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| Editor | Francesca Reyes |
|---|---|
| Categories | Xbox, Xbox 360 |
| Frequency | 13 yearly |
| Circulation | 425,000/month (US)[1] and 66,894/month (UK)[2] |
| First issue | 2001 |
| Company | Future Publishing |
| Country | USA/UK |
| Language | English |
| Website | Official Website |
| ISSN | 1534-7850 |
Official Xbox Magazine is a monthly video game magazine which started in November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released for E3 2001, with another preview issue for November 2001. The magazine is bundled with a disc that includes game demos, preview videos and trailers, and other content, such as game or Xbox updates and free gamerpics. The discs also provide the software for the Xbox 360 for backward compatibility of original Xbox games for those without broadband and Xbox Live access.
The magazine features previews, reviews, and cheat codes for Xbox games. On November 22, 2005 the Xbox 360 was released, and the magazine began including Xbox 360 game reviews, previews, and Xbox 360-compatible games on the demo disc. The Official Xbox Magazine reviews every Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade game, as well as downloadable content and expansion packs.
Contents |
Content
On the Disc
- Every issue contains a demo disc with both Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade games. Each demo contains unlockable content like gamer pics and hidden demos. There was, at one point, a sim-like game called 'OXM Universe'. Gamers play the games on disc and view the videos on the disc to gain points, but only 800 points are needed for the unlockable content. The points have another use in which gamers use their points to research and build equipment for the in-game game 'OXM Universe'. 'OXMU' concluded in OXM's 100th issue.
- We Heart Xbox
- In this section, new games which are not yet shown to the mainstream public or user-modified hardware such as consoles or faceplates are shown here.
- Message Center
- Besides showing readers' mail, the OXM crew reveals their 'Top 5' things on their mind at the moment. The 'Top 5' tradition was broke in Issue #85 of July, 2008, when the staff instead answered to the question "What's your worst habit - and do you even want to break it?"
- Xbox Next
- In this section, upcoming games are highlighted and previewed.
- Features
- In this section, games may get prolonged previews, or OXM may have an exclusive 6-10 page review for a certain game. There may also be special featured content like Issue #77's 'HDTV Buyer's Guide'.
- Xbox Now
- This is the section where every Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox Live Arcade game, and downloadable content is reviewed.
- Xbox 365
- This section contains Xbox business articles, gaming news, 'Hard Stuff' (a section that reviews contraptions related to an Xbox console), '2,000 Pennies or Less' (a section that shows the best cheap games that can be bought for either Xbox or Xbox 360), the codes of the month, 'Forza Showroom' (a brief column that shows some of the best Forza Motorsport 2 car designs that people have made), a section for competing against the OXM crew in games like Lost Planet, Halo 3, Gears of War, and more, 'Media Ho!' (a section that talks about movies, books, and other items related to games), 'Live Space' (a section which shows gamers' Xbox Live gamertags, 'Ask Dr. Gamer' (a section in which gamers ask Health doctor, Freddy Chen, gaming related information), and 'The (insert something here) of Xbox' (a section that talks about business and other things of the Xbox gaming world. The column 'The Business of Xbox' was written by Geoff Keighley through the May 2007 issue, but the column is currently written, on a less frequent basis, by Chris Morris. As of Issue #71, the end page rotates columnists, with guests including game creators Tim Schafer, Denis Dyack, and Randy Pitchford.
Staff
US Edition
- Editor in chief: Francesca Reyes
- Executive Editor: Paul Curthoys
- Managing Editor: Corey Cohen
- Senior Editor: Ryan McCaffrey
- Art Director: Juliann Brown
UK Edition
- Editor in chief: Jon Hicks
- Staff Writer: Gillen McAllister
- Online Editor: Ryan King
- Community Editor: Ben Talbot
Review system
Until issue #52, the Official Xbox Magazine (OXM) used a 100-point system, scoring games out of 10.0 with .1 increments. The games that received at least a 9.0 were given an Editor's Choice award. Beginning with issue #53 (Holiday 2005), the US OXM switched to a 20-point scoring system, scoring games out of 10.0 with increments of 0.5. The UK edition though switched to a 10-point scoring system, scoring games out of 10. This ratings scale is detailed on the introduction page to every issue's review section. A score of 10.0 is not considered perfect, but is called "Classic" and is considered to be "one of those rare and very best of games." OXM's review scale does include a score of 11.0 (termed "Mecha Godzilla's Choice") as "Perfect," however the description for that score is "The unicorn. Will never happen. Never."
Eleven games have received a 10/10 score from OXM, but only BioShock has been given this score by both the US and UK editions. The seven 10/10 games from the US edition include: Fight Night Round 3, Gears of War, Fallout 3 , Halo 3, Call of Duty 4 and Mass Effect. Whereas the three, 10/10 games from the UK edition include: Grand Theft Auto IV, PGR4 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
OXM also has begun reviewing Xbox Live Downloadable Content (DLC), on a three-point scale: Buy, Fanboys Only, and Deny. The exception is The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles expansion pack in issue 70, which, due to the game's size, being "much more than a simple map pack" was reviewed on the normal 20-point scale, receiving an 8.5 (Great). (The game was later released as an expansion on DVD.)
Bonus materials
Some disks have come with additional material for Xbox games. Early issues' demo disk included a costume expansion to Dead or Alive 3. Some material seen only available for download on Xbox Live was included on demo disks.
- Issue #54 contained the free exclusive beta for Final Fantasy XI Online.
- Issue #67 contained the Wizard's Tower and Thieves Den quests for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
- Issue #69 contained GRAW Chapter 2 for GRAW.
- Issue #73 contained an exclusive demo for the Japanese RPG Eternal Sonata.
- Issue #74 contained an exclusive demo for Beautiful Katamari.
- Issue #77 contained a special demo for Guitar Hero III. (The demo is also found in copies of Tony Hawk's Proving Ground.)
- Issue #80 contained the Harmonix Track Pack 01: 3 exclusive songs for the popular video game Rock Band.
- Issue #82 contained the theme song to Halo for Guitar Hero III.
- Issue #90 contained a disk, that contained demos for: 1942: Joint Strike ; Alone In The Dark ; Bionic Commando Rearmed ; Braid ; Fable 2 Pub Games ; Fracture ; Galaga Legions ; NHL 2K9 ; SBK 08 ; Soulcalibur IV ; Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09. In addition, it included the following videos: Prince of Persia walkthrough ; a video showcase of Street Fighter IV and Warriors Orochi 2.
- Issue #46 (UK edition) contained the NXE update for the Xbox 360 dashboard.
- Issue #54 (UK edition) contained an exclusive Left 4 Dead 2 Premium Xbox 360 NXE Theme, also, Left 4 Dead 2 Xbox 360 Gamerpics.
Podcasts
- Audio Podcast
KOXM is the weekly Official Xbox Magazine podcast, hosted by Ryan McCaffrey. Dan Amrich used to be a McCaffrey's co-host, but he recently left the magazine and podcast to work at Activision/Blizzard. The audio podcast features a recap in the week's past events and game releases, two trivia contests (Name That Xbox Sound Effect and Stick it to the Dan (formerly Dan's Useless Trivia)) for a prize (usually a tee shirt or Xbox Live Arcade game), and developer interviews. The show is produced by Andy Bauman.
- Video Podcast
The OXM Video Podcast is updated much less frequently, with gaps over a month or more. The video podcast slowed until it was picked up again in the form of Inside Xbox, a short Xbox Live program that OXM became a part of in 2008. The OXM Report on Inside Xbox features similar video content to the original video podcast, but with more timely information on games such as Gears of War 2 and Mirror's Edge.
Awards
On October 12, 2007, the UK edition was awarded 'Best Xbox Magazine' at the Games Media Awards. [3]
Criticism
Mal Sales Practice
With the purchase of a brand new Xbox 360, consumers receive a post card that offers a "free issue". If they fill out the card, the company will send them a free issue, as well as a bill demanding that the user pay. If the customer does not respond to the bill, a collection agency, "North Shore Agency", will send collection letters to them. The agency will often accuse the consumer of owing them money.
OXM's record with BBB is unsatisfactory as they have received several complaints in regards to their billing and sales practices. [4]
NSA's records with BBB is also unsatisfactory and is known for sending consumers collection statements regarding money owed to companies that consumers are unaware of. Both businesses have received an F as their BBB grade. [5]
References
- ^ "Future US: Official Xbox Magazine". http://futureus.com/products/index.php?magazine=offic_xbox_mag. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
- ^ "Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine: Print". http://www.future-advertising.co.uk/ads/portfolio/print.jsp?brand=33&print=44. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
- ^ "Media stars hailed at the GMAs". MCV. 10 2007. http://www.mcvuk.com/news/28567/Media-stars-hailed-at-GMAs. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ BBB on OXM
- ^ BBB on NSA
External links
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