Xbox 360 and Wii continue Future's next-generation games ABC growth

15/02/07 - In today's ABC magazine circulation figures, both Future's Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine and Official Nintendo Magazine reported double-digit year-on-year growth - an encouraging start for the titles focused on the new Xbox 360 and Wii consoles.

Having launched in October 2005, Xbox 360: The Official Magazine posts its second ABC result, continuing its growth, with an increase of 31% period-on-period to 56,057 copies, whilst the independent Xbox World 360 grew 22% year-on-year to 23,202 copies.

Official Nintendo Magazine recorded 21% period-on-period growth to 42,960; the title continues to go from strength to strength under Future's direction, since taking it over last January from previous incumbent Emap.

Multi-format magazine Edge, posted a 5% year-on-year increase to 35,145 copies, its highest ABC since launching in 1994. Sales of the internationally respected title, which sells over 20% of its copies overseas, continue to rise as Edge covers the biggest news on the next-generation consoles.

As expected, sales of PlayStation-focused titles continued to decrease across the board, with all of Future's PlayStation titles registering a decline. Throughout the ABC period, gamers were awaiting concrete release dates and information for the PlayStation 3, which now launches in the UK in March. Future has already launched its PlayStation 3-focused, Official PlayStation Magazine - with early sales data showing strong interest for the title.

Robert Price is Future's UK Managing Director:

"Today's ABCs highlight just some of the evidence to suggest a long-term future for print-based games content. The magazines focusing on Wii and Xbox 360 are showing steady growth in a challenging market, and our multi-format titles continue to perform well.

"The overall decline across PlayStation titles is fully in line with our expectations and can be attributed to gamers waiting for the PlayStation 3 following the initial launch delay. In the meantime, visitor figures to our websites www.cvg.co.uk and www.gamesradar.com are increasing, Future's portfolio of games media continues to evolve and our content is now reaching more gamers than ever before."

ENDS

About Future

Future plc is an international special-interest media group with offices in the UK, US and France. Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today it creates over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events, with strong portfolios in the technology, games, music, automotive and sports sectors. Over 130 international editions of Future's magazines are published under licence by publishing partners in 30 other countries around the world. Future employs around 1,450 people worldwide. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR).

For more information

Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, 01225 822517