Steel Media launches UK's first independent mobile games magazine
Pocket Gamer jumps from web into print in association with T-Mobile
18th June 2007 - London, UK: Leading mobile consumer technology
publisher Steel Media today launched the first edition of The Pocket
Gamer Guide to Mobile Games, a print version of its popular mobile games
website, Pocket Gamer.co.uk. The Pocket Gamer Guide to Mobile Games is
the first independent mobile games magazine available in the UK with
print and digital editions* running to a combined circulation of over
100,000 copies.
The bi-monthly 36 page A5 publication by the team behind the UK’s
leading mobile games website Pocket Gamer.co.uk is being created in
association with UK operator T-Mobile. It will be distributed for free
to T-Mobile’s customers via their Clubzone program, on-line sales, and
through a selection of trial stores.
Designed to educate mobile consumers and celebrate the quality in mobile
games, the magazine will include news and previews of the hottest
upcoming titles together with reviews of the best new games available to
buy now. Features on gaming issues, such as why mobile games are in need
of a Mario-style mascot, will run alongside lab tests of the best gaming
phones and step-by-step guides for downloading games.
Crucially, there will also be short codes alongside every game available
at date of going to press, so the title will drive sales of all featured
games to a new audience.
The timing of the magazine could hardly be better, as Paul Goode, Vice
President of Product Development at industry analysts M:Metrics
explains. “Whilst over 30% of UK mobile subscribers (13.5 million
people) have played a game on their handset in an average month, just
over 4% are purchasing a game in a month. Hence, the appetite for mobile
gaming is clearly present, what consumers need is a greater awareness of
what else is on offer.”
“Our ongoing mission with Pocket Gamer has always been to help grow the
market beyond that 5% mark and to provide the industry with a quality
barometer ensuring that new mobile gamers have a good first experience,”
explained Chris James, managing director of Steel Media. “The new Pocket
Gamer magazine is the latest extension of the work we started with the
website and certainly won’t be the last!”
“T-Mobile is very excited to be working with Pocket Gamer to drive
higher customer awareness of mobile games,” said Neil Holroyd, UK Games
Manager for T-Mobile. “Mobile games are a key part of our content
strategy and we’re always delighted to be involved with innovative
initiatives that will contribute towards our continued growth.”
The initiative has already gained considerable support from the mobile
games publishers, with leading names such as Gameloft, EA Mobile, Living
Mobile, Player X and I-play advertising in the first issue.
David Gosen, CEO of I-play, commented: “As the first independent guide
to mobile gaming in the UK, I-play is pleased to support this latest
initiative from Pocket Gamer, which has quickly established itself as
the voice of authority on the standard of mobile games.”
Steel Media will initially publish the magazine on a bi-monthly basis,
with a second issue planned for mid-August. The company is currently in
talks with several operator partners to develop additional distribution
channels and increase the circulation of The Pocket Gamer Guide to
Mobile Games over the coming months.
*In addition to print, the magazine will also be available to download
in digital format as interactive PDF, which will be promoted in a
variety of locations online, including T-Mobile’s own site and on the
PocketGamer.co.uk website at www.Pocket Gamer.co.uk/magazine.asp
