DL is not a Mame game as the code may be there but the CHD is not available...

[yotsuya]

Chicks don't care about the technical details.

[Havok]

I like smart chicks...

 

[yotsuya]

Amen to that!

My wife likes to play Ms. Pac-Man, and that's about it. My 8 year old daughter, though, is going to be a full-fledged video game nerd like her dad.

[Donkey_Kong]

How could you not want GameRoom Mags strewn about the home arcade (or at least in the lounging area)? No matter what, the cover is usually badass. Most of the people on this forum owe it to themselves, to own every copy. Friggin' awesome decor if nothing else (the decor thing is tongue and cheek of course, which we all know it is plenty more than that, but still a valid point actually). Now, if I just had the GameRoom. Since I have known of GR's existence, I have dreamed of a home arcade with the perfect spread of them across a coffee table, maybe in a custom made magazine holder/shelf to impress the company. Sit back and relax in the time machine awesomeness of the older issue's. You get the picture. There is surely something missing with 0 literature for any hobby/showcase (especially to be considered fully pimped).

If we lost GameRoom, a huge part of this hobby dies! To me it would be equal to losing BYOAC. Get off the $3, do whats right. Would you pay $3 to keep BYOAC going, if necessary?  Right now GameRoom Magazine is one of the very few physical entities that represent the retro gaming community.

[Havok]

If we lost GameRoom, a huge part of this hobby dies! To me it would be equal to losing BYOAC. Get off the $3, do whats right. Would you pay $3 to keep BYOAC going, if necessary?  Right now GameRoom Magazine is one of the very few physical entities that represent the retro gaming community.

It's not so much the $3, it's the continuing loss of content, until it dwindles down to nothing. Would you be happy to see BYOAC start to lose forum bits, one at a time? How about we delete the Project Announcements this month, and the Software forum next month. Next, how about the monitor forum, then the jukebox... Would it be as great then? Further expand the analogy to that this is a paid membership to the forum, and we start losing categories at a steady rate, but still keep paying the same fee.

I understand the cost of publishing rises, but actively pursue more advertising to offset the rising costs, don't just chop the magazine in half within a two year timeframe. Or, raise the subscription price by a buck or two. I want to see Gameroom Mag succeed and thrive, but I am concerned about the fairly rapid loss of content.

[Donkey_Kong]

Maybe we're just a suckers, but if it's shiny and says GameRoom on it, chances are a lot of folks around here will probably buy it. That's pretty much my only criteria.

[BobA]

You were 100% correct about them cutting back.

RIP Gameroom Magazine

You will be missed. 

[Havok]

Yeah, it does definitely suck. At least the consolation prize softens the blow temporarily.

Kev will just have to start writing articles here. How about a Gameroom forum?

[Jeff AMN]

Man, seeing the magazine go under REALLY sucks. It's one of the last magazines I bothered to read, and I've really enjoyed it for the past couple of years even with its dwindling amount of content.

RIP GameRoom Magazine, and thanks for all the great content.

[:oj]

In a few years there won't be any printed magazine or newspaper, because you can get porn, news, knowledge or anything else for free thru the internet. Thats life, and i hate it (sometimes) 

[Donkey_Kong]

In a few years there won't be any printed magazine or newspaper, because you can get porn, news, knowledge or anything else for free thru the internet. Thats life, and i hate it (sometimes) 

I'm going to guess your age. 23.

[BobA]

In a few years there won't be any printed magazine or newspaper, because you can get porn, news, knowledge or anything else for free thru the internet. Thats life, and i hate it (sometimes) 

I hate dragging a laptop into the bathroom when a good old mag will do.

[DeLuSioNal29]

In a few years there won't be any printed magazine or newspaper, because you can get porn, news, knowledge or anything else for free thru the internet. Thats life, and i hate it (sometimes) 

Actually, most newspapers are moving to online content (and charging for it).  It's no wonder:  They are saving money by printing less.  And there is a higher profit margin for online distribution.  Not only do subscribers pay for it, but advertisers as well.  Slam dunk.  This unfortunately is where the paper publication industry is headed.  E-books anyone?  I first heard this story on the local news radio.  I recall them saying that online subscription sites with news content were increasing (even for subscription based sites).   

Read more here:  http://brandingbrand.com/blog/will-newspapers-survive-future-of-newspapers-dangle-by-a-link/

[Havok]

If anyone wants to sell me a copy of their PDF, let me know.

 

Try sending a PM to this guy:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=1070

I think it's $99...

[BobA]

I tried to buy one when they had their 50% off sale but it would not take my order entry.  Not sure why.

[:oj]

In a few years there won't be any printed magazine or newspaper, because you can get porn, news, knowledge or anything else for free thru the internet. Thats life, and i hate it (sometimes) 

Actually, most newspapers are moving to online content (and charging for it).  It's no wonder:  They are saving money by printing less.  And there is a higher profit margin for online distribution.  Not only do subscribers pay for it, but advertisers as well.  Slam dunk.  This unfortunately is where the paper publication industry is headed.  E-books anyone?  I first heard this story on the local news radio.  I recall them saying that online subscription sites with news content were increasing (even for subscription based sites).   

Read more here:  http://brandingbrand.com/blog/will-newspapers-survive-future-of-newspapers-dangle-by-a-link/

Thats what I meant (and didnt wish). Of course I prefer a "real" book (btw I adore scifi by  Alastair Reynolds) instead of a piece of electronic. But I dont rule the economic system, it's ruling us.