1st February 2007

Imagine partners with Sega for four special Virtua Fighter 5 covers

In a major deal, Imagine today announces that it had joined forces with Sega to produce a special edition of Next3

The February issue of Next3, the UK’s only PlayStation 3-dedicated monthly, will feature a Virtua Fighter 5 exclusive preview along with a split run featuring four different covers, each with a different fighter from the game. The game’s most famous fighters: Akira, Pai, Vanessa and Kane, have been selected for the covers.

Inside the magazine there is an exclusive preview of the game, featuring never-before-seen screenshots and a hands-on verdict revealing new game modes and other exclusive information that fans of the series will love.

Grant Gie, UK Senior Product Manager Sega Europe said, “For the launch of Virtua Fighter 5 Sega were looking for premium publishing ideas to appeal to VF fans while educating new audiences. Next3 is the perfect partner to do this and with Marketing, Editorial and PR working closely together the four cover VF5 collectors edition was born. Sega is delighted to be working with Next3 and Imagine publishing to promote one of the most anticipated PS3 launch titles.” Nick Jones, Editor in Chief of Imagine’s PlayStation titles said, “We’re extremely happy to have struck a deal like this with Sega. The opportunity to cover such an illustrious series as Virtua Fighter is always going to improve sales of a magazine, and to do it in such a way demonstrates our commitment to both magazine craft and to the very best quality PlayStation 3 titles.”

Imagine Publishing is the UK’s fastest growing consumer specialist publisher. Formed in May 2005, it now publishes 20 magazines and 15 websites in the videogames, computing and photography markets. An Imagine magazine is purchased every ten seconds.