[citation][nom]rooket[/nom]Playboy is really softcore, I can't understand how they make money.  But porn is way overdone these days anyway. Playboy some people will argue with me is "Art" well I lately prefer to just see women for who they are.[/citation]
Some like hard core, some just want to look at well done photos... sometimes we get both.   Its a matter of taste and what you're in the mood for.   You'll find some celebs who'll do playboy but never hardcore... so yes, Playboy has a place in the adult market place.
They are the original MENS magazine.  MAXIM is the modernized version that is more hip - shorter articles (young people cant read much without brain failure) and no actual nudity - so they can be sold in places that Playboy can't (7-11, Barnes & Noble, Walmart and supermarkets, etc).
I'll admit thou... I've bought fare more MAXIM magazines in the past 7 years than playboy in 15...  Maybe 1, I think vs dozen.