Future gaming mag to be read via PS3

Specialist magazine publisher Future has teamed up with technology giant Sony to develop the first weekly digital magazine which can be accessed via gaming consoles.

The magazine will be available across the PlayStation network, allowing gamers to download interactive content directly onto PlayStation 3 consoles.

News of the development came as Future issued a trading update ahead of publication of full results in November, saying it expected its full-year results to be in line with market expectations.

The move follows the Future's June launch in North America of Qore, a monthly digital programme of articles, interviews, forums and downloadable demos and previews via the Playstation network.

MediaGuardian.co.uk understands that the UK weekly offering will be significantly different to its North American counterpart, despite being similar in principle.

It is believed that the UK edition, which will launch early next year, will feel more like an interactive magazine than the interactive TV programme adopted in North America.

Few other details of the new magazine have been made public because the product is still in the early stages of development. However, a roll-out across Europe is expected.

Robert Price, the Future UK chief executive, said: "We are very excited to further strengthen our relationship with Sony, working together on this groundbreaking product.

"As the publisher of official magazines and digital content for Sony PlayStation in the US and UK, we are creating powerful integrated media solutions for readers and advertisers across different platforms, in print and online."

Future's trading update comes ahead of the publication of full results on November 26. The company said it expected results for the year to the end of September to be in line with market expectations.

"While trading conditions remain tough, Future continues to prove resilient, reflecting the group's focus on areas of special interest," stated the trading update.

In the six months to the end of March 2008, Future announced that its revenue growth was flat compared with the same period the previous month and that advertising revenue had grown 4% from the previous year.

The Observer
21st September