Imagine Publishing-owned magazine "games" has a treat for all Heatseeker enthusiasts in its latest issue which became available in UK and in some other markets as well the other day. Here's the goodie: a unique 3D cover to celebrate the arrival of Codemasters' upcoming air combat video game.

If you really want to know more, the inside front cover of the magazine also reveals a pop-up jet fighter once the magazine is opened up. This sort of thing is not entirely new in publication history but if we're not mistaken, this is actually the first for video game-dedicated magazines. Imagine Publishing's Advertising Director Scott Caisley is quite proud as he commented,

I am thrilled to be a part of this key initiative with one of the UK's most revered games publishers. It's this sort of ground-breaking innovation that creates genuine excitement both at retail and within the gaming community, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of this from Imagine in the months to come.

Heatseeker is one the more "updated" jet fighter video game today. Aside from featuring the classic F-15 Eagle, the title will also be sporting renowned real-life planes like F-35 Lightning II and SR-71 Blackbird, not to mention several other futuristic aircrafts. All in all, there are a total number of 30 playable jets, with each one having different handling capabilities.

The Wii and PlayStation 2 (PS2) version of Heatseeker will be released in Europe this coming March 30 and in North America on May 2007. On the other hand, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) version will be available on March 30 for Europe and May 1 for North America.

Imagine Publishing has just announced its plans to further develop its online marketing strategy this year by launching a new online store, and making its Go Play magazine downloadable online.

IP's online store (imagineshop.co.uk) offers gamers the chance to buy back issues of its magazines, books, and other order products such as its PhotoShop Creative eMag - an interactive DVD which compiles 12 issues of the print publication of the magazine.

Avid readers of Imagine's PSP magazine called Go Play will also be glad to know that part of the company's online drive is making the said magazine downloadable online. This way, they'll be able to reach out to an even larger market and "to make it easier for readers to access content on their PSPs."

Damian Butt of Imagine says, "This is just the start of our online drive in 2007 and we will be pushing our online strategy with full force this year."

However, Butt also said (yes, we know...) that they will continue to produce print publications such as "Play", which he calls their "flagship title". Their PSP magazine Go Play will now be made available exclusively online while other titles will still be published in print.