The most dramatic rise was among titles dedicated to the Sony consoles, with the category posting an overall rise in the number of magazines sold of 45.4 per cent. Sales of Nintendo-related titles soared by 58.2 per cent.
Future, for which gaming is a core sector, saw its Official Xbox 360 and Nintendo magazines show double-digit growth. The company attributes part of its success to its multiplatform strategy, with its GamesRadar net-work of sites, which cross-promote its gaming titles, proving popular.
Traditional computer magazines aimed at PC users were down, reflecting a flat market for the hardware.
Verdict While it is hard for publishers to maintain growth once the initial flush of passion for a new console subsides, gaming manufacturers are always lining up the next big thing, and there is no reason to believe the sector won't continue to capitalise.
COMPUTING
Title Publisher Total ABC Period-on- Year-on-
period year
% change % change
Computeractive Incisive Media 200,307 n/a -7.3
PC Pro Dennis Publishing 83,204 n/a -8.0
Computer Shopper Dennis Publishing 68,171 n/a -18.3
Official Xbox 360
Magazine Future 66,894 1.9 19.3
Personal Computer
World Dennis Publishing 60,081 n/a -16.6
Official Nintendo
Magazine Future 58,754 22.6 36.8
Games Master Future 51,389 7.7 -4.7
PlayStation
Official Future 46,018 n/a n/a
PC Gamer Future 38,654 -7.1 -11.4
Edge Future 31,304 4.3 -10.9
Source: Audit Bureau of Circulations, July-December 2007.
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