NewTech Magazine To Embrace Casual Gamers

Electronic Gaming Business, March 10, 2004

While hard-core techies and gamers gravitate to the $5.99 glossy specialty mags, many, many more casual tech lovers grab up those tabloid-sized newsprint monthlies like ComputerUser at grocery stores and drug outlets. Dallas-based Vejur Media recently launched its own NewTech Magazine ( http://www.newtechmag.com ) in this space and is promising at least four pages of games editorial per issue. With an initial circulation of 60,000 in the Dallas area, the magazine is in its second issue and plans to expand coverage to Houston and Austin within a year and then outside of Texas.

Publisher Alan Beckner says NewTech Magazine will devote at least four of its 24 to 32 pages per issue to gaming. His broad audience of upscale readers is the kind of audience that is interested in gaming but doesn't really know where to go to find what they want and the questions to ask. While hard core gamers will likely be part of his audience, Beckner thinks that the many titles that are pitched to women and casual gamers will find an eager readership here. "Most tech purchases now are done by women, so we're reaching to that demographic. That's where we think the growth is going to be," he says.

NewTech Magazine requires about a month's lead time for feature stories, but there may be room for last minute items. LAN parties and game case modding have already occupied feature slots. Beckner has two experienced reviewers, Lore Sjoberg and Joel Strauch, willing to cover all platforms in previews and review, although they do not have debug consoles for pre-release code. All assets and pitches should go directly to Beckner, who will make assignments accordingly. The magazine will be covering gadgetry and tech generally. The Web site, NewTechMag.com will soon have a sample issue available.

Contact: Alan Beckner, 972/291-9297, abeckner@newtechmag.com

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