SquareGo

SquareGo was an independent Scottish publication focused on video-game news, reviews, previews, and commentary about the games industry. It began as a digital offshoot of The Skinny, a Scottish culture and entertainment magazine. Josh Wilson, then The Skinny's digital editor, established the project because the parent magazine did not have sufficient space for the amount of games coverage he wanted to produce. The new publication was intended both to extend The Skinny's digital coverage and to provide a dedicated platform for broader reporting on games and the surrounding industry. The website initially appeared online on 10 May 2006 under the name Fidget Magazine. By August of that year it had been renamed SquareGo. The project subsequently expanded beyond its online origins. A printed edition began publication in August 2007 and appeared monthly through August 2008. Its covers used prominent game-related themes, including Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and Fallout 3, reflecting the publication's editorial focus and its interest in contemporary releases. SquareGo separated its business links with The Skinny amicably in August 2008. After that separation, the website became the central part of the operation and increased its article output and audience. The site reportedly grew to more than 30,000 weekly hits during its active period. In February 2009, SquareGo reached a distribution arrangement with Gamestation, enabling printed copies to be made available through the retailer's Scottish branches. Its editorial coverage combined conventional game reviews and release previews with recurring features that explored affordability, older games, regional industry activity, and international developments. The Bargain/Bin series examined games available for less than £5 and classified them either as worthwhile purchases or titles best avoided. Scotland in Focus examined Scotland's games industry and related political issues. For The Love Of... allowed contributors to discuss older games they particularly valued. Month in Japan covered the Japanese games market and gaming culture, while Pixel Curry focused on the games industry and scene in India and was written by Rishi Alwani, an award-nominated writer. The publication received external recognition during its run. On 7 November 2010, Computer and Video Games selected SquareGo as its Site of the Week. On 21 July 2011, The List placed SquareGo 26th in its ranking of Scotland's best websites. Editorial activity slowed during 2014, and the website closed permanently in March 2015. SquareGo is therefore best understood as a now-defunct independent games-media brand whose principal legacy was its Scottish perspective, mixed print-and-digital publishing model, and coverage of games culture beyond simple product reviews.

SquareGo originated within the Scottish cultural magazine The Skinny. Josh Wilson, serving as The Skinny's digital editor, created a dedicated games publication because the magazine's available space could not accommodate the breadth of digital and games-industry coverage he wanted to produce. The project first went online on 10 May 2006 as Fidget Magazine, before adopting the SquareGo name in August of the same year. The publication initially functioned as a digital companion and spin-off, but it soon developed an independent identity. In August 2007, SquareGo added a printed magazine issued monthly. The print edition continued until August 2008 and used wraparound covers themed around prominent games, including Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and Fallout 3. In August 2008, SquareGo amicably ended its business links with The Skinny. The website then became the publication's principal channel and expanded its output and audience, eventually reporting more than 30,000 weekly hits. SquareGo pursued wider physical distribution in February 2009 through an agreement with Gamestation, which supplied copies to its branches across Scotland. Editorially, the publication combined standard reviews, first-impression pieces, and hands-on previews with recurring columns and blogs. Bargain/Bin assessed games costing less than £5. Scotland in Focus examined the Scottish games sector and related political questions. For The Love Of... discussed contributors' favorite older games. Month in Japan reported on gaming and the industry in Japan, while Pixel Curry addressed India's games scene and industry. The publication's profile was reinforced by outside recognition. Computer and Video Games named it Site of the Week on 7 November 2010, and The List ranked it 26th among Scotland's best websites on 21 July 2011. SquareGo changed editors-in-chief several times during its lifespan, with Wilson, Dave Cook, Graeme Strachan, and Phil Harris among those leading the editorial operation. Output declined during 2014, and the site shut down permanently in March 2015.

1. 2015Publication closes

   Following reduced article output during 2014, SquareGo closed permanently in March 2015.

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2. 2011The List website ranking

   The List ranked SquareGo 26th in its list of Scotland's best websites.

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3. 2010Computer and Video Games recognition

   Computer and Video Games named SquareGo its Site of the Week.

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4. 2009Gamestation distribution agreement

   SquareGo entered a deal to distribute copies through Gamestation branches in Scotland.

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5. 2008Print edition ends and links with The Skinny are separated

   The monthly print run ended in August 2008, when SquareGo also amicably separated its business relationship with The Skinny.

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6. 2007Monthly print edition begins

   SquareGo began publishing a monthly paper magazine in August 2007.

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7. 2006Website launches as Fidget Magazine

   The publication went online on 10 May 2006 under the name Fidget Magazine.

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8. 2006Fidget Magazine becomes SquareGo

   The website adopted the SquareGo name in August 2006.

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An independent Scottish video-game publication combining reviews and previews with regional, cultural, and international games-industry coverage.

• SquareGo websiteDigital publication2006

  The website was SquareGo's main publishing platform after the print edition ended. It carried video-game news, reviews, previews, first-impression articles, hands-on coverage, and recurring commentary on regional and international games culture. The site became the publication's principal growth channel after 2008 and reportedly reached more than 30,000 weekly hits before its closure.

• SquareGo print magazinePrint magazine2007

  The print edition was published monthly from August 2007 through August 2008. Its issues used themed wraparound covers based on notable games and complemented the website's reviews, previews, and wider games-industry reporting.

• 2015Publication shutdownStrategy

  SquareGo's article output had slowed during 2014.

  What changed. The website and publication closed permanently in March 2015.

  Aftermath. SquareGo ceased operating as a games-news and review publication.

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• 2009Gamestation retail distributionOther

  SquareGo sought broader physical access for its magazine in Scotland.

  What changed. The publication entered a distribution agreement with Gamestation for its Scottish branches.

  Aftermath. Printed copies became available through Gamestation stores across Scotland.

  Source
• 2008Separation from The SkinnyStrategy

  SquareGo had begun as an offshoot of The Skinny but had developed its own publication and audience.

  What changed. The two publications amicably ended their business links in August 2008.

  Aftermath. SquareGo's website became the central operating and publishing platform.

  Source
• 2006Launch of a dedicated games publicationStrategy

  The Skinny's digital section lacked sufficient magazine space for the desired level of games coverage.

  What changed. Josh Wilson established a separate publication, initially called Fidget Magazine and later renamed SquareGo.

  Aftermath. The project developed into an independent games-media brand with both digital and print output.

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• 2015SquareGo closes after a period of reduced publishing activity

  After article production slowed during 2014, SquareGo ceased publication and its website closed in March 2015.

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• 2011SquareGo ranked among Scotland's best websites

  The List ranked SquareGo 26th in its survey of Scotland's best websites.

  Other
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• 2010SquareGo selected as Computer and Video Games Site of the Week

  Computer and Video Games recognized SquareGo as its Site of the Week, providing external acknowledgment of the publication's online games coverage.

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1. SquareGo