Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine

Infobox Magazine
title = PlayStation 2 Official Magazine - UK
publisher = Future Publishing UK
language = English
category = Gaming
editor = Mike Goldsmith
Sam Richards
Richard Keith
Stephen Pierce
Tim Clark
George Walter (acting ed)
Nick Ellis
editor_title = Editor
frequency = 13 issues a year
firstdate = November 2000
country = United Kingdom

"PlayStation 2 Official Magazine – UK" was launched in November 2000 as the sequel publication to the Official UK PlayStation Magazine, originally priced £4.99, to coincide with the launch of the PlayStation 2 console. Each month the magazine came with a cover mounted playable demo DVD. It ran for 100 issues, with the last going on sale in the month of June, 2008. The magazine was commonly abbreviated ‘OPS2’. It had 4 design changes in its lifetime: 1 to 25, 26 to 41, 42 to 89 & finally 90 to 100.

The first game to be reviewed was Tekken Tag Tournament, which received 8/10.

The last game to be reviewed was SBK08 Superbike World Championship, which earned 7/10.

ales & Success

The magazine would go on to become the UK's Best Selling PlayStation 2 magazine, peaking with 197,348 readers in 2002.

Target Demographic

In the beginning OPS2 was designed for the early adopter - encompassing hardcore gamers & previous readers crossing over from the original Official UK PlayStation Magazine. This ran from issue 1 (November 2000) to 25 (November 2002). Starting from issue 26, the magazine was set the task of attracting a more mass market, mainstream audience. This included a full redesign. [http://www.futureplc.com/future/news/tradenews_story.jsp?type=news&ref=1554&year=2002&month=10] From issue 34, OPS2 changed again - however this time retaining its recent redesign. In a drastic attempt to attract a more young male demographic - similar to that of the independent PlayStation magazines of the 90's - the publication decided to review readers girlfriends & their mothers; increase the babe count, even to the point of including bare breasts; & hardcore pornography. It received a mixed response from readers, & failed to considerably increase the readership. In turn, the magazine featured another redesign from issue 42. OPS2 would retain this middle ground for the next 3 years, neither employing an overly male nor hardcore adult gamer stance. In the final year, as the PlayStation 2 entered a more family friendly stage, OPS2 changed once more; this time for its final time. Starting from issue 90 the magazine would focus on new PS2 owners & the younger gamer.

Regulars

* Spy - News & the latest announcements
* Monitor - Previews, as voted for by the readers
* Features
* Reviews
* Next Month
* Letters
* Replay - looking at previously reviewed titles, review A to Z, cheats
* Comedown - DVD & Music reviews
* On the Disc

Awards

In 2004 the publication won the prestigious Industry Dinner Magazine of the Year Award.

In 2004 the publication won MCV's Magazine Team of the Year Award.

10/10

OPS2 gave a total of 18 games full marks. They were (not in chronological order)...

* Black
* Burnout 3
* Burnout Revenge
* Final Fantasy XII
* Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack
*
*
* (PSP)
*
* Okami
* Pro Evolution Soccer 3
* Pro Evolution Soccer 4
* Pro Evolution Soccer 5
* Pro Evolution Soccer 6
* Resident Evil 4
*
* Soul Calibur 2
* (PSP)
* Timesplitters 2

Controversies

*OPS2 #34: Enter the Matrix, which features on its cover, is awarded 8/10. The game is reviewed using unfinished code.

*OPS2 #35: , which features on its cover, is awarded 8/10. AOD is largely regarded as the worst in the series by the press, receiving a Metacritic average of 52. The reviewer spends most of the review criticising the game before struggling to justify the score. The score is later dropped to a 6.

*OPS2 # 39: Rate Your Mate. In an attempt to appeal to the popularity of lad culture with the then recent launches of popular lads magazines Zoo Weekly & Nuts (magazine), OPS2 asked readers to send in photos of their girlfriends for review. The first women to be rated receives 7/10. It lasts one issue.

*OPS2 #34 to OPS2 #39: Rhythm Nation. In another failed attempt to appeal to the youth demographic, the publication begins to review Porn DVDs. None of them are any good.

*OPS2 #67: is awarded 8/10. The game is regarded as substandard to average elsewhere, with a Metacritic average of 47. [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/50centbulletproof?q=50%20cent%20bulletproof]

References