Games magazine

Games magazine. A premier American periodical dedicated to the world of puzzles and intellectual play, it served as a cornerstone for enthusiasts for decades. Launched in the late 1970s, it blended sophisticated crossword puzzles, innovative brainteasers, and reviews of contemporary board games. The publication was renowned for its annual puzzle competitions and for nurturing a community of solvers and game aficionados.

History

The magazine was founded in 1977 by Will Shortz, who served as its editor during its formative years before moving to The New York Times. Its creation coincided with a surge of interest in recreational puzzles and the growing popularity of games like Rubik's Cube. Initially published by Playboy Enterprises, the magazine later operated under the umbrella of Discover Communications. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it became a cultural touchstone, known for its challenging annual Puzzability contest and its sponsorship of the U.S. Puzzle Team. After several ownership changes, including a period with Games Publications, the print edition ceased in 2014, though its brand and archives continued online.

Content and features

Each issue presented a diverse mix of content, centered on high-quality, original puzzles. This included traditional fare like cryptic crosswords and logic puzzles, alongside unique visual challenges and lateral thinking conundrums. A significant portion was devoted to reviews and strategy for new tabletop games, role-playing games, and video games, often featuring insights from designers like Sid Sackson. Regular departments included "The Games 100," an annual curated list of top games, and "Mindbenders," a section of particularly difficult puzzles. The magazine also published special issues dedicated to themes like the Mensa Select competition or the works of famed constructors such as Henry Hook and Emily Cox.

Editors and contributors

Following the tenure of Will Shortz, the editorial helm was held by figures such as R. Wayne Schmittberger, who also authored several books on games. The staff and contributor roster featured many luminaries from the puzzle world, including constructor Mike Shenk, who later co-founded the puzzle studio Puzzability. Notable writers and editors included John McCollister, Thomas H. Middleton, and David L. Hoyt. The magazine also regularly featured artwork and illustrations from artists like George Booth, whose cartoons appeared in The New Yorker. This collaboration between elite constructors, game critics, and illustrators established a consistent tone of clever, sophisticated entertainment.

Impact and legacy

The publication played a pivotal role in elevating puzzles to a respected mainstream hobby in North America. It was instrumental in popularizing competitive puzzling, directly supporting the National Puzzlers' League and the American representatives at the World Puzzle Championship. Its annual "Games 100" list was highly influential in the board game industry, akin to the impact of Academy Awards lists in film. The magazine's archive remains a valuable resource for puzzle historians and aficionados. Its ethos of intellectual play influenced later digital platforms and communities, including the MIT Mystery Hunt and online puzzle hubs like Puzzling Stack Exchange.

Publication details

Originally published bimonthly, the magazine shifted to a monthly schedule for much of its run. Its ISSN was 0199-9788. For most of its history, its corporate parent was Discover Magazine, Inc., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The editorial offices were based in Stamford, Connecticut. After the cessation of print publication, the brand and its puzzle library were maintained digitally by its final owner, Madavor Media, which also published titles like JazzTimes and Bowhunter.