GameRoom Magazine is no more...(RIP)

[chiLLbiLLy]

(Thought this warranted it's own post, to distinguish from the previous "cutting back" post and to alert those that care, that the magazine has permanently closed down.)

This is really terrible, terrible news.  GameRoom was the only magazine that I actually read from cover to cover.  Hell, it's pretty much the only magazine I still subscribe to these days and it's really gonna suck not looking forward to and having a new issue to read each month.  Like the previous post talked about, I too, had wondered why the magazine had suddenly been cut down to such smaller amounts of pages, but for some reason, it never occurred to me that it was about to cease to exist.

That being said, I would like to thank Kevin for his service and time with the magazine and for his real elevation of it, during his tenure, to a more professional looking and appealing publication.  I know magazines and especially newspapers are slowly, but surely, becoming extinct, but I'm sorry, I don't always want to read things online or on an e-reader type device.  Call me old school or what have you, but I like holding the actual product in my hands and flipping through the pages, while I'm laying in bed, eating on the couch or taking a dump. 

Hopefully, Kevin might give us a little deeper insight as to what really happened with the magazine.  I mean, we can pretty much guess it's probably one or more of the following:

1) Not enough ad revenue
2) Not enough subscriptions
3) Not enough content
4) Too high printing/mailing costs

But I seem to recall Kevin saying something about having health problems, back when Retroblast folded, so it could be a combination of any of the above, plus the health concerns.  That, and I can't remember, but was this a full time job for Kevin or a side business?  I'm sure that makes a huge difference.  Either way, I'm sad there wasn't a way to shake things up to make it work somehow, like going bi-monthly or quarterly, but then again, I know nothing about magazine production.

Regardless, once again, I want to thank Kevin, Mitch and any others on this site that contributed to the magazine.  Believe me when I say that it will sorely be missed...

[markronz]

Boo!  I loved this magazine!  I actually noticed their re/subscribe button was missing from their website maybe a month ago.  I sent them an email and they added back the button at least long enough for me to renew my subscription.   Sure hope I didn't get charged for that!  But looking at my bank statements I don't see it on there, so I am guessing/hoping they knew of their closing in advance enough to not charge me.   Anyway, regardless of my own fiscal concern, I'm terribly sad to see this magazine go. It's literally the only magazine I subscribe to, and I loved reading each one!  Gameroom, you will be missed.

[yotsuya]

I just started my subscription and had received two issues so far. Oh well.

[Malenko]

mostly #4

[KevSteele]

Hopefully, Kevin might give us a little deeper insight as to what really happened with the magazine.  I mean, we can pretty much guess it's probably one or more of the following:

1) Not enough ad revenue
2) Not enough subscriptions
3) Not enough content
4) Too high printing/mailing costs

First off, thank you for the kind words - now let me try and explain what happened.

The reasons were #1, 2, and 4. Basically, the economy over last two years devastated my advertisers - a good number of them are just plain gone, and the others cut back or dropped advertising completely. I lost half of my advertisers in the last year alone.

This leads to a vicious cycle: less advertisers = less money to print = less pages = less subscribers = less advertisers. Lather, rinse, repeat.

GameRoom was already running on a shoestring budget, and this situation just made it impossible. Only way I was going to be able to continue would be to double subscription prices - and who wants to pay $72 a year for a magazine? Online digital magazines are emerging, but really aren't quite ready for prime time, and unless every subscriber willingly moved over to a digital sub, I was still going to have people wanting a print copy, a copy I could no longer afford to have printed.

Hit me up via PM if you want to sell me your PDF.

 

Where were you when I needed subscribers? You wouldn't subscribe but now you want all the back issues?

Seriously, though, if you still want a copy of the Digital Archives, I'm willing to sell you a download code for the cost of a one year sub ($36) -- PayPal to orders@gameroommagazine.com


It's been a rough ride, and this is definitely not the way I saw things ending up. I do want to thank everyone for their support over the years, and hopefully the new year will bring with it a better economy and brighter prospects.  - Kevin

[AC.]

Great Magazine Kev, sorry to see it go.

[Donkey_Kong]

It was a great run Kevin, you created a legacy in the few years you had the mag. Be proud! I wish you all the best in your next venture.

[mccoy178]

Thank you for your service to the hobby.  I have tremendous respect for the work you put in on this and it was something I greatly looked forward to.  (Even if you did let Zackkk put his goofy face in there.)

[leapinlew]

Sorry to see it go Kev. Best of luck to you and your family and your future endeavors.

[Havok]

Oh well, it was a good run - thanks for the time you did put in Kev, it's appreciated.

One question for you - when should we be getting the postcards? I still haven't received one yet...

[KevSteele]

Oh well, it was a good run - thanks for the time you did put in Kev, it's appreciated.

One question for you - when should we be getting the postcards? I still haven't received one yet...

Postcards mailed out Wednesday - with the post office, give it about a week before panicking.

[yotsuya]

I got mine yesterday, Kevin. Thanks for the gesture. I downloaded the 2.3 GB file and checked them out. The first issue I looked at was the Luna City home arcade. Good stuff!

[Marsupial]

and here I was thinking about getting a subscription for christmas...

[BobA]

Has any consideration been given to preserving the reviews and articles?   I see they are still accessible but for how long?

[KevSteele]

The reviews and articles are all from RetroBlast.com, and are already archived here on BYOAC.

[Malenko]

The reviews and articles are all from RetroBlast.com, and are already archived here on BYOAC.

you should add more pinball stuff.

[saint]

http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/, with Kevin's kind permission.

[Raitsa]

1 too many , in the URL

[saint]

Fixed, danke.

[BobA]

http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/, with Kevin's kind permission.

Thanks Kevin and Saint
 

[Malenko]

This is a new beginning for me, as I use this opportunity to put 100% of my energies into publishing GameRoom, and creating the best retrogaming magazine I can.

I still <3 you.



No love for my pinball joke? fer shame

[Donkey_Kong]

http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/, with Kevin's kind permission.

Thanks Kevin and Saint
 

Very cool, and that my friends is just part of what I meant of the 'legacy' Kevin is leaving behind!