Does Rob Smith's New Role as EIC Ruin XBOX Magazine ?

[ATB]

If you're a subscriber to OXM you've probably seen that Rob Smith is now the new Editor in Chief...I don't think this bodes well for my favorite gaming magazine.

If you're unaware, RS was the EIC at PCGamer and the consistent complaint in recent years is that that rag has turned into a juvenile crapfest with consistent and inappropriate references to porn and sex fantasises and the wholly uninteresting lives of the PCG staff.

Do you think the same thing is going to happen at OXM?

In his first 'Meet the Staff' blurb, RS mentions the playboy mansion...looks like the downward spiral has already begun...and not even a demo disk is enough for me to keep my sub if OXM turns into PCG.

XBN...I might be looking for you soon

[Gedd]

I haven't read PC Gamer in a long time (pretty much since Smith's influence had its way).  Who's the new EIC over there?

[kathode]

I always felt that Rob was the bulwark against the juvenilism that that Vederman guy was spreading over there.  I swear "TheVede's" reviews read like rants from 12-year olds.  "OMG DUNGEON SIEGE R0XX0RS!"

I've never met Rob in person but our PR rep tells me he's a really cool guy.  I'd wait and see if I were you.

[Driver]

They sure seem to have a pretty high turnover at that place.  I don't know this new editor, but I hope he does kind of up the intellectual content a little - you would think Xbox attracted older gamers, and I wish they would cater more to them.

[ericb]

That is the main reason I read XBN (Xbox Nation) though they have gone a little downhill lately too.  They used to have long intelligent multipage reviews, excellent interviews and the mag used to have more words than pictures.  I only read OXM now because I got the free sub to it and for the pretty screenshots...not a lot of content in it anymore.

[phormio]

I was not happy when I saw that little announcement. I really got to dislike PCLamer towards the end of my subscription a couple of years ago, which I cancelled. How much of that he was directly responsible for, I don't know.

Wait-n-see I guess.

[happydog]

At this point I think I am dropping all my mag subs. (except the free ones ) I can't stand reading any of them anymore. How I long for NEXT Gen.

[AgtFox]

I'm interested to see the new OXM.  Honestly I don't subscribe to the magazine other than for the demo disc, which can be very hit or miss in itself.  I've always viewed OXM as a child-like magazine from its inception.  It did get a bit better after Dan Egger left and the pot shots at the PS2 seemed to tone down a bit.  I am at least interested to see where it goes with Rob Smith in charge.

[Tebunker]

I've allways been of the thought that OXM only has one way to go, and that's up...

[Simon]

I thought that Rob Smith did a terrible job with PC Gamer so I'm not optimistic for OXM. I get XBN and even with their recent redesign and shorter reviews I still like it a lot.