Ziff Davis CEO Considering Shuttering Print Version Of EGM

Yesterday, publisher Ziff Davis announced it will cease distribution of the paper version of PC Magazine -- but is its lone remaining print magazine, veteran game periodical Electronic Gaming Monthly, far behind? According to a New York Times report, Ziff Davis CEO Jason Young is not confident in its continued publication, either. Buried in the story about PC Magazine is this snippet, which doesn't feature any direct quotes from Young: "Mr. Young said the company was considering taking its other print magazine, the video-game publication Electronic Gaming Monthly, into an online-only format, but would not make a decision before the end of the year." Young blamed PC Magazine's online move on projected losses for the magazine in 2009 due to "fewer advertisements and rising costs", according to the NYT story. It is unclear how PC Magazine and EGM ad sales and costs compare. He also pointed out that online had been the publication's primary focus for some time now -- a situation which is potentially mirrored with EGM. Ziff Davis currently operates games-oriented site 1UP.com, which already functions as EGM online. The magazine and website share content and writers freely. In fact, they some time ago moved to end the distinction between online and print editors, moving its editorial staff into a more generalized pool that works on both properties. EGM also currently maintains a branded presence on the 1UP website. Earlier this year, Ziff Davis closed its last remaining non-EGM print games magazine, when it moved Games For Windows Magazine online, as a section on its 1UP website.