1. What Gaming News Site or Magazine operates with a profit? I keep hearing how IGN, GameSpot and GameDaily are losing money left and right, that other divisions keep them afloat.
2) The arguments put forth for why print is still viable:
Exclusive content
- This is not mutually exclusive to print. That's the only reason print had an edge, but with companies more and more inviting online site staff to participate in exclusive events, and "leaking" stuff online, I feel this benefit is m00t because both share it equally, perhaps online will get more favortisim eventually.
Attractive and easy to read formatting
- This isn't always true. First of all, trying increasing the font size on a magazine article. Can't do it? Oh, look, I can go to the font size option on IE and make the fonts bigger. People with bad vision can read off a monitor more easily with the increase font size. Yes, reading off a screen is bad, but in a few years, technology will continue to reduce the strain put on your eyes to the point that it is barely more damaging to read than a book with a light on in the room. As for the attractive part, I've seen websites be far more visually appealing than magaiznes, and print has limitations, online really doesn't (you can only make something look so good with a printer).
Portability
- Be honest. How many of you bring your PSP or DS into the can when you take a dump? Heck, I spend most of my time on games I review for DS in the men's room. With Blackberry and portable devices, you can DOWNLOAD your stuff and read it in the bathroom. And you don't have to worry about looking like an idiot carrying it out because you can stick your device back in your pocket.
Easy to flip through a large source of information
- This is relative. The Encyclopedia, for example, is huge. It is easier to browse a site encyclopedia than the books. Plus, there is something called SEARCH. You can quick skip to text on a page, or search for a term, and you're there. Wikipedia is a good example of how quick and intuitive browsing large amounts of info can be. Sure, turning a page may be slightly faster than clicking a link and a page loads, but not by much on most connections nowadays. Plus, I CAN COPY AND PASTE information, or save it, or bookmark it to show to other people much more quickly.
The space limit also ensures more concise writing, often leading to higher quality writing that gets to the point
- I always see it as the other way aroung. I feel limited space cheapens reviews. I don't want to read a paragraph summary, I would like intricate details before I'm going to buy something based on your word. This is is just a matter of taste, but I mean, most online venues have content managers who impose limits on articles...it's actually no different than print, it's just you do have physically more space for an article online than a magazine, but is that really an advantage of print?
Reading a mag isn't as hard on the eyes as reading off a screen
- You can read in the dark much easier, though...heh.
No pop-up or pop-under noisy animated ads
- Depends on the site. I mean, I hate turning a page and seeing an ad in a magazine. At least I can disable ads online. If I want to disable ads in a mag, I have to tear out pages.
When I turn the page, it works every time. Not so every time I click a link!
- Theoretically, it should always work on a website. But hey, let's counter this. If you have a misprint in a magazine, you're screwed and the subject of jokes for a month. Online, you can update that stuff in seconds. I think online wins out in that regard.
The people who defend print are those who work in the industry. Industry's that cater to older people, 45 and older, do have a market for 20-30 years more, at least. Markets for the male demographic of 18-45, though...that's wishful thinking. There probably will always be print magazines, but I think the majority of the industry will move online and focus predominantly on that aspect within a matter of years.