The ABC figures for Imagine’s 360 and X360 titles suggest that it can boast 52 per cent of the unofficial market. Including the official magazines, owned by Future, Imagine claims 31 per cent of the sector. The publisher’s two most renowned magazines, Play and GamesTM, have switched to an annual audit, and so their figures have not yet been disclosed.

“We’re thrilled by these results as they further cement our position as the number one publisher of unofficial video games magazines,” said editor-in-chief Simon Phillips. “Owning 50 per cent share of this key market gives us an immensely strong foothold to build upon in the second half of the year, which is traditionally the strongest for magazine sales.”

- This week’s print edition of MCV features a full analysis of the ABC results.