In the words of the immortal poet Justin Timberlake, “What goes around, goes around, goes around, comes all the way back around…” as it was recently announced that a whole slew of familiar faces would be showing up once more with the immanent return of Electronic Gaming Monthly.
In a series of press releases issued last week, Publisher and original EGM Founder Steve Harris (not to be confused with the venerable Iron Maiden bassist of the same name) welcomed back former Editor-in-Chief, Dan “Shoe” Hsu and editor Demian Linn, writer/professional internet celebrity Sean “Seanbaby” Reiley, and the video production team of Ryan O’Donnell, Matt Chandronait and Area 5.
Shoe and Linn, who went on to form the community-based Bitmob.com after their departure from Ziff Davis (prior to January’s 1UPocalypse) will continue to helm their own site while also overseeing the production of content for the reborn EGM (which will also include the EGMNOW website and the yet-to-be-fully-explained EGM[i]: The Digital Magazine).
“I am thrilled to see Dan and Demian on board the new EGM,” said Harris. “Both of these journalists have a keen understanding of the industry they report on, and that exceptional insight is something I know readers will value. Both did a fantastic job of retaining and building upon EGM’s independent voice after I left the magazine, and Dan’s role as editor in particular was instrumental in the publication’s rise to its leading position in the industry.”
Meanwhile, Ryan, Matt and the boys over at Area 5 – the crew responsible for producing the most excellent 1UP Show at Ziff and now their own acclaimed CO-OP at Revision3 – have been contracted to produce content for the new venture as well.
“Bringing Ryan, Matt, and the Area 5 team on board the new EGM is a huge coup for the magazine and helps us realize our goal of successfully integrating print and digital elements into a single cohesive product,” said Harris. “The 1Up Show, fueled by Ryan and Matt’s passion for gaming as well as their excellent video production skills, helped create a new kind of online gaming journalism. With our new digital interface we hope to expand upon this concept with the help of the entire Area 5 group, including Jason Bertrand, Rob Bowen, Jay Frechette, and Cesar Quintero.”
Lastly (for now, as Harris states that more “high-profile contributions from past writers and personalities” will “soon be announced”), the new EGM will see the return of the infamous Seanbaby and his “Rest of the Crap” column. Mr. Baby had the following to say:
“It’s great to return to EGM, although the games they make me play are legally considered torture by the Geneva Convention. In fact, I think ‘That’s So Raven 2: Supernatural Style’ for the Gameboy Advance is now on the cover of most of their torture documents.”
With all of these announcements, it makes us wonder how many more of Ziff’s former chickens are going to come home to roost once more under a familiar masthead. Here’s to hoping it turns into something amazing once more. Keep an eye out for future announcements on the relaunch of the EGM franchise.
[Via: EGMNOW]
