Future – the UK’s leading games media company, has appointed Jon Hicks as the new Editor of the bestselling games magazine, Xbox 360: The Official Magazine (OXM).

Currently editing Future’s spin-off Microsoft computing projects, Jon has been a long time gaming fanatic and is set to move to London to join the magazine in early November. His first task as Editor is to guide the UK’s best-selling games magazine through the festive season and beyond.

Since joining Future in 2002, Jon was Deputy Editor of Windows XP: The Official Magazine, before moving on to the launch team for the record-breaking Windows Vista: The Official Magazine, which rolled out in 11 countries simultaneously. Aside from his close relationship with Microsoft at Future, Jon has written about games on a freelance basis for many magazines – including Edge, GamesMaster, PC Format and even the sci-fi and fantasy title, SFX.

Of his new role on Xbox 360: The Official Magazine, Jon Hicks said:

"I’m delighted to be joining OXM. I’ve wanted to join a games magazine for some time and they don’t come any bigger than this. With so many great games out this Christmas and more to come next year the Xbox 360 is clearly the console to have, and the magazine has gone from strength to strength. I’m really looking forward to taking it to the next level, even if it means moving to London and having to fight through hordes of free newspaper distributors.”

Associate Publisher, Emma Parkinson said:

“Snatching Jon from the clutches of a PC mag is a bit of a coup for OXM. His enthusiasm for the subject, as well as his fantastic editorial experience, makes him the ideal man for the job. I’m particularly looking forward to the fresh perspective he can bring to the title.”