Gamernode: News - 1UP still has an extra life?

1UP still has an extra life?

Category: Industry, Posted: 03/08/2008 at 03:22AM CST by Andy Groen, Content Contributor

1up mushroom I have enjoyed the fine work of the 1UP Network for years now, as I'm sure many of you do. Which is why I was so saddened by the news that Ziff Davis Media, Parent Corporation of 1UP.com has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Simon Cox, VP of Content for the 1UP Network has written in his blog though that there may not be any reason at all to despair. He says that Ziff Davis has actually been quite a profitable company for years now, but the profits weren't enough to keep up with even payments on their 500 million to 1 billion dollar debt.

He says that once the company emerges back from bankruptcy in July that it will actually be a very solid and reliable company, with debt that will be of a reasonable and manageable size.

The best consolation in all of this is that 1up.com is actually one of the most profitable parts of Ziff Davis Media. This means that even if Ziff doesn't make it through this hard time, that someone, somewhere will want to snag 1UP and add them to their roster. They're all good people over there, and it's good to know that in all likelihood, they'll land on their collective feet as a business.

I guess a 1UP is an extra life in the real world too.

[1UP]

Posted by Chrispy on 03/08/2008 at 04:17AM

To clarify, Ziff hasn't filed for bankruptcy. Just bankruptcy PROTECTION. Major difference.

Posted by KindGalaxy on 03/08/2008 at 05:22AM

Good to hear because, and I mean no offense to GamerNode, the Ziff Davis group has some major players in the Gaming Enthusiast world. Namely Dan Hsu, Shawn Elliot and James Mielke and Shane Bettenhausen, some of the most vocal in the Gaming Enthusiast media who aren't afraid to call a spade a spade when it comes to the industry.
With Kane & Lynch advertisements across Gamespot, Turning Point advertisements across IGN, it is really not who you work for but who you are, we are starting to get some real celebrities in the enthusiast media similar to how movies have Ebert, people who you know, who you think of, before the company they work for.
1UP and the magazines EGM and GFW are only good because of who they have working for them. If Dan Hsu resigned tomorrow, or Jeff Green, or Garnett Lee then they would obviously lose some of their shine, this is indicative of others like Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis of Gamespot fame who continue to have a strong following months after their leaving of Gamespot, to the point where their game-related podcast hit number 1 on iTunes.
So, the real question is; when will Brendon, Eddie, Jambo and the rest get together and make a GamerNode podcast with Skype call ins so I can derail shit?

Posted by ninjalegend on 03/08/2008 at 07:47AM

Good question, kindgalaxy! When will gamernode rip off, uh I mean borrow, the concept of a videogame related podcast (that you can also tune into through the internet).

Posted by Mercer on 03/08/2008 at 10:57AM

That's very good to hear! Along with Gamernode it's one of the other gaming sites I really enjoy

Posted by Viewtiful on 03/08/2008 at 01:51PM

@ Chrispy

You said, "To clarify, Ziff hasn't filed for bankruptcy. Just bankruptcy PROTECTION. Major difference."

I said, "Ziff Davis Media, Parent Corporation of 1UP.com, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy." That's what Chapter 11 bankruptcy is.