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Official Xbox Magazine is a monthly video game magazine which started in
November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released for E3 2001,
with another preview issue for November 2001. The magazine is
bundled with a disc that includes game demos, preview videos and trailers, and other content, such as
game or Xbox updates and free gamerpics. The discs also provide the
software for the Xbox 360
for backward compatibility of original Xbox games for those without broadband and Xbox Live access.
The magazine features previews, reviews, and cheat
codes for Xbox games. On November 22, 2005 the Xbox 360 was released, and
the magazine began including Xbox 360 game reviews, previews, and
Xbox 360-compatible games on the demo disc. The Official Xbox
Magazine reviews every Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade game, as
well as downloadable content and expansion packs.
Content
On the
Disc
- Every issue contains a demo disc with both Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade games. Each demo
contains unlockable content like gamer pics and hidden demos. There
was, at one point, a sim-like game called 'OXM Universe'. Gamers
play the games on disc and view the videos on the disc to gain
points, but only 800 points are needed for the unlockable content.
The points have another use in which gamers use their points to
research and build equipment for the in-game game 'OXM Universe'.
'OXMU' concluded in OXM's 100th issue.
- We Heart Xbox
- In this section, new games which are not yet shown to the
mainstream public or user-modified hardware such as consoles or
faceplates are shown here.
- Message Center
- Besides showing readers' mail, the OXM crew reveals their 'Top
5' things on their mind at the moment. The 'Top 5' tradition was
broke in Issue #85 of July, 2008, when the staff instead answered
to the question "What's your worst habit - and do you even want to
break it?"
- Xbox Next
- In this section, upcoming games are highlighted and
previewed.
- Features
- In this section, games may get prolonged previews, or OXM may
have an exclusive 6-10 page review for a certain game. There may
also be special featured content like Issue #77's 'HDTV Buyer's Guide'.
- Xbox Now
- This is the section where every Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox Live
Arcade game, and downloadable content is
reviewed.
- Xbox 365
- This section contains Xbox business articles, gaming news,
'Hard Stuff' (a section that reviews contraptions related to an
Xbox console), '2,000 Pennies or Less' (a section that shows the
best cheap games that can be bought for either Xbox or Xbox 360),
the codes of the month, 'Forza Showroom' (a brief column that shows
some of the best Forza Motorsport 2 car designs
that people have made), a section for competing against the OXM
crew in games like Lost Planet, Halo 3, Gears of War, and more, 'Media Ho!'
(a section that talks about movies, books, and other items related
to games), 'Live Space' (a section which shows gamers' Xbox Live
gamertags, 'Ask Dr. Gamer' (a section in which gamers ask Health
doctor, Freddy Chen, gaming related information), and 'The (insert
something here) of Xbox' (a section that talks about business and
other things of the Xbox gaming world. The column 'The Business of
Xbox' was written by Geoff Keighley through the May 2007
issue, but the column is currently written, on a less frequent
basis, by Chris
Morris. As of Issue #71, the end page rotates columnists, with
guests including game creators Tim Schafer, Denis Dyack, and Randy Pitchford.
Staff
US Edition
- Editor in
chief: Francesca Reyes
- Managing Editor: Corey Cohen
- Senior Editor: Ryan McCaffrey
- Features Editor: Kevin W Smith
UK Edition
- Editor in
chief: Jon Hicks
- Staff Writer: Gillen McAllister
- Online Editor: Ryan King
- Community Editor: Ben Talbot
Review
system
Until issue #52, the Official Xbox Magazine (OXM) used
a 100-point system, scoring games out of 10.0 with .1 increments.
The games that received at least a 9.0 were given an Editor's
Choice award. Beginning with issue #53 (Holiday 2005), the US
OXM switched to a 20-point scoring system, scoring games
out of 10.0 with increments of 0.5. The UK edition though switched
to a 10-point scoring system, scoring games out of 10. This ratings
scale is detailed on the introduction page to every issue's review
section. A score of 10.0 is not considered perfect, but is called
"Classic" and is considered to be "one of those rare and very best
of games." OXM's review scale does include a score of 11.0
(termed "Mecha Godzilla's Choice") as "Perfect," however the
description for that score is "The unicorn. Will never happen.
Never."
Eleven games have received a 10/10 score from OXM, but only BioShock has been given this
score by both the US and UK editions. The seven 10/10 games from
the US edition include: Fight Night Round 3, Gears of War,
Fallout 3 ,
Halo 3, Call of Duty 4 and Mass Effect.
Whereas the three, 10/10 games from the UK edition include: Grand Theft
Auto IV, PGR4, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
OXM also has begun reviewing Xbox Live Downloadable Content (DLC), on a
three-point scale: Buy, Fanboys Only, and Deny. The exception is
The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles expansion pack in
issue 70, which, due to the game's size, being "much more than a
simple map pack" was reviewed on the normal 20-point scale,
receiving an 8.5 (Great). (The game was later released as an
expansion on DVD.)
Bonus
materials
Some disks have come with additional material for Xbox games.
Early issues' demo disk included a costume expansion to Dead or Alive
3. Some material seen only available for download on Xbox Live was included on
demo disks.
Podcasts
- Audio Podcast
KOXM is the weekly Official Xbox Magazine podcast, hosted by Ryan
McCaffrey. Dan Amrich used to be a McCaffrey's co-host, but he
recently left the magazine and podcast to work at
Activision/Blizzard. The audio podcast features a recap in the
week's past events and game releases, two trivia contests (Name
That Xbox Sound Effect and Stick it to the Dan
(formerly Dan's Useless Trivia)) for a prize (usually a tee
shirt or Xbox Live Arcade game), and developer
interviews. The show is produced by Andy Bauman.
- Video Podcast
The OXM Video Podcast is
updated much less frequently, with gaps over a month or more. The
video podcast slowed until it was picked up again in the form of
Inside Xbox, a short Xbox Live program that OXM became a part of in
2008. The OXM Report on Inside Xbox features similar video content
to the original video podcast, but with more timely information on
games such as Gears of War 2 and Mirror's
Edge.
Awards
On October 12, 2007, the UK edition was awarded 'Best Xbox
Magazine' at the Games Media Awards. [3]
Criticism
Mal Sales
Practice
With the purchase of a brand new Xbox 360, consumers receive a
post card that offers a "free issue". If they fill out the card,
the company will send them a free issue, as well as a bill
demanding that the user pay. If the customer does not respond to
the bill, a collection agency, "North Shore Agency", will send
collection letters to them. The agency will often accuse the
consumer of owing them money.
OXM's record with BBB is unsatisfactory as they have received
several complaints in regards to their billing and sales practices.
[4]
NSA's records with BBB is also unsatisfactory and is known for
sending consumers collection statements regarding money owed to
companies that consumers are unaware of. Both businesses have
received an F as their BBB grade. [5]
References
External
links
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