After officially announcing the magazine was calling it quits, Nintendo Power subscribers will open this month's issues of the magazine to this message from Nintendo of America's President and COO, Reggie Fils-Aime, and Nintendo Power's Editor in Chief, Chris Slate:
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After a remarkable 24 years, Nintendo Power magazine is coming to a close: the December 2012 issue will be Nintendo Power's last. As one of the first dedicated video game magazines to launch in North America, and one of the longest-running, Nintendo Power will always have a place in history, as well as a place in our hearts. It's truly the end of an era.
Meanwhile, Nintendo is on the cusp of a new era in gaming. We're busily preparing for the launch of the Wii U console, and we're excited to have more channels than ever before to communicate with you about what Nintendo is up to: on our official Web sites; through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube; via our Nintendo Direct boradcasts; and through your Nintendo systems (did you get my latest SwapNote?).
Thank you for being a Nintendo Power subscriber, and thank you for your loyalty as a Nintendo fan.
Reggie Fils-Aime
President and COO,
Nintendo of America Inc.
As a lifelong Nintendo fan, and a charter subscriber to this magazine, it was a dream come true when I got the opportunity to helm Nintendo Power. For the past five years, it's been an honor and a pleasure to bring you the best, most in-depth Nintendo coverage around. We'll do our best to make the last few issues of Nintendo Power something special for you.
Thank you for being part of this wonderful ride.
Chris Slate
Editor in Chief
Nintendo Power magazine
Future US, Inc.
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According to "insider sources" that spoke with Ars Technica, Nintendo has chosen to not renew its licensing agreement with the company behind the magazine, Future Publishing. And despite a monthly readership of 475,000, Nintendo seems content to let the magazine slip away, not yet revealing any interest to take back control of the magazine.
Nintendo claimed that Future was "difficult to work with," and have no intention in working with Future...in the future. "Nintendo Power" had been run in house prior to its licensing with Future in 2007.
Originally launched in 1988 as the evolution of a bi-monthly newsletter, "Nintendo Power" was one of, if not the most established, and longest lasting video game magazines once consoles hit big in the home market. It covered every Nintendo milestone shortly after the arrival of the NES, the SNES, up to the the Wii, and everything in between.
