gaming

Official Xbox Magazine shut down due to decline in video game retail

[ad_1]

End of an era (Pic: Official Xbox Magazine)

The Official Xbox Magazine has sadly been shut down, with Future Publishing executives taking pay cuts to keep lay-offs to a minimum.

Although Microsoft insists that the upcoming Xbox Series X will still be released this year, the Official Xbox Magazine won’t be around to cover it.

Future Publishing has confirmed that it shut down the long-running magazine last week, with its last few staff all being let go.

Initially reported on by Eurogamer, Future cited that the decline in video game retail as the reason behind the decision, as it had impacted the magazine’s sales figures.

Official Xbox Magazine is one of six magazines that Future has closed, though it is apparently the only gaming related one among them.

A statement from Future added that, in order to keep lay-offs to a minimum, its executives have taken pay cuts.

‘Like
many organisations right now, we find ourselves being forced into making
difficult decisions,’ it reads, obviously referring to the current coronavirus
pandemic.

‘We
have a duty of care to all our staff during this time and our focus is on
protecting the business for them and for our customers. We have introduced a
raft of measures to keep the numbers of lay-offs to an absolute minimum,
including significant pay cuts for our Executive Team and Board.’

The PlayStation magazine is still up and running at the moment (Pic: Official PlayStation Magazine)

The Official Xbox Magazine first began publication in November 2001, alongside the launch of the original Xbox. Its closure follows that of Future’s Official Nintendo Magazine, which ended in 2014.

At the time of writing, the Official PlayStation Magazine is still running, but with the coronavirus dramatically affecting businesses and entire industries, there’s probably concerns surrounding it too.

Microsoft has yet to comment on the magazine’s closure.

Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, and follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Coronavirus UK: Xbox Live downloads speeds unchanged for now says Microsoft

MORE: Xbox Series X complete specs revealed, officially compared to a fridge

MORE: 5 great non-gaming Xbox One apps to use during lockdown – Reader’s Feature



[ad_2]

READ SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.  Learn more