Prima Games is shutting down.

[dyne]

Honestly surprised they lasted this long. I remember the days of trying to sell these damned things with a game at Software Etc (with a 20% discount on the guide if bought together) so the transaction would count as an MST.

https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/9/18...-shutting-down

Prima Games is closing its doors, according to reports from Publishers Lunch and EGM. The gaming strategy guide imprint of publishing company DK will end operations by spring 2019.

An internal memo from DK CEO Ian Hudson announced the impending shutdown, as reported by Publishers Weekly.

“During a year-long extensive review, many new ways were explored to diversify Prima Games publishing,” Hudson wrote. “However, the dynamics for us of this fast-paced landscape have continued to prove difficult.

“This enormously dedicated team has made every effort to turn the business around, but challenging market conditions have unfortunately worked against them.”

Prima Games, which has offices in Roseville, California, as well as New York City and Indianapolis, will begin the closure starting this month. EGM reports that Roseville will close first sometime in the coming weeks. New York will follow, while the Indianapolis location is expected to be the last to go, likely in March 2019.

Founders Rusel DeMaria and Ben Dominitz opened Prima Games in 1990, launching books containing “games secrets” for systems like the Game Boy and Sega Genesis. Prima expanded to focus on strategies for specific games over the years, gaining authority among players for their wide array of guides. Prima Games went on to combine with BradyGames in 2015 after publishers Penguin and Random House merged in 2013.

[InuYashaCrusade]

I can't remember the last time I bought a game guide. I used to buy them for the latest Pokemon games just for collection purposes but I never ever used them.

[shinobipopcorn]

EGM is still a thing?

I almost always bought the guide when I bought certain game genres. I like having a physical guide in front of me instead of having to get my phone out and look things up. So it's a little sad to see them go.

I recently got some of my old guides out to look something up, and I found my old Majora's Mask guide from Versus Books. Despite being thorough, it's literally a third the size of the Prima Majora's Mask 3D book. I didn't think they added that much for the new version...

[emailking]

Inevitable I guess but also a bummer. I like having the guides just to look at, even if I don't really use them the way I did a decade ago.

[Firefoxie]

This makes me really sad even though I'm not the least bit surprised. I wonder if Brady Game guides will do the same after awhile too.

[martinsol70]

I'm surprised they've lasted this long. These days if i get stuck Ii just head to youtube and find a channel that does everything these books use to do. R,i.P

[Hatter]

I bought Xenoblade Chronicles X guide second hand recently (as it's OOP) and to my surprise in still had a unredeemed digital code. Redeeming this code gave me a better idea while they have failed. While it's true that competing with YouTube was definitely very rough, their business model for trying to move into the digital side was destined to fail even if YouTube playthroughs weren't nearly as big a thing. After all, their print books always sold despite IGN, Gamefaqs etc.having free online printable guides since the late 90s.

Where as most ebook providers either give you a drm protected copy (Kindle etc) or a drm-free one (O'Reilly, Manning, Apress etc) you can transfer to devices, their's is a non downloadable, online only copy with a proprietary interface. Essentially renting the title until they shut down. It's was never even clearly mentioned on the store page. Only the FAQ sheds some light on it's online only status. Talk about duping and pissing off your consumer base.

I'll miss their cool print guides but I don't feel bad for them shutting down when they pulled crap like this for the last four years.

[Dustin44]

Originally Posted by shinobipopcorn

EGM is still a thing?

I almost always bought the guide when I bought certain game genres. I like having a physical guide in front of me instead of having to get my phone out and look things up. So it's a little sad to see them go.

I recently got some of my old guides out to look something up, and I found my old Majora's Mask guide from Versus Books. Despite being thorough, it's literally a third the size of the Prima Majora's Mask 3D book. I didn't think they added that much for the new version...

Yeah, I didn't know EGM was still around. I used to read that all the time back around 1998-2003. I also used to buy those game guides all the time back then, but I haven't bought one in a loooooong time.

[Canada]

I can't believe Prima just shut down now the last time I bought their guides for games was Goldeneye 64 (1997) and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998).