Electronic Gaming Monthly

Electronic Gaming Monthly
Title	Electronic Gaming Monthly
Category	Video game journalism
Firstdate	1988
Country	United States
Language	English

Electronic Gaming Monthly Electronic Gaming Monthly began publication in 1988 as a United States-based periodical dedicated to console and handheld video game coverage. Over multiple decades it intersected with major Nintendo, Sega, and Sony releases while reporting on franchises such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy. The magazine’s run involved offices, staff turnover, and corporate changes that reflected broader shifts in journalism tied to companies like Ziff Davis, Ego, and later independent ventures.

History

Founded in 1988 amid the rise of the Nintendo Entertainment System and the waning of the Atari 2600, the magazine launched into a market dominated by print titles covering consoles and arcades. Early issues focused on coverage of the Nintendo licensing era, reviews of titles for systems including the Game Boy, and analysis of hardware such as the Sega Genesis. In the 1990s the publication navigated competition with periodicals like GamePro, Nintendo Power, and Computer Gaming World while chronicling transitions to the 32-bit generation led by Sony PlayStation and the 64-bit era initiated by Nintendo 64. Corporate ownership changes mirrored industry consolidation involving publishers and retailers, and the title experienced hiatuses and relaunch attempts during the 2000s and 2010s as online outlets such as IGN, GameSpot, and Kotaku reshaped distribution. Revival initiatives sought to align print traditions with digital platforms tied to console cycles embodied by PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and handheld shifts toward Nintendo Switch.

Editorial Staff and Contributors

The magazine’s editorial roster included writers, editors, and freelancers who also contributed to outlets like Game Informer and PC Gamer. Key figures moved between companies such as Ziff Davis and independent projects, collaborating with illustrators and photographers who had worked on covers celebrating franchises like Metroid Prime and Halo. Regular contributors reviewed titles from studios including Square Enix, Capcom, Konami, and Nintendo EPD, and interviewed developers from companies such as Rare, Naughty Dog, and Bungie. Columnists often engaged with award events like the E3 trade show and the Game Developers Conference, providing firsthand reporting and analyses.

Format and Content

Issues typically featured multi-page reviews, previews, strategy guides, and hardware coverage for consoles including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation 2, and later the Xbox 360. The magazine ran dedicated sections for cheat codes, walkthroughs for series like Resident Evil and Pokemon, and feature stories investigating development cycles at studios such as SquareSoft and Capcom Production Studio 1. Regular content included quarterly buyer’s guides, end-of-year awards that highlighted titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Grand Theft Auto V, and cover stories timed to major launches from Sony Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft Studios.

Circulation and Distribution

Distribution relied on newsstand sales and subscription services in North America with circulation peaks during the 1990s console wars between Nintendo and Sega. International readers often accessed U.S. issues through import outlets or region-specific editions associated with publishers like Future plc in other markets. As digital distribution grew, readership shifted toward online archives and paid digital subscriptions comparable to services used by Wired and other legacy magazines adapting to web portfolios. Advertising partnerships reflected commercial relationships with hardware manufacturers such as Sega of America and major retailers stocking launch-day inventory, and circulation figures were affected by broader print media declines.

Reception and Influence

Critics and historians of gaming media cite the magazine for shaping consumer expectations during console generation transitions and for influencing coverage standards later adopted by outlets like Eurogamer and Polygon. Its review scores and previews could affect pre-launch buzz for franchises including Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy VII, and its editorial choices often intersected with the coverage strategies used at industry events like E3. Academics studying media ecosystems reference its issues as primary sources documenting developer interviews, advertising practices, and community responses to releases such as Halo: Combat Evolved.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Across its history the publication encountered disputes over leaked content, review embargoes, and claims of advertiser influence reminiscent of controversies involving other outlets like GameSpot and IGN. High-profile incidents included disputes about prematurely published screenshots or perceived review-score shopping tied to advertiser relationships with publishers such as Electronic Arts and Ubisoft. Legal tensions arose in some cases over unauthorized distribution of preview material and copyright claims related to proprietary media from developers like Rare Ltd. and Nintendo Co., Ltd..

Legacy and Revival Attempts

The magazine’s legacy persists in the archival value of its print issues for researchers and collectors who trade back issues on secondary markets alongside memorabilia from events like E3 and the Tokyo Game Show. Revival attempts in the late 2000s and mid-2010s aimed to blend nostalgia with contemporary web delivery, often invoking partnerships with independent publishers and freelance networks tied to former staff who had worked at Ziff Davis and other media groups. Its influence can be traced in the stylistic and editorial templates used by modern outlets covering launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and next-generation indie publishing movements exemplified by studios such as Supergiant Games.

Category:Video game magazines