EGM Going Online Only?

EGM, Ziff Davis' flagship video game magazine (the only one remaining in print after filing bankruptcy earlier this year), might be going online only in 2009.

Earlier today, Gamasutra linked to a story in the New York Times that hinted at the new direction.

Buried in the story about PC Magazine is this snippet, which doesn't feature any direct quotes from Young: "Mr. Young said the company was considering taking its other print magazine, the video-game publication Electronic Gaming Monthly, into an online-only format, but would not make a decision before the end of the year."

Young blamed PC Magagazine's online move on projected losses for the magazine in 2009 due to "fewer advertisements and rising costs", according to the NYT story. It is unclear how PC Magazine and EGM ad sales and costs compare.

He also pointed out that online had been the publication's primary focus for some time now -- a situation which is potentially mirrored with EGM. Ziff Davis currently operates games-oriented site 1UP.com, which already functions as EGM online.

The magazine and website share content and writers freely. In fact, they some time ago moved to end the distinction between online and print editors, moving its editorial staff into a more generalized pool that works on both properties. EGM also currently maintains a branded presence on the 1UP website.

I suppose it's inevitable that this will eventually happen, but I'm still a little sad. Hopefully if/when it does, the online portion will maintain the same quality and be more profitable for those involved.