games™ sets the gears in motionwith stunning embossed cover
Imagine's multiformat flagship partners with Microsoft in a keyinitiative to promote the biggest Xbox 360 game of the year
For Immediate Release
On Thursday 5 October, issue 49 of games goes on sale across the UK and the world with a specially embossed cover treatment for Microsoft's stunning new shoot-'em-up, Gears Of War. As part of the marketing campaign for the title, Microsoft granted games exclusive access to Epic's US operational base in Raleigh, North Carolina for a lengthy hands-on playtest of the game, as well as extensive talk time with its creators.
Unveiled by Peter Moore to a shell-shocked press earlier this year, Gears Of War is a genre-defining shoot-'em-up that is hotly tipped as one of the major contenders for the coveted Christmas number one spot. "Gears Of War represents the emergence of a thrilling new franchise for Xbox 360 and is the must-have game of 2006," commented Stephen McGill - UK Head of Xbox & Game Marketing. Gears Of War is a key release for Microsoft, and one that is expected to help shift a vast quantity of Xbox 360s, especially with the delay of the launch of the PlayStation3 in Europe.
"Gears Of War has set the benchmark for next-gen games," said Paul Morgan, Editor of games. "We're thrilled to get behind-the-scenes hands-on time and interview the vast talent behind it. With many key games slipping to a first-quarter 2007 release as a result of the PS3 delay in Europe, Gears Of War is all the more important for Microsoft in its preemptive battle with Sony. As such, games is pleased to be working so closely with the company to help spearhead the launch of such a key game."
games is highly respected equally within the games industry and gaming fraternity thanks to its accessibility to its readership and the way it refuses to kowtow to PR pressure, gimmicks or fads. Imagine Publishing, owner of games, is the second largest videogames magazine publisher in the UK.
Name: games 49
Price: £4.00
Pagination: 180 pages
On sale: 5 October 2006
Print run: 50,000
Imagine Publishing
01202 586200
www.imagine-publishing.co.uk
Paul Morgan
Editor