In September 1992, four men named Tim Lindquist, Greg Off, George Weising, and Dave Halverson launched a magazine that would redefine how video games were presented to the public. They called it Diehard GameFan, a name borrowed from a Japanese Sega publication called Megafan, but their vision was far more ambitious than a simple translation. The magazine began as an advertising supplement designed to sell imported Japanese video games, yet it quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon that prioritized passion over polish. Unlike its American competitors, which often used small text and dry descriptions, GameFan featured massive, colorful screenshots that allowed readers to see the games in all their glory. The editors even drew caricatures of themselves, including a staff member named Terry Wolfinger, to create a sense of community and humor. This approach allowed writers like Dave Halverson to pen multiple reviews of the same game under different pseudonyms, creating a playful, almost chaotic atmosphere that resonated with gamers who felt ignored by mainstream media. By 2000, the magazine had achieved a monthly print circulation of over 100,000, proving that a niche audience could sustain a publication with such a distinct voice.
The Racial Fiasco That Almost Killed It
The September 1995 issue of GameFan contained a paragraph of text so offensive it nearly destroyed the magazine's reputation overnight. The article, which was supposed to review the sports game College Football '96, instead featured a self-degrading racial comment calling the writers "poor white trash from So CA" and derogatory remarks about Japanese people, referring to them as "little Jap bastards." The text was actually filler that had been accidentally left in the layout, intended as an internal joke that never made it to the final draft. The magazine's official explanation claimed a rogue employee had sabotaged the publication to alienate its Japanese fanbase, but later reports revealed the truth: it was a careless oversight. An apology was published in the October 1995 issue, written in both English and Japanese, acknowledging the mistake and expressing regret. The incident highlighted the magazine's tendency to blur the lines between satire and reality, a trait that often made it a target for criticism but also cemented its reputation as a publication that did not take itself too seriously. The controversy also underscored the magazine's deep connection to the Japanese gaming community, which was a core part of its identity and audience.Monitaur and the War of Magazines
The magazine's comic strip, The Adventures of Monitaur, became a beloved feature that personified the staff and their rivalries. The title character, Monitaur, was an anime-derived figure who fought against The Blowmeister, a character representing the leadership of rival magazines like Electronic Gaming Monthly. In 1994, GameFan and two new startups, Dark Moon Productions and Dark Moon Comics, entered into an agreement to launch a Monitor comic book series, with discussions underway to produce a full-length animated movie. The comic strip allowed the magazine to explore its own mythology, with staff members appearing as characters and storylines reflecting real-world conflicts. The Adventures of Monitaur was not just a comic; it was a narrative device that allowed the editors to critique the industry while entertaining their readers. The strip's success demonstrated the magazine's ability to create a world beyond the pages, one where gamers could see themselves reflected in the stories and characters. The comic's popularity also led to the development of strategy guides and other merchandise, further expanding the magazine's influence and reach.