GMR (magazine)
The first issue of GMR hit the shelves in February 2003. It appeared exclusively inside Electronics Boutique stores across the United States. Ziff-Davis published this monthly magazine on video games. They also produced PC Magazine and Electronic Gaming Monthly. This distribution strategy set it apart from competitors who sold through newsstands or direct mail subscriptions. The magazine covered both PC and console titles, a rarity for multiconsole publications at that time. Funding came directly from the Electronics Boutique chain. This financial backing dictated its entire existence. When GameStop merged with EB Games, the funding source vanished. GameStop already owned Game Informer magazine. Circulation stopped immediately after the merger concluded.
Each month carried a unique title like The Rainbow Issue or The Metal issue. The cover art remained minimalistic compared to glossy competitors. Early covers featured Dead or Alive: Extreme Beach Volleyball and Xenosaga. Later issues shifted focus toward less mainstream titles during its final year. August 2004 displayed four different covers featuring Everquest 2 and Monster Hunter. The January 2005 edition showcased Halo 2 under the name The FPS Issue. The final February 2005 edition highlighted Resident Evil 4 as The last issue. Only subscribers received copies of the twenty-fifth and final issue. Print runs were limited and not all subscribers received the closing edition. The design choices reflected a deliberate break from industry norms.
Readers found the most popular section in the back pages called Game Geezer. An editorial appeared there in almost every single issue. It sounded like an excessively cranky old man dictating his thoughts. Jeff Green wrote this column using a humorous tone. He served as former editor-in-chief for Games for Windows: The Official Magazine. Greg Orlando filled in occasionally when Green was unavailable. Orlando previously edited Xbox Nation. Readers praised the concise opinions regarding the video game industry. They also appreciated arguments about the player community. The persona became well regarded by fans despite its grumpy delivery. This section defined the magazine's voice more than any review ever could.
Games received scores on a scale ranging from one to ten. Postal² and Ping Pals both earned a rare score of zero. A rating of nine or ten counted as excellent work. Scores between seven and eight qualified as good. Four to six indicated mediocre quality. One to three marked bad experiences. All games scoring ten received the GMR Essential Selection logo. Some games scoring nine also earned that distinction. Reviewers added a one- or two-word comment, often a pun on the title. Three lines followed comparing the game to others. Previewers rated excitement levels using a scale of one to five flames. One-flame previews were absent from the publication. Two-flame previews appeared rarely during the run. These specific criteria guided every evaluation published within the pages.
The twenty-fifth issue arrived in February 2005 as the final edition. It was only sent to subscribers without general retail distribution. GameStop merged with EB Games shortly after this date. The funding source for Electronics Boutique disappeared immediately. The fates of the entire staff remain unknown today. James Milkman Mielke transferred to the 1Up.com Network online. Andrew Skip Pfister moved to the same network as well. An online-only Event Quest released shortly after Monster Hunter launched. Players could obtain the GMR Chrome Heart weapon featuring an embossed logo. This item served as a digital tribute to the defunct magazine. No other staff members have been publicly identified since closure.
Common questions
When did the first issue of GMR magazine hit the shelves?
The first issue of GMR magazine hit the shelves in February 2003. Ziff-Davis published this monthly video game magazine exclusively inside Electronics Boutique stores across the United States.
Why did circulation stop for GMR magazine after 2004?
Circulation stopped immediately when GameStop merged with EB Games and the funding source from Electronics Boutique vanished. The final edition arrived in February 2005 as subscribers received copies without general retail distribution.
Who wrote the popular Game Geezer column in GMR magazine?
Jeff Green wrote the Game Geezer column using a humorous tone while serving as former editor-in-chief for Games for Windows: The Official Magazine. Greg Orlando filled in occasionally when Green was unavailable and previously edited Xbox Nation.
What scoring system did reviewers use to rate games in GMR magazine?
Reviewers rated games on a scale ranging from one to ten where scores between seven and eight qualified as good work. All games scoring ten received the GMR Essential Selection logo along with some nine-rated titles.
Which staff members transferred to the 1Up.com Network after GMR closed?
James Milkman Mielke transferred to the 1Up.com Network online following the closure of the publication. Andrew Skip Pfister moved to the same network as well before no other staff members were publicly identified since the end.