Unofficial PlayStation 2 magazine Play has had a makeover and widened its coverage with new correspondents from the US and Japan. The redesigned issue, out 15 May, unveils several new editorial sections and introduces for the first time in its history, an American and Japanese correspondent. Former Play editor Graeme Nicholson has been signed up to cover the industry in the US and Ollie Barder is on board in Japan.
The news section, edited by Chris Morgan, has also had an overhaul. The pages now feature shorter stories to split up the longer ones and pie charts have been introduced to illustrate figures.
The previews have been split into “Alpha” and “Beta” – the “Beta” previews will offer the first glimpse of the games with interviews and photos of the products, while the “Alpha” ones will feature tests on upcoming games.
Among the new additions is a new section called “What They Say/ What We Say” where the magazine “de-codes” press releases, “Take Note”, a section full of brief news items on specific games and a Q&A which will allow readers to quiz game developers.
The changes follow the appointment of Play’s new editor, Steve Takle, who has had six years experience in the videogames industry.
Takle previously worked on Station and Total PlayStation magazines. Prior to joining Play, he worked for an interactive TV channel, involved in developing TV games such as Bingo.
Play is published by Paragon Publishing which owns a series of specialist magazines including PowerStation, P2, CUBE, Practical Internet, DVD Review and Hotdog.
By Ruth Addicott
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