Friday 18th February 2011

Imagine’s games portfolio maintains superior position in magazine ABCs

Imagine Publishing’s Play and X360, the UK’s bestselling independent Xbox 360 magazine, have maintained their position as independent single-format market leaders according to new recent published ABC

Play, which has now sold over 10 million issues, beat Future’s rival publication, PSM3, to the number one spot, selling an average of 21,735 per issue. X360 meanwhile defeated rival Xbox World 360, also from Future, to lead the independent market with sales of 24,090 per issue.

“We are delighted with the results,” commented Rick Porter, Editor-In-Chief of X360, games™, Retro Gamer and 360. “We believe we offer readers an unrivalled commitment to quality and, while we were always confident of the results, it’s pleasing to see that the market has responded to that.”

“We make great magazines at Imagine,” added Aaron Asadi, Editor-In-Chief of Play. “It’s a challenging market but we always feel that we have the resources, support and relationships, both with clients and readers, to keep our place as the preferred independent titles.”

Imagine Publishing also announced that, with 360, its second Xbox 360 magazine, reaching sales of 11,183, it now boasts a reach of 35,000 to an Xbox-dedicated audience. “It shows how powerful we are in the market,” said Porter. “It’s a very competitive industry and we feel more passionately than ever about the advantage we can offer clients and the quality we can offer our readers.”

Launched in 1995 Play is the UK’s longest-running PlayStation-dedicated magazine. First released on the eve of the first PlayStation’s arrival, Play’s lifespan has run parallel to the success of Sony’s groundbreaking console series. The first magazine to debut Lara Croft, the first magazine to feature a cover to GTA III as well as the first for many, many other videogames milestones, Play has a history unlike any other.

Imagine Publishing
01202 586200
www.imagine-publishing.co.uk