The Official Xbox Magazine was an essential publication during the sixth console generation. At a time when Microsoft was making its first foray into the gaming industry, the magazine was instrumental in getting the word out on essential franchises like Halo and Project Gotham Racing.
According to Eurogamer, OXM folded last week, with the magazine's last few remaining staff let go. OXM is one of six magazines closed at media company Future, although it's the only gaming magazine among them.
The closure of OXM, while disappointing, comes just as Microsoft is about to release the highly anticipated Xbox Series X.
In a statement, Future stated that the decline in video game retail had impacted the sales figures of its magazines, and insisted its executives had taken pay cuts to keep the numbers of lay-offs to an absolute minimum.
"Like many organisations right now, we find ourselves being forced into making difficult decisions," reads the statement. "We have a duty of care to all our staff during this time and our focus is on protecting the business for them and for our customers. We have introduced a raft of measures to keep the numbers of lay-offs to an absolute minimum, including significant pay cuts for our Executive Team and Board. Whilst the decline in retail footfall impacts our magazine business, we are well placed with significant digital audiences and diversified revenues to continue delivering on our customers' changing needs at this time."
Did you buy OXM in the early 2000s? Feel free to share your recollections of the magazine in the comments section.