1UP
The business, the turning points, and the decisions behind them.
Some sections are still being researched1 / 4
Sections to complete：05
01 / WHAT IT BUILT
What the company did
1UP was a video-game media network owned by Ziff Davis. Its flagship site 1UP.com, launched in 1999, published gaming news, reviews, and features, alongside associated sites GameVideos.com, MyCheats.com, and GameTab.com. The network ran popular podcasts such as 1Up Yours, 1Up FM, and The 1Up Show, and was closely tied to the print magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly.
02 / 1UP FAILURE REASONS
Failure factors supported by the current evidence
After Ziff Davis acquired IGN, CEO Vivek Shah's 21 February 2013 staff memo (published by Kotaku) said the company would simplify and focus on flagship brands IGN and AskMen, and therefore was winding down 1UP.com (with UGO.com and GameSpy.com). An IGN spokesperson confirmed they decided to close sites to focus on those two flagships.
The parent decided to concentrate resources on IGN and AskMen and wind down secondary sites including 1UP.com.
03 / EVENT HISTORY
Events in the structured record
- 1UP.com launches
The 1UP.com gaming website launches under Ziff Davis, growing into a network with podcasts, video content, and cheat-code sites.
- Acquired by UGO / Hearst
In January 2009, UGO Entertainment (owned by Hearst) acquires the 1UP Digital Network - including 1UP.com, GameVideos.com, MyCheats.com, and GameTab.com - from Ziff Davis in an asset purchase; financial terms are not disclosed. Around 30 Ziff Davis Games Group employees are laid off, and Electronic Gaming Monthly is discontinued.
- IGN acquires UGO
News Corporation's IGN Entertainment acquires UGO Entertainment, bringing 1UP.com under IGN ownership.
- Site wound down
Ziff Davis announces it will wind down 1UP.com, along with sister sites GameSpy and UGO.com.
04 / CONTEMPORARY REBUILD ASSESSMENT
Difficulty of rebuilding this project today
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.
Overall assessment: Not completed
05 / CAUSAL CHAIN / AFTERMATH
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.