PlayStation Official Magazine UK
A United Kingdom video-game magazine officially associated with PlayStation, spanning the original PlayStation era through PlayStation 5 and later relaunched as Play.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
PlayStation Official Magazine UK was a United Kingdom video-game magazine produced under an official PlayStation license and associated with Future Publishing, now Future plc. The publication began in November 1995 alongside the launch of the original PlayStation in the UK. Its initial incarnation, usually known as the Official UK PlayStation Magazine, focused on Sony's first console and ran for 108 issues before ending in March 2004. During its run, the magazine changed its shorthand from PSM to OPM, partly to avoid confusion with the separately launched PSM2 title. It became one of the most prominent PlayStation publications in the British market and received industry recognition for its editorial and magazine work. A PlayStation 2 successor, Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine, launched in December 2000. Commonly abbreviated as OPS2 or OPSM2, it was designed to coincide with the arrival of the PlayStation 2 and included a playable demo DVD with each issue. The magazine ran for 100 issues, with the final issue appearing in July 2008. Its editorial approach changed several times: it initially targeted experienced PlayStation players and early adopters, later broadened toward a mass-market audience, and subsequently adjusted its tone and presentation for younger and newer PlayStation 2 owners. The publication won Magazine of the Year and Magazine Team of the Year awards in 2004. The modern PlayStation Official Magazine UK relaunched in the winter of 2006 as a single publication covering the wider PlayStation platform rather than concentrating on one console generation. The first relaunch issue appeared quarterly, but the magazine moved to a monthly schedule from its second issue. Its coverage expanded across PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation VR, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 5 and related games, while also including selected coverage of high-definition media, Blu-ray releases, Sony hardware and the wider PlayStation ecosystem. A major part of the relaunch identity was its cover-mounted playable Blu-ray demo disc. From issue 7 through issue 84, the disc primarily supplied PlayStation 3 game demonstrations and other downloadable or installable content. Some material was available through PlayStation Network, while other items were presented as magazine-exclusive content. The magazine used a conventional games-journalism structure built around news, interviews, previews, reviews, features, reader correspondence, sales charts, buyer guidance and media coverage. Reviews generally used a ten-point scale, supplemented in some cases by second opinions, developer commentary and a Gold Award for games judged to have exceptional quality, innovation or lasting appeal. Its regular features included news roundups, platform agendas, previews, reviews, Blu-ray coverage, reader letters, community material and buying guides for games and display hardware. The publication also ran retrospective features such as readers' polls, platform halls of fame and ranked lists of notable PlayStation games. Its editorial identity combined official access and platform expertise with consumer guidance for PlayStation owners. On 30 April 2021, GamesRadar+ announced that the Official PlayStation Magazine title would be retired. The publication was relaunched as Play, with the existing staff retained and subscribers transferred to the new magazine while the issue numbering restarted. The change ended the OPM brand as an active magazine title, although its editorial lineage continued through Play.
History
The publication's history began with the British launch of the original PlayStation. The Official UK PlayStation Magazine first appeared in November 1995 as an official platform publication. Its editorial remit centered on PlayStation games, hardware and news, and its first reviewed game was Wipeout. The magazine ran for 108 issues and ended in March 2004. During its lifespan, its shorthand changed from PSM to OPM, principally because the arrival of PSM2 made the earlier abbreviation potentially confusing. The title used three principal design phases across its original run. The PlayStation 2 era was served by a related title, Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine, launched in December 2000. OPS2 was distributed with a playable demo DVD and initially targeted committed players and readers of the first official magazine. Its editorial strategy later shifted toward a broader mainstream readership, followed by further redesigns aimed at younger audiences and, eventually, new or family-oriented PlayStation 2 owners. The publication ended after 100 issues in July 2008 and was recognized with industry awards in 2004. The modern OPM title emerged from a winter 2006 relaunch. Rather than being tied to one console, it addressed the PlayStation brand as a whole. Its coverage included PlayStation 3 and its software, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation VR, PlayStation Vita and, later, PlayStation 5. The magazine also treated Blu-ray and other high-definition media as secondary areas of interest. Although the first relaunch issue was quarterly, the publication adopted a monthly schedule from issue 2. The relaunched magazine was distinguished by its playable Blu-ray demo disc, supplied with issues 7 through 84. The discs contained game demonstrations and other PlayStation-related material intended for installation on PlayStation 3. Some content overlapped with PlayStation Network offerings, while other material was presented as exclusive to the magazine. This physical-digital combination helped maintain a direct connection between print editorial and console use during the PlayStation 3 period. Editorial departments included news and interviews, previews, features, reviews, letters, charts, media reviews and buyer guidance. Recurring sections changed names over time but generally preserved these functions. Reviews were scored out of ten, sometimes included a second opinion or developer comment, and could receive a Gold Award when the editorial team considered a game especially innovative, polished and durable. The magazine also published community-oriented material, reader polls and historical features such as platform halls of fame and lists of notable games. On 30 April 2021, GamesRadar+ announced the retirement of the Official PlayStation Magazine name. The publication was relaunched as Play, retaining the staff and transferring subscribers, but restarting the issue count. Consequently, PlayStation Official Magazine UK is now a defunct title as a named brand, while its editorial operation continued in successor form.
- 2021
OPM is replaced by Play
[2]The Official PlayStation Magazine name is retired and the publication continues under the Play title.
- 2006
Magazine relaunches as a cross-platform PlayStation title
[1]The relaunched publication broadens its remit to cover PlayStation as a complete platform family.
- 2004
Original PlayStation magazine ends
[1]The first Official UK PlayStation Magazine concludes its 108-issue run in March.
- 2000
PlayStation 2 companion magazine launches
[1]Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine starts publication in December with a cover-mounted playable demo DVD.
- 1995
Original official PlayStation magazine launches
[1]The Official UK PlayStation Magazine begins publication in November to accompany the UK launch of the original PlayStation.
Products and positioning
An official, platform-focused PlayStation magazine combining privileged news and preview access with reviews, consumer advice, playable demonstration content and community features.
Video-game magazine · 1995
Official UK PlayStation Magazine
The original official UK PlayStation magazine, launched in 1995 with coverage of the first PlayStation. It combined news, previews, reviews, features and reader material, and became known by the OPM abbreviation during its run. The title ended after 108 issues in March 2004.
Video-game magazine · 2000
Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine
A dedicated PlayStation 2 publication launched in December 2000. It was distributed with a playable demo DVD and altered its editorial design and target audience several times, moving from early adopters toward broader and younger PlayStation 2 audiences. It ended after 100 issues in July 2008.
Video-game magazine · 2006
PlayStation Official Magazine UK
The cross-platform successor launched in winter 2006 and covered PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation VR, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 5. It also included selected Blu-ray, high-definition media, Sony hardware and consumer-guide coverage.
Magazine supplement
Playable Blu-ray demo discs
From issue 7 through issue 84 of the relaunched OPM, the magazine included a playable Blu-ray disc containing PlayStation 3 game demonstrations and related content. Disc material was installed on the console, and some offerings were distinct from standard PlayStation Network downloads.
Brand decisions
2021
Retire the OPM name and relaunch as PlayStrategyBackground
GamesRadar+ and Sony concluded that the long-running Official PlayStation Magazine title had reached the end of its useful life as a brand.
Action taken
The magazine was renamed Play, the existing staff was retained, subscribers were carried over and the issue numbering restarted.
Aftermath
PlayStation Official Magazine UK became a defunct named brand while its editorial staff and subscription base continued under the successor publication.
2006
Broaden the magazine beyond a single console generationStrategyBackground
The publication was relaunched during the winter of 2006 after earlier separate PlayStation and PlayStation 2 magazine lines.
Action taken
The new magazine covered PlayStation as a wider platform, including multiple consoles, handheld hardware, virtual reality and related high-definition media.
Aftermath
The relaunch continued as a monthly publication from its second issue and carried the OPM identity through later PlayStation generations.
Recent events
- 2021
Official PlayStation Magazine title retires and becomes Play[2]
Product launch
GamesRadar+ announced that the Official PlayStation Magazine title would end and be replaced by Play. The staff remained in place and subscribers continued under the new title, with issue numbering restarted.
- 2006
PlayStation Official Magazine UK expands to cover the platform[1]
Product launch
The magazine relaunched during the winter of 2006 as a broader PlayStation publication covering multiple consoles and related media rather than a single hardware generation.
- 2000
Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine launches[1]
Product launch
A dedicated PlayStation 2 successor publication began in December 2000 and included a playable demo DVD with each issue.
- 1995
Official UK PlayStation Magazine launches[1]
Product launch
The original UK official PlayStation magazine was launched in November 1995 to coincide with the British release of the PlayStation console.
Sources2 sources
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