Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the differences found between online journals or magazines and hard copy examples. The paper explores the similarities and differences between two magazine publications - "Hyper" (an Australian video gaming print magazine) and the "Imagine Games Network" (IGN.COM, an American video gaming online magazine). The paper concludes that both styles of magazine have their strengths and weaknesses - both are popular and both are profitable.

From the Paper:

"As of the September issue 2003, Hyper has been in monthly print for exactly a decade in Australia. This makes it the longest running video gaming magazine in the country - obviously due to its success. Hyper's publisher Next Media publishing sells approximately two million magazines a month and is ranked in the top ten of Australia's media publishers (Fish: 2003, Hyper Issue 112 pg6). Looking through the various articles, pictures and even advertisements in the magazine one can gather that it is targeted at a predominantly male readership. Subtle sexual innuendos aimed at teenage boys are scattered throughout each issue. The wording of each article is written in a casual fashion and never talks down to the reader. The magazine never takes itself too seriously either, perhaps in a knowing attempt to allow their readership to escape their hectic lives for a while (much like videogames do). An example of this can be found in Issue 97, which shows a preview for a game by the name of 'Conker's Bad Fur Day'. A picture showcasing the visuals of the game depicts a squirrel character standing over a female dinosaur character with a giant bone in his hand. The caption states: 'oooh, looks like she's about to get boned dude!' (Shea: 2003, Hyper Issue 97 pg68). Although it is clear the screenshot itself is not intended sexually, the journalists of the magazine know their audience and are fully willing to use some sexual humour to spark up some interest."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Graeme Turner, et al, "Fame Games", Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000
• Ross Harley, "New Media Technologies", Southwood Press, Australia, 1993
• Fish, Eliot. (2001), Hyper , Issue number 97, November, Next Publishing, NSW
• Fish, Eliot. (2003), Hyper, Issue number 112, February, Next Publishing, NSW
• Schneider, Peer {Head Editor}. (26/08/03), "IGN.COM", (Imagine Games Network), Available: http://www.ign.com, (26/08/03)

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