The September 1997 issue of PlayStation Magazine featured Final Fantasy VII on its cover, marking the beginning of a publication that would eventually dominate the American market for Sony gaming. Before this launch, the magazine operated as an independent entity known simply as PSM, published by Future plc, the same company behind the UK-based PlayStation Official Magazine. This independence allowed PSM to carve out a unique identity, consistently outselling every other PlayStation-dedicated magazine in both the United States and abroad according to independent ABC audits. The magazine's early success was built on a foundation of genuine enthusiasm for the platform, offering content that felt distinct from the corporate-backed competitors. It was a period of rapid growth for the PlayStation brand, and PSM positioned itself as the voice of the community rather than the voice of the corporation.
A Decade of Independence
Celebrating ten years of publication in 2007, the magazine had undergone several redesigns, with the most recent overhaul occurring in June 2006. During its long run as an independent publication, PSM sponsored side content that extended beyond the printed page, including cover-mounted DVDs, dedicated websites, online forums, and eventually a podcast near the end of its life. The magazine also introduced unique promotional materials that set it apart from its rivals. Instead of the demo discs that the competitor Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine was known for, PSM distributed video game tip sheets and memory card label stickers featuring visual themes similar to the lid-stickers. These lid-stickers were large, circular inserts that could be placed decoratively on the lid of a PlayStation console, often featuring characters from the games covered in the magazine. This approach fostered a sense of ownership and community among readers who customized their hardware with the magazine's branding.The Mascot Era
In the beginning, PSM had an anime-style mascot named Banzai Chibi-Chan, created and illustrated by Robert DeJesus. He was featured prominently in early issues and even inspired apparel and other accessories, becoming a recognizable symbol of the brand. The character was later dropped, with the supposed reason being that the character was too childish and gave some the wrong impression about the magazine's intended audience. A smiley face featuring an eye patch with a star on it was also used, but it too was eventually dropped after the magazine went through redesign in later years. The PSM Smiley Face was notable for its appearance throughout the magazine, as well as on lid-sticker inserts, including one found in the first issue. Some lid-stickers promotionally featured characters from PlayStation games being covered in the magazine, creating a visual language that connected the reader to the games they played.