Official Nintendo Magazine To Close it's Doors

Nintendo UK and Future have today confirmed the closure of Official Nintendo Magazine (ONM) in the UK. The last issue of Official Nintendo Magazine, which launched in the UK in 2002, will be in stores on 14th October, 2014 (Issue 114).

Throughout its tenure, Official Nintendo Magazine has continued to bring fans, news, interviews, previews and reviews on both new and retro Nintendo hardware and software.

Nintendo will continue to speak directly to fans via Nintendo Direct, our social media and online channels and public events.

Nintendo UK and Future will continue to work closely on future projects across Gamesradar.com, CVG, Edge, Kotaku UK and Gamesmaster.

The Official Nintendo Magazine has been published by Future since 2006, prior to this it was published by EMAP.

For Official Nintendo Magazine subscription inquiries, please contact the Future Customer Services team on 0844 848 2852 (UK) or +44 1604 251045 (International).

The above statement probably leaves you with some questions. The Q&A below hopes to shed some light on the situation.

General

Why have you decided to close Official Nintendo Magazine?

- Nintendo is constantly evaluating and evolving the ways in which it speaks to its fans, with this in mind, Nintendo UK has decided to focus on alternative channels including Nintendo Direct, social media and online channels and public events

- Future has decided to enhance its online offering around a core of existing sites with the recently launched Kotaku UK providing a great platform for our wealth of Nintendo experts from ONM and the wider Future network. Future looks forward to expanding its Nintendo coverage on Gamesradar as we unveil exciting plans to expand the site's scope and depth. Gamesradar recently confirmed the impending integration of totalfilm.com and sfx.com, adding a wealth of expertise in movies, film, sci-fi and comics. Gamesradar's existing gaming coverage attracts 7 million unique users and 100 million page views a month. Future plans to showcase the award-winning work of its global network of games journalist from brands including OPM, OXM, Edge, Gamesmaster and PC Gamer on a newly enhanced Gamesradar platform, with some exciting announcements due in the near-future and beyond.

When is the magazine closing?

- Issue 114 will be the last issue of Official Nintendo Magazine in the UK and will be in store on 14th October 2014

Will you be doing anything special in the last issue?

- Details of the last issue of Official Nintendo Magazine are yet to be announced and we have no comment on this at the current time

What does this mean for the website?

- The website will cease to be live as of 11th November 2014, after this the site will be redirected to Nintendo.co.uk

Why didn't you keep the website open and just close the Magazine?

- Nintendo UK already has a number of official online channels including Nintendo.co.uk, the Official Nintendo Online Store, madeforplay.co.uk and various social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

What does this mean for the supporting social media channels?

- All Official Nintendo Magazine social media channels will cease to be operational on 11 November

Whose decision was it to close ONM, Nintendo's or Future?

- It was a joint decision, Nintendo has decided to direct efforts toward other communication channels to communicate with fans, and Future is focusing on a core of existing sites with the recently launched Kotaku UK providing a great platform for our wealth of Nintendo experts from ONM and the wider Future network. Combined they will continue to deliver the Nintendo expertise our readers have come to expect in exciting new ways

Was the decision linked to the declining popularity of Nintendo products?

- No, Nintendo has decided to direct efforts toward other communication channels to communicate with fans, and Future is focusing on a core of existing sites with the recently launched Kotaku UK providing a great platform for our wealth of Nintendo experts from ONM and the wider Future network. Combined they will continue to deliver the Nintendo expertise our readers have come to expect in exciting new ways

Do you plan to launch an alternative magazine to ONM?

- We have nothing to announce at the current time

Magazine Market

Is the closure linked to the redundancies recently announced by Future?

- No

Are you also planning to close the print editions of Official PlayStation or Official Xbox Magazines?

- No, we have nothing to announce in relation to Official PlayStation Magazine or Official Xbox Magazine at this time

Will Official Nintendo Magazines in other markets also be closed? (Nintendo)

- No, this announcement does not impact on any other markets

ONM Staff

Will there be redundancies off the back of the closure of ONM?

- No, the closure of Official Nintendo Magazine has not led to any redundancies, the team have been redeployed within Future

What will happen to the ONM staff?

- The Official Nintendo Magazine team has all been redeployed within Future

Subscribers

What does this mean for current subscribers, do they get a refund?

- Current subscribers will be informed via post of the closure of Official Nintendo Magazine. Their subscription will automatically transfer over to GamesMaster effective immediately. Subscribers have the option to cancel the subscription and receive a refund for any remaining issues if they contact Future by Friday 17th October.

- Those readers who already have a GamesMaster subscription will have their current subscription to GamesMaster extended unless they opt to contact Future by Friday 17th October to cancel it.

- Contact details for Future are as follows: 0844 848 2852 (UK) or +44 1604 251045 (International).

What is the refund process?

- Current subscribers will be informed via post of the closure of Official Nintendo Magazine. Their subscription will automatically transfer over to GamesMaster effective immediately. Subscribers have the option to cancel the subscription and receive a refund for any remaining issues if they contact Future by Friday 17th October.

- Those readers who already have a GamesMaster subscription will have their current subscription to GamesMaster extended unless they opt to contact Future by Friday 17th October to cancel it

- Contact details for Future are as follows: 0844 848 2852 (UK) or +44 1604 251045 (International).

I bought this as a gift for someone, what does this mean for them?

- If you bought the gift for someone else then you will receive the letter mentioned above. You would then have to decide whether you wanted to cancel the subscription or let it automatically transfer to GamesMaster.cript>

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