Gamertell

Joystiq is reporting through “multiple sources” that the UGO network is currently in “advanced talks” with Ziff Davis over the purchase of the 1UP network.

Neither 1UP, Ziff Davis, or UGO has yet to comment on the situation, so as of writing, Joystiq is our only source of information. The buyout will supposedly include websites 1UP, GameVideos and MyCheats. Meanwhile Electronic Gaming Monthly, the remainder of Ziff Davis’ gaming publications, and FileFront will probably not be part of the deal.

This is big news indeed. 1UP’s future has been in question for quite a while and, when Ziff Davis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, both curiosity and worry peaked and the flames were further fanned with the departure of a number of personnel.

Along with 1UP’s fate, EGM‘s fate has had similar questionable future thanks to a combination of events such as Dan Hsu leaving, Games for Windows magazine getting axed and Ziff Davis’ comment on taking the publication online-only. At least now we finally might get some answers regarding the fate of these two gaming powerhouses.

Joystiq reports that the 1UP staff have been notified of the deal and even that executives from UGO may be meeting with them as early as today (December 10, 2008). Those fearing that UGO will somehow crumble the 1UP network into nothingness, they can relax, since part of the deal is that 1UP will remain independent of the UGO branding.

While little details were spilled about the deal including figures and other terms, EGM and FileFront’s fate looks dark. Ziff Davis has apparently had trouble selling advertising for the February issue of EGM and hints are that February will be the last issue. 

If this news is true and everything does work out, then gamers will get a big win out of this. 1UP remains one of the biggest and most popular gaming networks to date and I think we can all agree that they do some damn fine work. Most importantly, it will mean one less article about jobless.

As for the grim EGM news, while it is sad, especially since thousands of gamers love reading the rag, I can’t see a way for the magazine to survive long-term. As much as I hate it, digital publication is taking over at a very rapid rate and while nothing beats reading a magazine on a relaxing day, it’s hard to afford printing without advertising dollars. Surely with everything going digital, the EGM art team will be able to stay on to tackle 1UP’s growing content amount.

Read [Joystiq] Also Read [Gamertell]

Sites [1up.com] [GameVideos.com] [MyCheats.com] [FileFront.com]