gamesTM US Magazine Subscription $75-ish/13 issues

Joe Fongul

Joe Fongul

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Saw this deal in the latest gamesTM (which is an excellent multiformat games magazine from the UK on equal footing with Edge IMHO) advertising a 13 issue subscription for $75. The actual price for the subscription is 50 pounds, which using current exchange rates ($1.65 = 1 dollar) comes out to $82. I've been buying the magazine at Borders every month for $9.99 plus tax since my prior subscription ran out about 6 months ago.

If you have never seen an issue of gamesTM, imagine a nice glossy 150-180 page magazine with excellent writing, reviews and a stellar Retro section in the back. You can check out more about the magazine by going to their website here.

GTM_310x414.jpg


Subscription Deal
COUPON CODE: USA
 
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[quote name='fart_bubble']I don't even spend that much money on porn in a year. No way I'm dropping that much on a videogame mag[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I don't get what makes THIS magazine worth 75 bucks, especially when you can subscribe to ALL of the big name game mags for about 75 bucks.
 
You know the name of this site is Cheap Ass Gamer right?

There's absolutely nothing cheap in paying $75 yearly for ANY magazine. Ever.
 
[quote name='jaybird']There's absolutely nothing cheap in paying $75 yearly for ANY magazine. Ever.[/QUOTE]

to be fair, if you do go off the cover price, it isn't that bad of a deal. Its just not a deal for me
 
[quote name='jaybird']You know the name of this site is Cheap Ass Gamer right?

There's absolutely nothing cheap in paying $75 yearly for ANY magazine. Ever.[/QUOTE]

It's not cheap, but it is definitely cheaper than their normal subscription rate ($125 for 13 issues). Just figured I would throw a bone out to anyone out there that bought the magazine in the US as $6 an issue is a lot better than $10 an issue plus tax.

To each his own...the deal is definitely saving me some $$$ :)
 
The problem is - in this day & age - you've read everything in that magazine 4 weeks ago on Kotaku and Joystick.

Gameinformer is barely worth $12 annually as a result of "free" internet content. It ain't pretty, but print is dying right before our eyes. I'd bet 50 pounds that magazine will be out of business before your 12 month subscription is up.
 
[quote name='jaybird']The problem is - in this day & age - you've read everything in that magazine 4 weeks ago on Kotaku and Joystick.

Gameinformer is barely worth $12 annually as a result of "free" internet content. It ain't pretty, but print is dying right before our eyes. I'd bet 50 pounds that magazine will be out of business before your 12 month subscription is up.[/QUOTE]

As much as I love to check out Kotaku & Joystick (and GAF & CAG), its nice to have something to read that is portable. I do not have internet access at work, so having both my Edge & gamesTM subscriptions gives me something to read about video games that's at least good to great quality.

The magazine is on issue 86 & Edge has been in existence since 1994, so I do not anticipate either magazine going out of business for the next 12 months.
 
[quote name='CoffeeEdge']Just get Play instead.[/QUOTE]

Just get all the other magazines (even non video games) instead.... cost you the same. Is this magazine owned by Apple so all products are higher priced than anything or something?
 
[quote name='Joe Fongul']As much as I love to check out Kotaku & Joystick (and GAF & CAG), its nice to have something to read that is portable. I do not have internet access at work, so having both my Edge & gamesTM subscriptions gives me something to read about video games that's at least good to great quality.

The magazine is on issue 86 & Edge has been in existence since 1994, so I do not anticipate either magazine going out of business for the next 12 months.[/QUOTE]

But the good news is, maybe if it runs out, we'll all get subscriptions to Stuff or Maxim!
 
[quote name='Joe Fongul']As much as I love to check out Kotaku & Joystick (and GAF & CAG), its nice to have something to read that is portable. [/QUOTE]

iPhone or Kindle > Portable Magazine

[quote name='Joe Fongul'] The magazine is on issue 86 & Edge has been in existence since 1994, so I do not anticipate either magazine going out of business for the next 12 months.[/QUOTE]

EGM was on issue #236 and had been in print since 1989.
 
I used to cringe when I wanted one of those "Official US Playstation Magazine" issues when they had a demo to a game on the PS2 that I really wanted to try since the friggin' thing was like $8 an issue.

There's no magazine in the world imo that is worth over $5-6 an issue(if you're buying single issues) and unless the subscriptions are heavily discounted($20 max)they can still shove them.
 
[quote name='Cmosfm']But the good news is, maybe if it runs out, we'll all get subscriptions to Stuff or Maxim![/QUOTE]

LOL!!! My Maxim subscription expires in February 2027. (not a joke)

Just a few more issues and I'm pretty sure the subscription will outlast my life.
 
Lots of thread crappers with little to no intelligence here. This is a good price for an import magazine with a good level of writing. Play? Are you kidding me? I can't think of any magazine in the US that writes for adults. I don't have much experience with GamesTM, but I paid $75 for my Edge subscription and it feels more worth it than my $0 EGM subscription did.
 
Little to no intelligence, huh? It's fine to disagree with people's opinions that it's an expensive magazine subscription, but are the insults REALLY necessary?

As for me, I'll keep getting my gaming news from sites and skip the magazines altogether(minus the rag known as Game Informer, which I have a sub to till early next year).
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']There's no magazine in the world imo that is worth over $5-6 an issue(if you're buying single issues) and unless the subscriptions are heavily discounted($20 max)they can still shove them.[/QUOTE]

eh, though I do it by subscriptions, I've got no problem buying Apollo, ARTFORUM, Print and art ltd
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Little to no intelligence, huh? It's fine to disagree with people's opinions that it's an expensive magazine subscription, but are the insults REALLY necessary?

As for me, I'll keep getting my gaming news from sites and skip the magazines altogether(minus the rag known as Game Informer, which I have a sub to till early next year).[/QUOTE]

It's all up to preference. I've been collecting game magazines for a while now (GameFan for the win!) & my old habit will die hard so to speak.

Just in case if anyone wants to sample the level of writing from the magazine, you can check out NOWGamer. Browse the features section for some republished content from gamesTM, along with their other magazines (including the awesome RetroGamer)
 
Games Tm is a great magazine, but by the time it hits B&N,( due to importing I imagine) the magazine seems to have been out for 3 months in the UK and is 2 or three issues behind. With the subscription are you guaranteed the current issue?

Yes the price is steep, but for some reason video game magazines are still relevant in Britian and are far superior to their US counterparts.
 
OP,

I'm one of those guys who cannot resist going to Barnes & Noble every month for the latest Edge magazine. 9 dollars plus tax, but I just cannot resist.

I haven't seen a Games issue at B&N lately, but I would sometimes pick those up as well. Edge has been offering a similar deal inside the magazine (a little card; "hey you yanks! Subscribe!") I do get a lot of enjoyment out of the Edge magazine, and the recent 200th issue was very fun with a lot of retrospective quotes from the issues past.

I'm like you, I like gaming magazines, and the brit mags are fun to read.

Of course I also was one of the guys who would buy the Amiga Format magazines back in the day.

Thanks for the post, it's a tempting offer for those of us who do get enjoyment out of those magazines, and I haven't seen Games at my local B&N is quite a while.

-V-
 
[quote name='Lagartija_Nick']Games Tm is a great magazine, but by the time it hits B&N,( due to importing I imagine) the magazine seems to have been out for 3 months in the UK and is 2 or three issues behind. With the subscription are you guaranteed the current issue?

Yes the price is steep, but for some reason video game magazines are still relevant in Britian and are far superior to their US counterparts.[/QUOTE]

The delivery time on the subscription is about 5-10 days after the publish date of the magazine. It's a lot faster than waiting for the issue to hit your local Barnes & Noble or Borders.

I did let my subscription run out recently & bought it locally just to save some money in the short term. I'm grateful that I did wait as I saved myself around $40 with the US offer.
 
I picked up a few issues of UK game magazines a couple years ago when I was deciding which game magazines to subscribe to. Although I wanted a couple import mags, the high cost of them (always being $100+) turned me off. While I do agree with the majority of CAGs in this thread that $75 is a lot to pay for a magazine subscription, admittedly, $75 is a pretty good deal on an this magazine, considering the normal cost.
 
Thanks. I subscribed to this about four years ago, but couldn't afford a new subscription at the time. I've occasionally picked up one or two issues every now and again. However, the level of writing, the quality of reviews, and the way the magazine offers more insightful/business side articles (similar to the way NextGen used to) is right up my alley. I am in for one, thanks.
 
I don't know about the others but GI almost always has an exclusive that no one else has so it's never obsolete. The most you can do is look at scans someone has posted.

I really like Edge and considered getting it for sometime but couldn't stomach the price. I still have most of the entire print run of Next Generation which was the best US games magazine ever made.
 
[quote name='jaybird']iPhone or Kindle > Portable Magazine
[/QUOTE]

Not everyone wants to bring that shit to the crapper. Battery die? Small screen? Flip between few pages to compare something? Oh well. Print media still has it's uses.

And... it's an imported magazine, why would you expect local mag prices? Whether this is a good deal or not is subjective anyway.
 
[quote name='Fatbot3']
I still have most of the entire print run of Next Generation which was the best US games magazine ever made.[/QUOTE]

Me too. I remember eagerly awaiting the arrival of each issue. Well written, nicely laid out, even good paper stock, nice matte cover. Ah, Next Generation, how I miss you.
 
[quote name='Cmosfm']Yeah, I don't get what makes THIS magazine worth 75 bucks, especially when you can subscribe to ALL of the big name game mags for about 75 bucks.[/QUOTE]

One issue of this magazine could easily replace an issue of most of the mainstream US gaming mags combined. The only decent one we have left (in print-form) is Play, and even that I can only say so much about.
 
[quote name='loserboy']Me too. I remember eagerly awaiting the arrival of each issue. Well written, nicely laid out, even good paper stock, nice matte cover. Ah, Next Generation, how I miss you.[/QUOTE]

Next Gen was cool, but GameFan was the best. It was so...adorably enthusiastic.
 
[quote name='Teeheehee']Not everyone wants to bring that shit to the crapper. Battery die? Small screen? Flip between few pages to compare something? Oh well. Print media still has it's uses.[/QUOTE]

So, you're implying that print media is only good for bathroom reading? I agree with you if so. But, I usually just use my iPhone instead.

I agree that this deal is subjective. I personally don't get anything by print anymore.... no newspaper, no magazines, no bills, etc etc.
 
[quote name='ruibing']I just got 3 years of OPM for $13, and there is no way gamesTM is that much better.[/QUOTE]

Well the price for three years is great, but the British magazines have much more substance than any US magazines. US video game magazines are written for those with very little attention spans. Something to flip through for the pics and then toss.



"I don't know about the others but GI almost always has an exclusive that no one else has so it's never obsolete. The most you can do is look at scans someone has posted"

GI has Gamestop in their corner. Every publisher and developer wants that cover. Simply for the fact that with every Edge card a mag is given to the consumer weather they care for it or not, they are at least going to see the publishers, developers game on that cover even if a page is never turned.

Lets face it GI has had some games on their covers that turned out to be real stinkers.
 
[quote name='jaybird']You know the name of this site is Cheap Ass Gamer right?

There's absolutely nothing cheap in paying $75 yearly for ANY magazine. Ever.[/QUOTE]



nice! \\:D/
 
So if the magazine was normally 300 bucks for a subscription and you found a sale for 280 is that cheap?

Of course some people might want it, but it's still a huuuuuge ripoff.
 
[quote name='Cmosfm']Yeah, I don't get what makes THIS magazine worth 75 bucks, especially when you can subscribe to ALL of the big name game mags for about 75 bucks.[/QUOTE]The writers are actually literate.
 
[quote name='d8onausa']The writers are actually literate.[/QUOTE]

What is this... "literate" you speak of? This is CAG, being able to read and write is optional, as is a grasp on the English language.
 
So it's a video game magazine for intellectuals?
I'll stick to a few bucks a year with decent interviews, previews, and reviews.
 
[quote name='jaybird']The problem is - in this day & age - you've read everything in that magazine 4 weeks ago on Kotaku and Joystick.[/QUOTE]

Woah there. There is no comparison between the writing at GamesTM and Edge and these two sites.

In this case, you get what you pay for.
 
I buy this magazine every month from B&N,so this is a good deal. I know many of you think it is expensive, and it is. But this is quality publication and I like this a lot more than any of the US mags.
 
[quote name='jaybird']The problem is - in this day & age - you've read everything in that magazine 4 weeks ago on Kotaku and Joystick.

Gameinformer is barely worth $12 annually as a result of "free" internet content. It ain't pretty, but print is dying right before our eyes. I'd bet 50 pounds that magazine will be out of business before your 12 month subscription is up.[/QUOTE]


I agree with much of this statement as far as news is concerned but magazines have made a transition in recent years (at least the good ones) because they are one month delayed. I read kotaku, joystiq, 1up, cag, etc through rss feeds multiple times a day but still find value and love magazines because of their editorial content not because they were the first to report on a ps3 slim etc.
 
[quote name='DesertEagleXIX']Woah there. There is no comparison between the writing at GamesTM and Edge and these two sites.

In this case, you get what you pay for.[/QUOTE]

The point isn't about the quality of writing; the point is that for news, magazines are pretty much completely worthless.

GamesTM is great for editorials, but for basic up-to-the-minute news that you don't need verbose expounding on, yeah, just get it online.
 
[quote name='paean']I buy this magazine every month from B&N,so this is a good deal. I know many of you think it is expensive, and it is. But this is quality publication and I like this a lot more than any of the US mags.[/QUOTE]

I thought I was the only one to do this. I love the mag, the retro section is cool.
 
For those not familiar, this isn't that uncommon with magazines from the UK. It seems they have lots of magazines that are expensive because they don't rely on the American formula of having lots of subscribers to jack up the advertising rates. (That's why something like Maxim is so cheap.) Instead, the subscribers pay more and get it back in terms of quality, both in writing and the magazine itself (glossy, illustrations, etc.).

Actually, I think this is the magazine model that will survive in the internet age--pay more, get more.
 
[quote name='fart_bubble']I don't even spend that much money on porn in a year. No way I'm dropping that much on a videogame mag[/QUOTE]


tru dat!
 
In terms of writing and content no U.S. gaming magazine is half as good as gamesTM.
 
I've subscribed to Edge since around 2002 or so and GamesTM since their first issue around 2002/2003.

I've never bought the magazines for breaking news. No magazine can keep up with the internet, and it's futile to try. Like a few people have already mentioned, the value in the magazines is largely from their editorials, interviews and thoughtful articles. I also find their reviews much better than most of the ones from the US magazines and online.

These are all big articles from this month's GamesTM and EDGE. You won't find any of the GamesTM stuff online, although some EDGE articles are starting to be reprinted online now.


-An audience with David Cage, the man behind Farenheit and the upcoming Heavy Rain, talks sex, violence and QTE action sequences.

-Incentive to Innovate? Out there games like Mirror's Edge push the boundaries of gameplay and style. Out there games like Mirror's Edge never sell well. Why not?

-The Pixel Revolution. The old ideology of software graphics rendering is making a return to games: what does this mean for our screens?

-Arcade Under Fire. The emergence of online services through which we buy games and share experiences are paving the way for a new breed of arcade gaming.

-An alternate PS3 reality. We talk to the man behind ARG Xi on why PS3 Home was it's perfect home.

-The Right Hype. Hype is essential for creating a buzz among future releases. Damaging 'over hype', however, can result in a game that will never meet expectations.


If any of this sounds interesting to you, try picking up a couple issues at your local Barnes and Noble or Borders, and you might find yourself subscribing too. If not, there's always Kotaku and Joystick RSS feeds. I do both.
 
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