Journalist reporting and evaluation of video games in periodicals began from the late 1970s to 1980 in general coin-operated industry magazines like Play Meter[1] and RePlay,[2] home entertainment magazines like Video,[3] as well as magazines focused on computing and new information technologies like InfoWorld or Popular Electronics.[4]
However, dedicated magazines focusing primarily on video game journalism wouldn't appear until late in 1981, when several magazines were launched independently of each other at about the same time. Computer and Video Games premiered in the U.K. in November 1981.[5] It was soon followed by Electronic Games in the US, founded by Bill Kunkel, Arnie Katz and Joyce Worley, who had previously written the "Arcade Alley" column in Video.[6] While Electronic Games covered arcade and console games as well as computer software, Computer Gaming World was focused entirely on the latter.[7] The video game crash of 1983 badly hurt the market for North American video game magazines. Computer Gaming World, founded in 1981, stated in 1987 that it was the only survivor of 18 color magazines for computer games in 1984.[8]
Meanwhile, in Japan, the first magazines entirely dedicated to video games began appearing from 1982, beginning with ASCII's LOGiN, followed by several SoftBank publications and Kadokawa Shoten's Comptiq. The first magazine dedicated to console games, or a specific video game console, was Tokuma Shoten's Family Computer Magazine, which began in 1985 and was focused on Nintendo's Family Computer (Nintendo Entertainment System in the West). This magazine later spawned famous imitators such as Famicom Tsuushin (loosely, "Famicom Journal") in 1986 (now known today as Famitsu) and Nintendo Power in 1988.[9]
In the mid-2000s, the popularity of print-based magazines started to wane in favor of web-based magazines.[10] In 2006, Eurogamer's business development manager Pat Garratt wrote a criticism of those in print games journalism who had not adapted to the web, drawing on his own prior experience in print to offer an explanation of both the challenges facing companies like Future Publishing and why he believed they had not overcome them.[11]
Failed attempt at introducing GameStar brand in Poland. Eight issues released in 2003 before first cancellation, then 3 more in 2005 and 3 between 2009 and 2011.
PlayStation related topics, successor to Ziff Davis' OPM upon discontinuation of PSM
PlayStation Official Magazine (Italy) (previously: Ufficiale PlayStation Magazine [1996–2000]; Ufficiale PlayStation 2 Magazine [2000–2002]; PlayStation 2 Magazine Ufficiale [2002–2006]; PlayStation Magazine Ufficiale [2006–2012])
2002
2019
Italy
Il Mio Castello (1996–2000) Future Media Italy (2000–2002) Play Media Company (2002–2012) Lunasia Edizioni (2013–present)
Italian PlayStation related topics
PLAY Magazine (previously: PlayStation Official Magazine – UK [2006–2021])
^The last year of publication, if the magazine is defunct; if the print edition of a magazine brand is discontinued, the magazine is listed as defunct.
^Country of publication; if a magazine was circulated in multiple countries, only the country of origin is given.
^The name of the publisher; if the publisher changed during a publication's run, all publishers are given with their respective publication years in brackets.
^Brief summary of the general range of topics, platforms and genres covered.
^ abcdeArsenault, Dominic (2017). Super Power, Spoony Bards, and Silverware: The Super Nintendo Entertainment System. MIT Press. pp. 65–66. ISBN978-0-2623-4150-9.
^"The Video Game With Media Potential". Japan Quarterly. The Asahi Shimbun: 295–296 (296). 1986. A magazine introducing game software for the Famikon, called Family Computer Magazine, has also appeared, selling over 1 million copies of each semimonthly issue.
^"10 Years of Game Informer". Game Informer. GameStop. August 2001. p. 42. In August 1991, Funcoland began publishing a six-page circular to be handed out free in all of its retail locations.
^"We Are Going Live!". GamesReviews. January 1, 2013. We are starting GamesReviews.com from the 1st of January 2013. We aim to deliver best quality game reviews for all Gamers in the World. Our Reviews are written by real players that's why we can ensure accurate game ratings and best quality content.
^"Editorial de presentación en el que no decimos a nadie el hueco que venimos a llenar" [Introduction editorial in which we tell no one the niche that we come to fill]. Micromania (in Spanish). 1. Madrid, Spain: 5. 1985.