IDG's Gamestar Magazine Targets Adult Gamers

Posted on June 4, 2004

IDG Entertainment (IDGE), a publisher of editorial products covering the entertainment market, has announced the premiere issue of Gamestar magazine. Gamestar focuses on the adult gamer and his entertainment interests. Currently on newsstands nationwide and in Best Buy stores, the Gamestar premiere issue and partner CD were launched at the 2004 Electronic Entertainment Expo.

IDGE identifies the adult games as one who has dedicated endless hours to gaming as a teenager and through his college years. However, the adult gamer now has grown-up responsibilities, from employment to family obligations to keeping an active social life. This gamer has entered the "age of hassles" in which he simply doesn't have the time he once had to devote to playing games, watching movies, surfing the Internet, and seeking out the best entertainment. Gamestar says it will be able to cover this area and that efforts by men's magazines to cover adult gaming have been too shallow. Gaming industry veteran Wataru Maruyama will be in charge of editorial for Gamestar.

Gamestar includes both a magazine and companion CD focused on the must-buy games, movies and music. Gamestar will also cover tech toys, peripherals, and home entertainment products. For example, the premiere issue includes an exclusive Half-life 2 preview along with features on must have tech toys and how to set up the ultimate home theater. Gamestar is organized by genres like sports, strategy, and tactics, and the CD contains interactive previews and demos.

"It is clear that our investment in reader research helped us create an unmatched editorial product. We are thrilled with both advertiser and reader response as they validate the new adult gamer audience and Gamestar's approach," said IDGE Senior Vice President Francis Mao.

IDG Entertainment (IDGE)offers a portfolio of gaming and entertainment editorial products, including: GamePro magazine, Star Wars Insider magazine, the IDGE Online Network, Code Vault magazine, Best Buy game guides, and the IDG Entertainment Industry White Paper. The portfolio reaches over 8 million consumers monthly. IDG Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of IDG, a technology media, research, and event company.