1Up Network

1Up.com
Screenshot
The 1Up.com front page on December 31, 2008
Type of site
Video game website
DissolvedJuly 2013 (2013-07)
OwnerIGN Entertainment
URL1up.com[dead link]
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
Launched2003; 21 years ago (2003)
Current statusContent deleted, domain redirects to IGN

1Up.com was an American entertainment website that focused on video games. Launched in 2003, 1Up.com provided its own original features, news stories, game reviews, and video interviews, and also featured comprehensive PC-focused content. Like a print magazine, 1Up.com also hosted special week-long online cover stories that presented each day a new in-depth feature story, interview with the developers, game screenshot gallery, game video footage, and video of the game studio and creators. On February 21, 2013, Ziff Davis announced it would be winding down the site, along with sister sites GameSpy and UGO.com.[1]

Network

[edit]

1Up Network was a collection of podcasts hosted by 1Up.com dealing with various aspects of gaming. Most of the shows, like 4 Guys 1Up, were about games and general gaming culture. Others were more specific, such as The Sports Game Guy's Sports Anomaly, which focused on sports games. The network also featured Retronauts, an audio retrospective series that chronicled various retro games and game series. The network had shown significant growth, with several new shows having been introduced in 2007–2008. However, in early 2009 1Up.com was purchased by UGO and its parent company Hearst Corporation from Ziff Davis.[2][3] This resulted not only in the closure of Electronic Gaming Monthly, but also the loss of over 30 jobs, including several hosts and producers of the site's many podcasts.[4] Because of this, more than half of the network's shows were abruptly discontinued, leaving only a few remaining. While 1Up Yours did not cease to exist, the resignation of the show's co-host Shane Bettenhausen led host Garnett Lee to change the show's name and structure to Listen UP. Several former employees also started their own projects after the firings as well, including Co-Op, the spiritual successor to The 1Up Show,[5] Rebel FM, the follow-up to 1Up FM,[6] and The Geekbox, Ryan Scott's replacement for Lan Party podcast.[7]

Programming

[edit]
List of 1Up Network podcasts
Start date End date Title Host or starring Notes Ref.
November 12, 2010 Games, Dammit! David Ellis, Jeremy Parish, Thierry Nguyen, and Jose Otero Formerly 4 Guys 1 Up
August 20, 2005 1UP Yours Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, Luke Smith and John Davison
January 30, 2009 Listen Up Jane Pinckard, Ryan O'Donnell, and Che Chou
October 23, 2009 4 Guys 1 Up
July 2, 2010 In This Thread
October 4, 2006 Retronauts Jeremy Parish and Bob Mackey
October 21, 2005 December 19, 2008 The 1UP Show
April 21, 2006 January 6, 2009 Broken Pixels Seanbaby, Shane Bettenhausen, and Crispin Boyer
RadiOPM Joe Rybicki along and Dana Jongewaard
April 26, 2006 June 10, 2008 EGM Live* Jennifer Tsao [8]
February 16, 2006 September 17, 2008 GFW Radio Jeff Green, Shawn Elliott, Ryan Scott, Sean Molloy, Darren Gladstone, Robert Ashley, and Anthony Gallegos
October 7, 2008 December 23, 2008 LAN Party Ryan Scott, Robert Ashley, Anthony Gallegos, Tina Sanchez, and Matt Chandronait
June 16, 2008 1UP FM Philip Kollar and Nick Suttner [8]
Legendary Thread Demian Linn
April 8, 2008 Review Crew Garnett Lee [9][10]
February 24, 2009 at1UP Mike Cruz, Jade Kraus, and Travis Williams
November 12, 2009 The Oddcast Tina Sanchez, Scott Sharkey, Sam Kennedy, Chris Plante
February 26, 2009 Good Grief
October 15, 2009 Active Time Babble Jeremy Parish
The Sports Game Guy's Sports Anomaly Todd Zuniga, Greg Ford, David Ellis, Andrew Fitch, and Tyler Barber

1UP Yours

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The initial four-man lineup included Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, Luke Smith and John Davison. However, Smith later left the network to accept a position at the then-Microsoft game development studio Bungie.[11][12] On August 24, 2007, Mark MacDonald was declared the show's official fourth chair member. John Davison then announced that he was leaving the 1UP staff,[13] though he would continue his participation with the podcast despite his change in career.[14] The last officially branded 1UP Yours was recorded on January 17, 2009, and was released on January 22, 2009.[15] On September 30, 2009, Garnett Lee announced he would be leaving 1UP to become the editorial director for Gamefly Media. It was replaced by 4 Guys 1UP hosted by former fourth chair David Ellis. Lee stated he will create a new show for Gamefly Media titled Weekend Confirmed.[16][17]

On January 6, 2009, it was announced that Ziff Davis would be selling 1UP.com to the Hearst Corporation, in the process terminating Electronic Gaming Monthly and over 30 employees, including Shane Bettenhausen and Andrew Pfister. In the wake of the announcement the future of 1UP Yours was uncertain. On January 16, Garnett Lee confirmed the continuation of the series with a new cast consisting of John Davison, David Ellis, and Garnett Lee and new regular addition Sam Kennedy. However, the show would have to continue under a new name, Listen UP. However, with Lee's departure from 1UP in October 2009, the show would end, its final episode airing October 9, 2009.[15][18]

Retronauts

[edit]

Retronauts also produced the supplement video podcast, Bonus Stage, which looked at specific retro titles more closely. After a long hiatus, Bonus Stage was finally updated in September 2009. Retronauts returned to producing video content with Retronauts Lunch Break, though this segment was not available as a podcast. Bob Mackey has also crossed over with the Laser Time podcast network.[19] After 1UP was shuttered by Ziff Davis,[20] Retronauts survived as its own entity.[21] The podcast raised money through crowdfunding,[22] and was later promoted through the USGamer website, a subsidiary of Eurogamer.[23] Retronauts is now fully crowdfunded on Patreon.[24]

Digital Trends has hailed Retronauts as one of the best video game podcasts, for covering historic games with a strong selection of guest commentators.[21] Retronauts was also included on Kotaku's list of best gaming podcasts, who praised its cast and depth of coverage on each topic.[25] Polygon also recommended Retronauts and its host, with Chris Plante saying "when it comes to retro video games, I trust no one more than Jeremy Parish."[26]

The 1UP Show

[edit]

The 1UP Show was a weekly videogame podcast produced by the website. The show premiered on October 21, 2005, and featured editors from 1UP.com, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and Games for Windows: The Official Magazine. The show was initially created by Jane Pinckard and Ryan O'Donnell, and Che Chou. The theme song was created by Jane Pinckard (who previously played in the band Dealership) and Eric Haller, with the music for the series being composed by Ryan O'Donnell. The show consisted of previews and reviews of video games as well as debates and discussions on videogame news. The podcast contained some scripted content, but mostly consisted of unscripted discussions.[27] The 1UP Network was sold by Ziff Davis to the UGO Network on January 7, 2009, and two days later Matt Chandronait announced on 1UP.com that The1UP Show would be ending due to the acquisition.[28]

Awards

[edit]
Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Best of the Web Awards 2007 Best Podcast or Vodcast The 1UP Show Finalist [citation needed]
April 18, 2008 Best Podcast or Vodcast The 1UP Show Finalist [29][30]

Broken Pixels

[edit]

The first episode of Season 1 debuted on September 9, 2008, with the crew playing Robocop for the original Xbox. Former 1UP and GFW editor Shawn Elliott made a guest appearance on the WWE Crush Hour episode during this season. At the end of the Season 1 finale, a teaser was shown announcing that the second season would be premiering January 6, 2009. However, that was the day of the Ziff Davis layoffs that left more than 30 people out of a job, including the entire cast of Broken Pixels. Furthermore, Seanbaby noted that he caused controversy with "media watchdogs" by his use of the term "faggotiest" in the Spiderman 3 episode at the end of season one.[31] Most fans assumed that the show would not continue and that the segments they filmed would never be released, but season 2 premiered on February 6, 2009, with the Sega CD game, Wirehead.[32]

GFW Radio and LAN Party

[edit]

It was announced on September 4, 2008, that Jeff Green would leave Ziff Davis after 17 years to join Electronic Arts to work on the "Sim" franchise.[33] Shortly afterward on September 17, co-host Shawn Elliott also announced that he would be leaving the company to work under Ken Levine as associate producer on the next 2K Boston video game.[34] The podcast is often affectionately referred to its nickname "97.5 The Brodeo".[35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Parish, Jeremy (February 21, 2013). "It's True: 1Up Has Reached Its End—A Message From the Now-Former Editor-in-Chief". 1Up.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "Ziff Davis Sells 1Up Network to UGO and Hearst, Closes EGM: Following Repeated Rumors to the Effect, Gamasutra Has Received Official Word That Ziff Davis Has Sold Its 1Up Division to Hearst's UGO Entertainment, and is Shutting Long-Running P". Game Developer. Informa PLC. January 7, 2009. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  3. ^ Klepek, Patrick (January 6, 2009). "EGM Shuts Down, More Than Thirty Ziff Davis Employees Laid Off". MTV. Paramount Media Networks. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  4. ^ Nelson, Randy (January 6, 2009). "Assessing the damage at 1UP [update]". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  5. ^ McElroy, Justin (January 21, 2009). "1UP Show staff returns as Area 5 with new show". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  6. ^ McElroy, Justin (January 9, 2009). "1UP FM lives on (sort of) as Rebel FM". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  7. ^ "Rebel FM". Eat-sleep-game.com. January 12, 2009. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Andrew Pfister, June 10, 2008 EGM Live* is changing... 1UP.com
  9. ^ "Review Crew Podcast". Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
  10. ^ "Review Crew". Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
  11. ^ McElroy, Justin (April 24, 2007). "Luke Smith leaves 1UP to be Master Chief's poolboy". Joystiq.com. Joystiq. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  12. ^ Mcwerthor, Michael (April 20, 2007). "Luke Smith Leaves 1UP For Bungie Gig". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
  13. ^ Grant, Christopher (August 22, 2007). "Bail out: John Davison leaving Ziff Davis Media to start a new website [Update – 1UP confirms]". Joystiq.com. Joystiq. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  14. ^ Fletcher, JC (August 26, 2007). "PAX 07: 1UP Yours podcast still John's". Joystiq.com. Joystiq. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  15. ^ a b "1UP Yours Classic Reunion Coming Next Week and then". 1up.com. January 16, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  16. ^ "Reminisces from a Shinkansen". 1up.com. September 30, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  17. ^ Lee, Garnett (March 26, 2010). "Weekend Confirmed Debuts Friday". Shacknews.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  18. ^ "The Last 1UP Yours". 1up.com. January 18, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  19. ^ Mackey, Bob (November 18, 2013). "Retronauts Vol. III Episode 10 Is 100% Duty-free". Retronauts. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  20. ^ Parish, Jeremy (February 21, 2013). "It's True: 1UP has Reached Its End". 1Up.com. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  21. ^ a b "The Best Video Game Podcasts". Digital Trends. March 15, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  22. ^ Farokhmanesh, Megan (March 24, 2013). "Retronauts gaming podcast achieves Kickstarter goal in less than 24 hours". Polygon. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  23. ^ Mackey, Bob (November 3, 2014). "It's Official, the Retronauts Podcast is Coming to USGamer". USGamer. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  24. ^ "Retronauts on Patreon". Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  25. ^ "The Best Gaming Podcasts For 2020 [Updated!]". Kotaku Australia. January 20, 2020. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  26. ^ Plante, Chris (September 2, 2021). "The histories of SNES and Virtual Boy now fit on your coffee table". Polygon. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  27. ^ Grubb, Jeff (February 7, 2020). "Garnett Lee Joins Raw Fury to Take Care of Business for Indies". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  28. ^ Chandronait, Matt (January 6, 2009). "The End of the 1UP Show". 1up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  29. ^ "Recognizing Top Magazine Digital Campaigns, Sites & People Awards". The Min Day Digital Media Summit. Access Intelligence. April 15, 2008. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
  30. ^ Whiting, Mark (February 5, 2008). "1up Show Nominated for Best of Web Award: Min Awards Recognize Standouts in Media". 1UP. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
  31. ^ "EGM's Uncensored Greatest Hits". Seanbaby. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  32. ^ "Broken Pixels Show Wirehead Sega CD Episode 1 Video Retro Gameplay Trailer from GameVideos". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2009.
  33. ^ McElroy, Justin (September 5, 2008). "GFW's Jeff Green leaves 1UP for Sims team". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  34. ^ Elliott, Shawn (September 17, 2008). "Goodbye". 1Up. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  35. ^ McElroy, Justin (September 16, 2008). "Podcast Rodeo Special Edition: Remembering The Brodeo". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
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