During the time period featured in the exhibit, video games quickly became a fast growing industry with numerous consoles and games of different genres being released to the public. The magazines in this collection display the evolution of the gaming industry and consoles throughout the mid 1990s to the early 2000s. The Cutting Edge magazine issue from Spring 1996 focused on new and upcoming technological advancements and how consumers could best take advantage of new hardware in the gaming industry. Video Games Underground was more centered around entertainment software, and featured game previews for new and upcoming games so buyers could be better informed of the contents. It also included console cheats and game strategies, and took a non-traditional approach in featuring mature games for older player demographics. PlayStation Official Magazine revolved around Sony’s PlayStation line of consoles and products, including the Playstation, Playstation 2 and the Playstation Portable System (PSP). Information about PlayStation games was included in the contents of the magazine, as well as game reviews and strategic guides. Together, these publications show a subsection of culture encapsulated by fast technological growth, exciting new forms of entertainment, and a rapidly developing industry. 

The Cutting Edge was a sub-series, special issue magazine presented by GamePro magazine. These issues did not have a normal publishing schedule, and were not included in the numbering scheme for GamePro magazines. This issue from Spring 1996 was a buyers guide that included information about the latest gaming systems to help readers decide which system would best fit their needs. During this time, gaming systems were rapidly developing and becoming more powerful, featuring new 32 and 64 bit processing systems, and there was a wide variety of consoles available on the market. This magazine provided information and recommendations from the editors regarding systems like PlayStation, Saturn, Virtual Boy, and more. In addition to system information, there were over 200 game previews featured in this issue.

Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (OPM) released its first issue in October of 1997, two years after Sony’s PlayStation first debuted in the United States. This magazine was published by Ziff Davis Inc., who previously published a widely successful unofficial PlayStation magazine called PlayStation Experience, otherwise known as P.S.X.. OPM was licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment, and was published for ten years with the final issue released in January 2007.

OPM was a monthly issued magazine featuring information about Sony game platforms, such as the PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and the PlayStation Portable System (PSP). In addition to Sony game platforms, articles about new PlayStation games, game reviews, strategic guides, and new technology were also featured. OPM came with a demo disc that included playable game demos and game previews for both United States and international upcoming games. 

This particular issue was the first published issue in the United States. Inside, contents include information about games such as Ghost in the Shell and Final Fantasy VII, as well as a Top 20 list of the best-selling games of the month. Also featured was news about upcoming developments, game strategies for Time Crisis, and reviews for Final Fantasy VII, GameDay 98, and Abe’s Oddyssey. The demo disc for this issue included playable game demos for PaRappa, AceCombat 2, and more, as well as previews for upcoming United States game releases and international games.

Video Games Underground was a bi-monthly publication that featured game previews, strategy guides, and cheat guides for popular gaming consoles at the time. This magazine offered information about the latest games and helpful tips and strategies for completing them. The front cover of the magazine refers to itself as “The source for next generation gamers,” and the letter from the editor on the back of the issue discusses the changing landscape of the gaming industry at the time. Video Games Underground aimed to provide a platform for video game publishers that released non-traditional and mature themed games for older players. For example, Rockstar Games, as mentioned in the letter from the editor on the back of this issue, had just released “State of Emergency,” with the cover calling it “the most controversial game ever!”

Tabletop Gaming Magazines

Also during this time period, numerous tabletop and trading card collecting games flourished. Magazines such as Inside Chess, the Duelist, and InQuest (also known as InQuest Gamer in its later publication years) gave game players a space to connect, comment on, and learn more about the games they were playing. These magazines were born out of a need for players to discuss events happening in their gaming spaces. Inside Chess was known for player commentary from Grand Masters of the chess world. It also included players from the former Yugoslavia during the Balkan War years and helped the chess community come together during the end of the Cold War. Both Duelist and InQuest began their publication focusing on the extremely popular Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Towards the end of publication for both magazines they pivoted to include other trading card games both past and present.

Inside Chess was an important bi-weekly publication, published by International Chess Enterprise, Inc. and based out of Seattle, Washington. This magazine was edited by Yasser Seirawan, a Syrian-American chess Grand Master. Seirawan has written numerous books about chess, has an opening move named after him, the Seirawan attack, and is known today for providing excellent commentary in live broadcasts of chess matches.

Seirawan adds a layer of spice to the dryness of chess match breakdowns. His tongue in cheek writing style makes readers feel like they are in conversation with him. The magazine features an “Inside News” section featuring short reports from around the world. The magazine lastly features a “Tactics, Tactics, and More Tactics” section by a guest contributor and sometimes the editor, that offers attacks and defenses as a way to teach readers how to better their games. Inside Chess began publishing towards the end of the Cold War. It brought together known members of the chess community from around the globe and fostered a sense of community amongst both chess enthusiasts as well as top players. It feels like a gathering of players discussing the latest tournament over coffee together. Inside Chess celebrated women’s championships and Grand Masters. Inside Chess included players from former Yugoslavia during the time of the wars dividing the region at the time.

The Duelist was a trading card gaming magazine published from 1993 to 1999. It was published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc. to accompany the popular Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The magazine featured articles on strategies, game design, rules questions, product launches and checklists, Magic tournaments, and even a Magic themed comic strip. Also unique to the magazine was a featured artist. This artist would design a cover based on an existing Magic card as well as have art featured throughout their issue. Unfortunately, this art was discontinued towards the end of the magazine’s publication.

Occasionally, the magazine would give out promotional cards. After the first few years of publication, the magazine started including other up and coming card games. Eventually the magazine lost focus on Magic: the Gathering. The Duelist was discontinued when the publishing company was bought by Hasbro, who ended the publication. This magazine came about at a time before easy access to the internet when Magic fans needed a place to discuss the game with other friends and fans. It offered a way to connect with other people and share ideas. It also helped clarify rules and offered new Magic players articles to help them with their games. While The Duelist was a shorter lived publication, it captured a moment of time, a national craze, and provided a platform for learning, connection, and growth of skills.

InQuest Gamer, previously known as InQuest, was a monthly magazine that was published by Wizard Entertainment. InQuest was published between 1995 and 2007. At the beginning of publication, the magazine centered around collectible card games. The subject matter included, but was not limited to, Magic: The Gathering. The magazine included letters to the editors, reader contests, articles about gaming rules, what collectibles were hot at the moment, individual game card evaluations, reviews of upcoming games as well as "blasts from the past".

The magazine also included numerous advertisements as well as order forms. The magazine was known for including "hypothetical" cards. In one instance, a card unlocked an unreleased color leading readers to speculate that this hypothetical card was an Easter egg to an upcoming sixth color. InQuest was also well known for mailing out special cards to subscribers that were not included in the issues available for purchase at local gaming retail stores. The magazine ceased publication in 2007, later than some of its competitors. The writing style skews towards entertainment, conversational, and humorous which led to a large subscriber base.