Congratulations to our buddies at Area 5, creators of the extra-fab CO-OP show ("extra" because it guest stars Bitmob staffers every now and then). EGM just announced Area 5 is joining the team as well, just like we are.

Full press release below.

RYAN O'DONNELL, MATT CHANDRONAIT, AND
THE AREA 5 TEAM JOIN EGM

Former Producers of the 1UP Show and Current CO-OP Team Bring Their Experience
to the Pages Of Electronic Gaming Monthly and EGM[i]: The Digital Magazine

December 2, 2009 - Beverly Hills, CA - Ryan O'Donnell and Matt Chandronait, founders of Area 5.tv and part of the creative force behind the weekly program CO-OP, have announced that they will provide commentary and production capabilities for the re-launch of Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine and EGM(i): The Digital Magazine.

"Bringing Ryan, Matt, and the Area 5 team on board the new EGM is a huge coup for the magazine and helps us realize our goal of successfully integrating print and digital elements into a single cohesive product," said Steve Harris, Publisher of the new Electronic Gaming Monthly. "The 1Up Show, fueled by Ryan and Matt's passion for gaming as well as their excellent video production skills, helped create a new kind of online gaming journalism. With our new digital interface we hope to expand upon this concept with the help of the entire Area 5 group, including Jason Bertrand, Rob Bowen, Jay Frechette, and Cesar Quintero."

Together the EGM-Area 5 alliance will create new and exclusive content for both the EGM print magazine as well as video programming in the pages of EGM(i): The Digital Magazine. "The new shows being developed will adhere to the high standards of both brands," Harris continued. "The Area 5 team will also be tasked with supplying exclusive game video, commentary, and edited footage for all facets of the new EGM experience."

Both Ryan O'Donnell and Matt Chandronait will provide EGM with exclusive on-air commentary and production oversight. Ryan O'Donnell started his career in gaming journalism at GameSpy.com as a member of their video production team before joining IGN's editorial staff. Later, in 2005, O'Donnell joined Ziff Davis Media where he served as co-founder, director, and lead editor of the popular "1UP Show" for its entire three-and-a-half year run. The conversational criticism he popularized on the 1UP Show lives on in Area 5 Media's current weekly video game show, CO-OP.

Matt Chandronait has been in the gaming industry for over 14 years, working as a web designer for several video game companies as well as Gamespy.com and IGN until landing at 1UP.com as Producer of the 1UP Show. He subsequently co-founded Area 5 Media with Ryan O'Donnell and has produced dozens of hours of gaming editorial under this new banner.

"Ryan and Matt, along with the rest of the Area 5 team, have quickly built a brand that has become synonymous with quality. They are collectively some of the most talented names in gaming journalism and a real asset to this new venture," said Harris. "I look forward to the continued growth of Area 5 and welcome their contributions to the EGM brand that they helped shape and strengthen over many years."

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About Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine: Electronic Gaming Monthly (aka "EGM") was founded more than 20 years ago by Steve Harris and remains one of the most respected gaming brands of its kind.  EGM's cutting-edge editorial style and hard-hitting content have earned it a reputation for being a trusted and independent voice in the gaming community.  EGM Media Group acquired the rights to the publication from Ziff Davis Media and is currently planning to re-launch the magazine in print (Electronic Gaming Monthly), digitally (EGM[i]: The Digital Magazine), and online (EGMNOW.com).