The only first widespread gaming magazine in the country is now closing? The rumor has been circulating online forums and gaming communities for a few days and I, as an editor for a competing gaming publication refuse to comment much on this. After all, I know Ed Geronia personally and he’s cool.
Could this be the last issue?
If indeed this were true, I would want to know what Summit would be doing to its captured audience of gamers who have been reading the magazine since the early 2000’s. Sayang.
So why are they closing? I don’t have the necessary information to make an informed decision but if you were to ask me, as one in the publishing as well as gaming industry, it would have something to do with franchising a magazine that features console games.
Here are some points to ponder:
1. Console gaming industry in the Philippines is zilch because of piracy.
2. Games Master is a foregin franchise. You would need to have very good circulation and advertising revenue to maintain the monthly cost of the franchise alone.
3. The gaming market in the Philippines is focused on online stuff because that’s where the money is at.
4. Could they be coming up with another magazine because Summit didn’t renew the contract with Games Master UK?
In any case, I do widh Ed and his cool crew a good one. We’ll know for sure in the next month if this is really true. The world is watching! I’d sure hate to see a Summit publication go out of business. It says … something.
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I sure do hope Summit isn’t closing, and I think the trends don’t look headed that way either. Perhaps they’re just streamlining things, and most likely coming up with another gaming mag without the franchising overhead, one that is more tailored for Filipino gamers. Sana.
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