the Escapist (magazine)
{{short description|American video game magazine}}
{{About|the online video game magazine|the role-playing game website|The Escapist (website)}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox website
| name = The Escapist
| screenshot = The Escapist Magazine Issue 1.jpg
| screenshot_size = 300px
| caption = Cover of first issue
| url = {{URL|www.escapistmagazine.com}}
| commercial =
| type = Video game website
| language = English
| owner = {{unbulleted list|Themis Media (2005–2018)|Enthusiast Gaming (2018–2022)|Gamurs Group (2022–present)}}
| editors =
| launch_date = {{start date and age|2005|07|12}}
}}
The Escapist (formerly known as Escapist Magazine) is an American video game website and online magazine. First published as a weekly online magazine by Themis Media on July 12, 2005,{{cite web |author=Themis Group |date=July 12, 2005 |title=Themis Group Launches The Escapist |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=10085 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181704/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=10085 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=2006-11-13 |publisher=gamesindustry.biz}} The Escapist eventually pivoted to a traditional web journalism format.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/07/the_escapist_escapes_from_pseu.php |title=The Escapist Escapes From Pseudo-Print Chains |publisher=GameSetWatch/CMP |date=July 13, 2006 |access-date=2006-11-13 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018205350/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/07/the_escapist_escapes_from_pseu.php |archive-date=October 18, 2006 }} In 2018, Escapist Magazine launched Volume Two, a rehauled website in conjunction with its purchase by Enthusiast Gaming.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/defy-media-escapist-acquired-enthusiast-gaming-1202886978/|title=Defy Media Sells The Escapist Gaming Site to Canada's Enthusiast Gaming|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=July 26, 2018|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=July 26, 2018}} The site name reverted to The Escapist in April 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/introducing-the-escapist-an-ad-free-viewing-experience-and-other-perks/ |title=Introducing The Esacpist +, an Ad-free Viewing Experience and Other Perks |last=Calandra |first=Nick |work=The Escapist |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=April 22, 2020 }} Gamurs Group acquired the site in September 2022. The company's entire video production team resigned to form Second Wind in November 2023 after editor-in-chief Nick Calandra was fired.
History
=2005–2011: Founding and popularity=
The Escapist was conceived as a PDF-format magazine by Themis Media, whose president Alexander Macris had previously found success with its sister site WarCry Network. Editor-in-chief Julianne Greer had not been involved in the gaming industry before The Escapist, and had a background in marketing and new media.
The premier issue featured pieces from well-known gaming-community authors including Jerry Holkins, Kieron Gillen, and John Scott Tynes. Following issues included work by Tom Chick, Allen Varney, Jim Rossignol and other top writers from in and outside the game industry, including a four-part piece by leading game designer Warren Spector. According to Themis, by late 2006 the website had 150,000 monthly readers.{{cite web
|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/gamings-top-50-journalists
|title=Gaming's Top 50 Journalists
|publisher=Next Generation Magazine
|date=October 17, 2006
|access-date=2006-11-13
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720102333/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/gamings-top-50-journalists
|archive-date=July 20, 2011
}} The website MMORPG.com noted that the webzine had become the "flagship brand" for Themis, which runs other websites and ventures related to the gaming industry, with the reputation of "a widely read and highly respected form of game journalism" and "paying writers top dollar".{{cite web|url=http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm?loadFeature=669&bhcp=1 |title=Support company thrives as the MMO giant grows |author=Dana Massey |publisher=MMORPG.com |date=May 19, 2006 |access-date=2006-11-13 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020080643/http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm?loadFeature=669&bhcp=1 |archive-date=October 20, 2007 }}
On July 9, 2007, the site relaunched with a completely new design, which also saw the end of the weekly PDF issues and a shift in layout to one more similar to other websites.{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/editors_note/786-Editor-s-Note-Pens-Paper-and-Pretzels |title=Editor's Note: Pens, Paper and Pretzels |author=Julianne Greer |publisher=The Escapist |date=July 9, 2006 |access-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002092904/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/editors_note/786-Editor-s-Note-Pens-Paper-and-Pretzels |archive-date=October 2, 2007 }} Although the weekly topic and publish schedule was retained, new regular content additions included more game reviews, editorial articles, conference coverage, and a relaunch of [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/shoot_club Shoot Club] by Tom Chick.{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235021/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/shoot_club |date=2016-03-03 }}{{primary source inline|date=November 2023}}
The most notable addition to the content lineup was Zero Punctuation, a weekly animated review series that led to a four-fold increase in web traffic.{{cite web|url=http://newteevee.com/2008/01/24/zero-punctuation-equals-millions-of-views |title=Zero Punctuation Equals Millions of Views |access-date=2008-02-07 |work=NewTeeVee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205092615/http://newteevee.com/2008/01/24/zero-punctuation-equals-millions-of-views/ |archive-date=2008-02-05 |date=2008-01-24 }} Within the next four years, The Escapist contracted several creators including LoadingReadyRun, Miracle of Sound, and Bob "MovieBob" Chipman, as well as helping launch Extra Credits as a rebrand of its creators' videos.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}
In 2010, The Escapist launched a membership service called the Publisher's Club which for $20 a year removed advertisements from the site, conferred forum benefits and entry into special contests.The Publisher's Club, retrieved 28-02-2014 {{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/subscription/ |title=The Escapist : Publisher's Club |access-date=2014-02-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129002723/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/subscription/ |archive-date=2016-11-29 }}{{primary source inline|date=November 2023}}
=2011–2018: Dispute and decline=
{{primary sources section|date=November 2023}}
Around the end of July 2011, there was a dispute between The Escapist and James Portnow, co-creator of Extra Credits.{{Cite web|url=http://www.falsegravity.com/my-experience-with-james-portnow-and-why-i-left-the-escapist/|title=My experience with James Portnow, and why I left The Escapist – False Gravity|date=2018-06-13|access-date=2019-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613171659/http://www.falsegravity.com/my-experience-with-james-portnow-and-why-i-left-the-escapist/|archive-date=2018-06-13}} After not being paid for months, the Extra Credits team needed to pay for surgery for their artist, Allison Theus. They began a charity fund on RocketHub, separate from The Escapist, and received substantially more money than was necessary for Theus's surgery. They planned to use this extra money to create a game publishing label, where the revenue would go directly into funding subsequent projects.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockethub.com/projects/2165-extra-credits/posts/740|title=Because Games Matter By James Portnow|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717164516/http://www.rockethub.com/projects/2165-extra-credits/posts/740|archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=2011-08-11}} Alexander Macris, owner and co-founder of The Escapist, stated the money should have been used to create more episodes of Extra Credits for The Escapist and to compensate Themis Media for donation incentives, such as premium memberships and T-shirts.{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/notes/alexander-macris/a-response-on-extra-credits/10150287107583910|title=A Response on Extra Credits|website=Facebook |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121129223414/http://www.facebook.com/notes/alexander-macris/a-response-on-extra-credits/10150287107583910|archive-date=2012-11-29|url-status=dead|access-date=2011-08-11}}
During the dispute, a number of other contracted creators spoke out in support of Extra Credits, relaying similar stories of mistreatment by the management. Among them were MovieBob, James Stephanie Sterling, LoadingReadyRun, and the creators of No Right Answer.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} Later, those creators would also break ties with The Escapist, leaving Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw as the sole contracted creator by 2017.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} As a result, Extra Credits broke ties with The Escapist, moving to Penny Arcade and later becoming independent.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}
Macris would later become involved with the sale of Themis Media to Alloy Digital, as well as supporting the Gamergate controversy in 2014 by openly adopting stricter policies.{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Escapist-Destructoid-Update-Their-Policies-Ethics-Light-GamerGate-67219.html|title=The Escapist, Destructoid Update Their Policies, Ethics In Light Of #GamerGate|last=Usher|first=William|date=September 15, 2014|publisher=CinemaBlend|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912210656/http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Escapist-Destructoid-Update-Their-Policies-Ethics-Light-GamerGate-67219.html|archive-date=September 12, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=September 16, 2014}}{{clarification needed|reason=How exactly do these policies relate to Gamergate?|date=November 2023}}
On November 15, 2012, it was announced that Themis Media had been acquired by Alloy Digital for an undisclosed sum.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2012/digital/news/alloy-digital-buys-website-escapist-1118062277/|title=Alloy Digital buys website Escapist|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=2012-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119215113/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118062277|archive-date=November 19, 2012|url-status=live|publisher=Variety}} For a few years afterwards, Alloy cross-promoted Smosh Games on The Escapist. In 2014, Alloy Digital merged with Break Media to form Defy Media,{{Cite web|url=http://www.defymedia.com/about-us/|title=DEFY Website|date=2014|website=DEFY Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626135406/http://www.defymedia.com/about-us/|archive-date=2014-06-26|url-status=dead|access-date=2014-07-02}} with a consolidated portfolio that did not mention The Escapist.
On January 21, 2015, Defy Media announced it was cutting staff across a portfolio of its main sites including The Escapist, GameTrailers and GameFront.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-01-21-defy-media-lays-off-staff-at-gaming-sites|title=Defy Media lays off staff at gaming sites|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=21 January 2015 |language=en|access-date=2019-07-15}} In 2016, The Escapist laid off a 'number of employees' and shuttered its main office in Durham, North Carolina leaving the website's main operation out of Seattle.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-03-29-layoffs-at-the-escapist|title=Layoffs at The Escapist|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=29 March 2016 |language=en|access-date=2019-07-15}}
By late 2017, the site was reduced to Croshaw, a small streaming team and the editor-in-chief with the closure of the site seeming imminent as the community volunteers were the only contributors to the site besides Croshaw.{{Cite web |date=20 October 2017 |title=Open Letter to The Escapist Community |work=The Escapist |url=https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/171005-Open-Letter-to-The-Escapist-Community |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113181920/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/171005-Open-Letter-to-The-Escapist-Community |archive-date=2018-11-13 |access-date=2021-01-27 |language=en}}
=2018–2022: Enthusiast and relaunch=
In July 2018, The Escapist was purchased by Enthusiast Gaming, owner of Destructoid,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/defy-media-escapist-acquired-enthusiast-gaming-1202886978/|title=Defy Media Sells The Escapist Gaming Site to Canada's Enthusiast Gaming|first=Todd|last=Spangler|date=26 July 2018}} and a relaunch was announced with former editor-in-chief Russ Pitts at the helm.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business/the-escapist-magazine-is-to-relaunch-with-former-eic-russ-pitts-at-the-helm|title=The Escapist Magazine is to relaunch, with former EIC Russ Pitts at the helm|work=MCV|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-us}} These changes came into effect September 2018, along with a website name change to Escapist Magazine Volume Two.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=3 October 2018|title=Welcome to Escapist Magazine Volume Two|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/welcome-to-escapist-magazine-volume-two/|access-date=13 October 2018|website=The Escapist}} The Big Picture, produced by MovieBob, was the first series to be officially relaunched alongside the continued Zero Punctuation.{{Cite web|title=Polarity Contest {{!}} The Big Picture Video Gallery {{!}} The Escapist|url=https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-big-picture/117218-Polarity-Contest|access-date=2021-01-28|website=v1.escapistmagazine.com|language=en}}
Following a Twitter exchange with Zoë Quinn over a now-deleted article about Gamergate, Russ Pitts announced he would be taking a "voluntary leave of absence" from The Escapist in February 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/494803-the-escapist-russ-pitts-gamergate-zoe-quinn|title=The Escapist's Russ Pitts takes 'leave of absence' following Zoe Quinn tweet|last=Tamburro|first=Paul|work=Game Revolution|date=February 11, 2019|access-date=February 12, 2019}} Nick Calandra, who joined the site in 2019 as the managing director of video, replaced Pitts as editor-in-chief in July 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/2019/07/29/editors-address/|title=Letter from the New Editor-in-Chief|first=Nick|last=Calandra|work=The Escapist|publisher=Enthusiast Gaming|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=July 30, 2019|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729211109/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/2019/07/29/editors-address/|url-status=dead}}
In April 2020, the site name reverted to The Escapist. The site also launched The Escapist +, which allows readers to view the site without advertisements. Management under Calandra saw a surge in original content as the site transitioned from a gaming news focus to gaming commentary. In October 2020, Bob Chipman's contract with The Escapist was not renewed.{{Cite web|title=Schlocktober 2020 - "DAIGORO VS GOLIATH" (w/ Special Announcement) - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieipev1CiG0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/ieipev1CiG0 |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-25|website=www.youtube.com| date=October 16, 2020 }}{{cbignore}} Later in October, the Escapist Movies YouTube channel was relaunched.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=October 23, 2020|title=Channel Update - Movies Channel Relaunch, Schedule Update and Second Games Showcase|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6ekiawMkPw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/J6ekiawMkPw |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|access-date=|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} In April 2021, the Escapist Plays YouTube channel was relaunched as "The Escapist Live".{{Cite web|title=The Escapist - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/post/UgxdTY4FU6S0sUe86R54AaABCQ|access-date=2021-04-20|website=www.youtube.com}} In May 2021, the Escapist Movies YouTube channel merges with the main Escapist YouTube channel.{{Cite web|title=The Escapist - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/post/UgzoCEg8oSyf1rwklTx4AaABCQ|access-date=2021-05-25|website=www.youtube.com}}
=2022–present: Gamurs and staff resignation=
Enthusiast Gaming sold the website to Gamurs Group in September 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gamurs-group-buying-enthusiast-gaming-sites-report |title=Gamurs Group buying Enthusiast Gaming sites |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |work=Gamesindustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network |date=September 30, 2022 |accessdate=September 30, 2022 }} On November 6, 2023, Calandra alleged he was fired from Gamurs Group, citing "not achieving goals" as the justification. The entire video team, including Croshaw,{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/video-series-zero-punctuation-is-seemingly-ending-following-the-escapist-staff-exodus/ |title=Video series Zero Punctuation is seemingly ending following The Escapist staff exodus |last=Middler |first=Jordan |work=Video Games Chronicle |date=November 7, 2023 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-67348861 |title=Zero Punctuation star Yahtzee Croshaw quits after 16 years |publisher=BBC |date=November 7, 2023 }} subsequently resigned to form an employee-owned outlet titled Second Wind; Gamurs kept the rights to Zero Punctuation among other Escapist properties.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ex-escapist-staff-found-new-games-media-website-second-wind |title=Ex-Escapist staff launch new games media website Second Wind |last=Carter |first=Justin |work=Game Developer |date=November 7, 2023 }}
''The Escapist Games Showcase''
The Escapist Indie Showcase was held from June 11–14, 2020 focusing on indie games. The main showcase video was aired first on June 11 and used the "direct" format, as well as featuring messages from the developers behind the games. Streams were held after the showcase where The Escapist team played some of the games while interviewing their developers live. They partnered with GOG for the event.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-11|title=Watch The Escapist Indie Showcase, over 2 hours of exclusive trailers, and more is on the way|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/announcing-the-escapist-indie-showcase-premiering-on-june-11/|access-date=2020-11-27|website=Escapist Magazine|language=en-US}}
The Escapist Games Showcase was held from November 10–12, 2020, as part of the digital EGLX event.{{Cite web|title=The Escapist Games Showcase - Fall Edition - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAbMhAYRuCUj8YKegdzuGdtRMFdWE0Aah|access-date=2021-11-11|website=www.youtube.com}}
Awards
In May 2008, The Escapist won the Webby Award and 2008 People's Choice Award for Best Video-Game Related Website. The Escapist also won this award in 2009 after a protracted voting battle between the members of The Escapist and the website GameSpot. In 2011 The Escapist again won three Webby Awards: Best Games-Related Website, People's Voice Best Games-Related Website and People's Voice Best Lifestyle Website.{{cite web|url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=12#webby_entry_games_related |title=Webby Nominees |publisher=Webbyawards.com |date=2011-10-28 |access-date=2011-12-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429074337/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=12 |archive-date=2011-04-29 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=13#webby_entry_games_related |title=Webby Nominees |publisher=Webbyawards.com |access-date=2011-12-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003222606/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=13 |archive-date=2009-10-03 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=96&season=15#webby_entry_games_related |title=Webby Nominees |publisher=Webbyawards.com |date=2011-10-28 |access-date=2011-12-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224045938/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=96&season=15 |archive-date=2011-12-24 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=96&season=15#webby_entry_lifestyle |title=Webby Nominees |publisher=Webbyawards.com |date=2011-10-28 |access-date=2011-12-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224045938/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=96&season=15 |archive-date=2011-12-24 }} The Escapist also received a Mashable Open Web Award for Best Online Magazine in 2009{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2009/12/16/open-web-awards-2009-50-winners/#mb |title=Open Web Awards 2009 |publisher=Mashable |year=2009 |access-date=2013-03-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301163609/http://mashable.com/2009/12/16/open-web-awards-2009-50-winners/ |archive-date=2013-03-01 }} and was named one of the 50 Best Websites by Time magazine in 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2087815_2087939_2087916,00.html |title=The 50 Best Websites of 2011 |publisher=Time Magazine |access-date=2013-03-14 |date=2011-08-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308120820/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0%2C28804%2C2087815_2087939_2087916%2C00.html |archive-date=2013-03-08 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Video game journalism}}
{{Portal bar|Journalism|Video games}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Escapist, The}}
Category:Magazines established in 2005
Category:Internet properties established in 2005
Category:2022 mergers and acquisitions
Category:Online magazines published in the United States
Category:Video game magazines published in the United States