Posted 04/02/09 at 04:25:45 PM by Nathan Grayson

Oh, sure, FileFront was circling the drain as recently as a few days ago, but fortunately, its original founders fished it out at the last second.

“We're happy to announce to the gaming community that as of today, April 1st, 2009, FileFront is a completely independent company again and is no longer part of Ziff Davis Media. All previously suspended services should be active and working again. We thank Ziff Davis Media for their cooperation and willingness to keep the site and community alive,” reads a message from FileFront’s founders.

FileFront also made it excessively clear that its brush with death was in no way an April Fool’s joke – despite the fact that the download service popped out of its casket during the least productive “work day” of the entire year.
 
So! Since April Fool’s seems to have somehow acquired the ability to – on a whim – resurrect Ziff Davis gaming properties, does this mean EGM also once more walks among the living? Please?

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Posted 01/06/09 at 10:26:48 PM by Nathan Grayson

It’s the end of an era for videogame magazines. Electronic Gaming Monthly, Ziff Davis’ flagship multiplatform gaming magazine that began publication in 1989, is no more. Today, Ziff Davis announced the sale of its Game Group to Hearst Corporation, owner of the UGO network of websites. EGM, sadly, won’t be making the jump -- nor will the fan-favorite 1UP Show or any of the network's podcasts. 

"We are extremely excited to join the UGO team," said Sam Kennedy, editorial director and creator of 1UP. "Relying on UGO's publishing platform will allow us to focus on what we do best -- creating great content and 'owning the conversation' among gamers through our unique, authentic and definitive voice and community."

Many of 1UP/EGM’s former employees, on the other hand, don’t share Kennedy’s excitement. Joystiq has the full list of lay-offs and departures – which they’ve aptly titled “Assessing the damage” – should you wish to get an up-close look at 1UP’s shattered remains.

Our best wishes go out to the many affected by this unexpected turn of events. Your smiling faces' monthly presence in our mailbox will be sorely missed. Even so, whatever you do next, we’re sure it’ll be amazing.

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