I think that yes, they are doing it to pad out the magazine.
I guess they can't think of any more word searches.
I think the comics in the magazine have been a standard 6 pages, but I suspect that most of their energy is being directed to creating more toys, as opposed to club-like-stuff, so they are trying to 'fill' the magazine in the easiest way possible.
When was the last time they actually had an interview with someone from Hasbro about the line? They could have had some major news in regards to the 'Beast Hunters' bizzo for Prime. That would have been a great interview (one would hope). Completely missing the boat in all aspects as I see it.