PlayStation Official Magazine Is Gone; Play Returns

Back in ye olden days, there was this thing before the internet called print media. It was this thing where you cut down a tree, did magic things to create paper (another ye olde thing), and you’d print images and text onto that paper for people to view. It was a very popular thing for humans to do. They did it so much they’d put naked people in these things and view them for pleasure. Now all the touching of genitals is done by robots, and it is just not the same anymore.

Back when it was normal to print things on paper, before the polar bears cried themselves to sleep, you’d find gaming magazines (and other magazines). One such magazine in the UK was PlayStation Official Magazine, or OPM oddly enough, a PlayStation-focused sister to PC Gamer‘s print-based other-half. Of course, now a lot of the news, editorial, and review-based articles are put on the internet. Of course you’re aware of this, while reading an internet-based news article on the Official PlayStation Magazine‘s demise.

I quite enjoyed the magazine back in 2011 when I was picking up a few copies. In fact, that’s where I played the demo for Madden NFL 11 (I think that’s the Lara Croft “comes of Age” cover?), and I ended up picking up the full game later that month. I still have the 2003 demo disc with Silent Hill 2 as one of the “also playable” demos. Also I used to pick up Edge for a while. To bring this back to the point, I think I still have a copy of Play sitting around somewhere. While we’re saying goodbye to your friend and mine, PlayStation Official Magazine, we’re all welcoming back Play. Until we all forget after a few issues and move on.

This news comes following the closure of the Official Xbox Magazine last year, and has perfect timing too. The Official Nintendo Magazine closed about the same time Nintendo tried to take every YouTube’s pension fund. The announcement of OPM‘s retirement and Play‘s return to shelves came Friday, when Editor Ian Dean made the announcement via Future’s online publication GamesRadar. With that came the reveal of the next cover, with cover star and best Lombax that isn’t grey, Ratchet and Clank ahead of their next adventure. With the announcement, Dean goes a few details on what to expect from the new PlayStation-focused magazine.

Under the few names it ran by, Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine, Official UK PlayStation Magazine, and more recently, PlayStation Official Magazine, the publication started back in November of 1995. The final issue, of course, is this month’s curtain call. Play also started back in 1995, in October of that year, and ran until 2016. The first issue of this revamped version of Play is available tomorrow, May the 4th in the UK. If you are outside the UK, Magazine Direct is offering five issues for £5-$5 in both print and digital forms.