bIf you were a passionate gamer before the age of the Internet, chances are you were also an avid reader of gaming magazines. Publications like Crash, Mega, PC Gamer, and the official PlayStation Magazine have been fixtures in the industry since the early 1980s, fostering lively communities through their letter pages. Unfortunately, many of these magazines were not preserved and have been forgotten over time, unlike music and movie publications. As a former game journalist in the 1990s, I recall seeing hundreds of issues of popular game magazines like Super Play and Edge Masters being discarded like trash, which was disheartening.
However, for many veteran gamers and video game enthusiasts, these magazines hold historical significance and provide nostalgic joy. Surviving copies of classic game magazines are highly sought after on platforms like eBay. The Internet Archive features scanned copies of these magazines, but legal issues with copyright owners can limit access.
Fortunately, there are organizations dedicated to preserving game magazines. The Video Game History Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on preserving gaming history, recently announced the launch of a digital archive where enthusiasts can read and study magazines online. This archive will eventually include over 1,500 issues of US game magazines, art books, and other printed materials, all fully searchable for easy access to information on gaming history.
In a recent video introducing the archive, VGHF Library Filsalbador stated: “Whether you are a die-hard fan or just a curious observer, there is something for everyone.”
The VGHF, founded in 2017 by game historian Frank Cifaldi, is working to create archives that academic institutions and museums can use to study gaming history. While the focus has traditionally been on preserving games themselves, there is a growing recognition that magazines offer valuable context. John Hardman, creative director and co-CEO of the National Video Game Museum in Sheffield, notes that game magazines provide insights into players’ relationships with video games, serving as a time capsule of gaming culture.
Game magazines often reflect the specific demographics of their audience, showcasing industry trends and cultural norms. Advertisements from the 1990s to the early 2000s frequently depicted women in revealing outfits, even for genres like military shooters and strategy sims. This marketing strategy targeted teenage male audiences, as explained by museum curator Anne Wayne. The content of these magazines offers a unique perspective on the gaming community and the discussions and trends of the time.
Both VGHF and the National Video Game Museum rely on donations to continue their preservation efforts. Recently, the museum received a complete collection of PC Gamer magazines from a generous collector, including all cover demo disks and inserts. Magazine publishers also play a crucial role in preservation, as seen with Future Publishing’s archival efforts.
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Reflecting on the history of video games, it’s clear that the industry’s trajectory was not always straightforward. Game magazines challenged the notion that technological superiority guarantees success, offering a less linear perspective on the industry’s evolution. As you explore the VGHF digital archive, you’ll see that the success of consoles like the Sega Mega Drive, PlayStation, and Nintendo Wii was not always a foregone conclusion. In times of uncertainty for the gaming industry, these magazines serve as vital historical records, shedding light on a complex and ever-evolving landscape.
Source: www.theguardian.com
