A free and interactive Xbox 360 magazine... Where's the catch?

Cranberry Publishing has today launched 360Zine, a free (that’s important) downloadable and interactive "mag" which seeks to bridge the gap between online and glossy magazine publishing via interactive PDF files.

Usually "free" and "download" puts one on edge, but having read the near 40 pages of magazine I’d say it is well worth a look in for its review of Gears of War and interview with Call of Duty 3 lead game designer Jeremy Luyties, among other things. The e-zine follows the basic principals of magazine design in terms of its layout and style and delivers it all in a full-screen PDF format which is also, helpfully for the purpose of navigation, interactive.

While it does feel a tad odd to navigate a magazine in near web style one quickly gets used to it ; and high-quality content for free (bar a few advertisements in the magazine itself which, perhaps some might say helpfully, contain in-game videos) is never to be sniffed at.

Cranberry is planning on releasing PCGZine, for the PC market, on November 30th.

You can find out more and download Issue 1 of 360Zine here