Ziff-Davis Launches New Magazine

The Ziff-Davis Video Game Group announced Thursday that Sony Computer Entertainment America has licensed ZD to produce the only official, independent PlayStation magazine in the US.

The October issue of The Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine will offer readers advantages over other similar PlayStation-only publications. First of all, the magazine will be the official source for information about the PlayStation. Additionally, it will be the only US magazine with a PlayStation demo disc included with every monthly issue - providing playable demos of the newest and hottest game titles.

Wataru Maruyama will be the new magazine's editor-in-chief. His previous positions include being a Ziff-Davis liaison to Softbank's gaming publications and the news editor for Electronic Gaming Monthly. Todd Mowatt, former editor-in-chief of P.S.X., will assume the role of news editor for all of ZD's video game publications and respective web sites.

With the publication of The Official U.S. PlaySation Magazine, Ziff-Davis will suspend publication of P.S.X. and convert subscribers to its new PlayStation title.

"There are huge benefits to the market in having a strong magazine dedicated to enthusiasts," said Jon Lane, the group publisher of the Ziff-Davis Video Game Group. "P.S.X. was the original unofficial PlayStation book, fast growing and respected for its editorial strength. PlayStation Magazine will be a beacon for die-hard PlayStation gamers, while leveraging all of the integrity and resources of Ziff-Davis."

"We appreciate the knowledge and resources that Ziff-Davis has put together to produce a first class publication for PlayStation fans," said Andrew House, the vice president of marketing of Sony Computer Entertainment of America. "We are excited about the opportunity to distribute the sampler CD on a monthly basis at newsstand as a unique way for consumers to check out new PlayStation titles. An official magazine is great news for gamers and good for third-party publishers."