JUNE 2008
Derwent Howard achieves true interactivity between magazine and online publishing with rebuilt gameplayer
Derwent Howard has enhanced its integrated offering to Australian video gaming enthusiasts with the relaunch of gameplayer.com.au, significantly upgrading the site with more local content, Web 2.0 functionality and true integration with the multimedia publisher’s suite of gaming print titles.
The gameplayer site, which was originally established as an information portal on games, consoles and upcoming titles, has been rebuilt from the ground up to form the basis of Derwent Howard’s expanding network of online gaming titles. It features volumes of rolling content on video gaming, produced by the site’s dedicated editorial team of three – editor in chief Chris Stead, news editor James Cottee and deputy editor Adam Mathew – as well as freelance content and user contributions.
“The new site’s blog-style design is deceptive in its simplicity. We know our users visit several times a day and are avid syndicators of content; we’ve rebuilt the site to make it as easy as possible for visitors to find the information they’re after quickly,” said Derwent Howard’s online division director, Ben Mansill.
“We’ve established an editorial team to rival that of any of the world’s major gaming sites, whose approach to the production and updating of content on gameplayer is similar to that of any mainstream online news portal. What makes the new site particularly appealing to our audience however, is its inbuilt web 2.0 functionality.”
Gameplayer’s redevelopment has enhanced its position as a gamer’s community hub, incorporating social networking capabilities alongside incentives for the uploading of original reviews, cheats and tips, personal posts for seeking out like-minded gamers, and opportunities for multi-player matchups. It is also the common online environment for Derwent Howard’s gaming titles including Official PlayStation Magazine, Australian 360 and Ultimate Nintendo, hosting regular forums with the magazine teams.
“The sum of these interactive features is a site that keeps gamers engaged and entices them back – often on an hour-by-hour basis. This is a potentially lucrative audience of men and women of all ages who have money to spend and the willingness to spend it on technology and entertainment, but – given the time and concentration they dedicate to their interests – are otherwise elusive.
“One element of the new Gameplayer we’re really excited about is the marriage between our print titles and the online community. Our magazine editorial teams are constantly engaging with readers on the gameplayer forums, allowing enthusiasts to devour the mags and then jump online and discuss what they’ve read with the people who wrote it.
“This is what publishers and advertisers dream about: a dedicated audience that religiously buys the magazines and interacts with the writers and other readers in an equally relevant online environment. Given today’s international gaming industry makes more money than Hollywood and Bollywood combined, this network presents a very powerful proposition,” Ben said.
Derwent Howard’s new Gameplayer site is now live, with the Publisher in final discussions to significantly expand its network of online gaming titles.
For more information on Gameplayer and Derwent Howard’s suite of print and online video gaming titles, contact Ben Mansill on ben@derwenthoward.com.au .
Media information:
Luke Starr, Starr Public Relations
02 9264 4411 / 0419 446 879 / luke@starrpr.com.au
Derwent Howard is a multimedia publisher of special interest and contract titles and has twice been included in the BRW Fast 100 list of Australia’s fastest growing companies. For information on Derwent Howard’s print and digital titles, visit www.derwenthoward.com.au .
FEBRUARY 2008
Derwent Howard has appointed an editor to its Australian 360 and Ultimate Nintendo magazines, promoting current Official PlayStation Magazine deputy editor, Luke Reilly.
FEBRUARY 2008
Vanessa Morgan signs on to head up Official Playstation Magazine.
FEBRUARY 2008
Derwent Howard is thrilled to announce the launch of www.gadgetzone.com.au
FEBRUARY 5th 2008
Gadget zone, Derwent Howard's first major project of the year launched today, with plans to expand the brand in the coming months.
IT Journo artile reprinted with permission of Media Connect.
OCTOBER 24th 2007
Atomic legend and founding father of the publication, editor-in-chief Ben Mansill has decided to finally let go of his baby and move over to Derwent Howard, where he will step up to the role of associate publisher. IT Journo artile reprinted with permission of Media Connect.
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