Eurogamer homepage |
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| URL | eurogamer.net |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | Yes |
| Type of site | Video game journalism |
| Owner | Eurogamer Network Rupert Loman Nick Loman |
| Launched | September 1999 |
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on video games. Eurogamer Network claims that the site has the largest readership of any independent videogames website in Europe (over 5.2 million unique users in November 2010, including traffic from the local European sites), and was the first such site to subject its traffic to independent verification by the ABC Electronic system.[1]
Most of the reviews (which are scored on a 10 point scale) are of European or PAL releases of the games, but given the time disparity between Japanese or North American/NTSC releases, some reviews are done using the latter. The version used, however, is always indicated. Other features include news, screenshot galleries, reader reviews, reader scores, previews, articles, release dates and a forum. In February 2006, the company launched Eurogamer TV,[2] which provides trailers and other video content directly in the browser using Adobe Flash technology.
Eurogamer's editor is Tom Bramwell, who took over the role from Kristan Reed in January 2008. Bramwell is the longest-serving member of the editorial staff, having worked on the publication since early 2000. Contributors include PC Gamer, GamesTM, Edge, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun writers such as Oliver Welsh, Kieron Gillen, Jim Rossignol, John Walker, Simon Parkin, Alec Meer, Richard Leadbetter, Dan Whitehead, and David McCarthy, as well as former GamesIndustry.biz editor Rob Fahey.
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Eurogamer relaunched their website on October 23, 2011, with the new format placing emphasis on popular and new articles as opposed to the previous type-based organization.[3]
Eurogamer TV (EGTV) is an extension of the Eurogamer launched in February 2006 brand offering a new streaming video service ranging from trailers for upcoming games to event reports. The first custom content to appear on the streaming service was video coverage of E3 2006. Since all the videos are played in the web browser using Flash Player. EGTV is edited and presented by Johnny Minkley. Eurogamer TV programming is also available to view through Xbox LIVE Arcade, and some videos are even available to watch through Playstation Home's theatre. In January 2007 the company's corporate site was updated to indicate the forthcoming launch of Eurogamers, which subsequently launched in April 2007. Billed as "The social network for gamers", Eurogamers vastly increased the number of community features within the Eurogamer network of websites, as well as offering registered users a fully customisable homepage. In September 2007 the company announced integration with Xbox Live, allowing users to view their in-game information via the Eurogamers website. In November 2009, Eurogamer is launched its own digital download service called Get Games.
At the Leipzig Games Convention in August 2006, Eurogamer launched their first non-English language site of the franchise - Eurogamer Germany. This was followed up with Eurogamer France in June 2007, Eurogamer Portugal in May 2008, Eurogamer Netherlands in August 2008, Eurogamer Spain and Eurogamer Italy in Oct 2008, Eurogamer Romania in March 2009, Eurogamer Czech in May 2009, Eurogamer Denmark in June 2009, Eurogamer Belgium in August 2009 and Eurogamer Sweden in April 2010. In April 2011, Eurogamer Netherlands and Eurogamer Belgium merged and formed Eurogamer Benelux. Only language sensitive video and audio content remain separate for both sites.
GamesIndustry.biz is a website for news and information about the global video games industry, covering all aspects of the interactive entertainment value chain from development to retail. In May 2008 the site launched the GamesIndustry.biz network for industry professionals.
The first Eurogamer Expo took place as part of the London Games Festival 2008 and was attended by 4,000 people. In 2009 the show took place in both London and Leeds at the end of October. In 2011 the show took place in London and had an attendance of 34,500. Since 2010 the Eurogamer Expo has been held at Earls Court and the 2012 event is due to be held at Earls Court as well between September 27-30.[4]
| Dates | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Old Truman Brewery, London | 4,000 |
| 2009 | Old Billingsgate Market & Leeds | 12,000 |
| 1 - 3 Oct 2010 | Earls Court (Brompton Hall) | 20,000 |
| 22 - 25 Sep 2011 | Earls Court (Earls Court One) | 34,500 |
| 27 - 30 Sep 2012 | Earls Court | TBA |
Eurogamer founder Rupert Loman was interviewed in February 2007 by MCV magazine.[5] He was also featured in the Sunday Telegraph on August 19, 2007, speaking about the experience he has gained from choosing to run Eurogamer instead of attending university.
At the Games Media Awards Eurogamer.net won the categories of Best Games Website – News, and Best Games Website – Reviews & Features in 2007. The two awards were consolidated in 2008 and the site went on to win the new award for Best Games Website in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 making it the only website to win the award in its history. Deputy Editor Tom Bramwell won Best Writer in Specialist Digital Media and Eurogamer TV editor Johnny Minkley won Best Games-Dedicated Broadcast on Mainstream TV or Radio in 2007.[6]
Rupert Loman was winner of Entrepreneur of the Year 2003 at the Sussex Business Awards and The Observer's "One to Watch" in Media 2007. He was also selected as one of 30 "Young Guns" by Growing Business magazine in October 2008.