Retro Gamer became the first commercial magazine in history to devote its entire existence to the subject of retro video games, launching in January 2004 as a quarterly publication before quickly evolving into a monthly periodical. This pioneering status emerged at a time when the gaming industry was shifting focus toward modern hardware, leaving the nostalgic community without a dedicated commercial voice. The magazine's creators recognized a gap in the market for a publication that treated vintage gaming with the same seriousness as contemporary releases, rather than treating it as a fleeting trend. By the time the magazine transitioned to monthly issues, it had already established a reputation for deep dives into the history of gaming that no other publication was attempting to replicate. The early issues included a coverdisk with freeware remakes of retro games and emulators, allowing readers to experience the games they read about rather than simply learning about them. Some themed CDs even contained entire back catalogs from publishers like Durell, Llamasoft, and Gremlin Graphics, effectively creating a portable museum of gaming history in the mail. This approach transformed the magazine from a simple publication into an interactive archive that preserved the gaming experience for future generations.
The Collapse And Rescue
On the 27th of September 2005, the magazine's original publishing company, Live Publishing, went into bankruptcy, threatening to erase the first commercial voice for retro gaming from existence. The magazine's official online forums described the publication as finished shortly before issue 19 was due for release, creating a moment of uncertainty for the growing community of retro gaming enthusiasts. However, rights to Retro Gamer were purchased by Imagine Publishing in October 2005, and the magazine was re-launched on the 8th of December 2005, ensuring its survival. When Live Publishing collapsed, freelance writers from the magazine banded together to create Retro Survival, a commercial CD retro games magazine published in November 2005. This emergency publication contained articles that would have appeared in issue 19, along with several extras including a foreword by celebrity games journalist Mr Biffo. The transition from Live Publishing to Imagine Publishing marked a critical turning point in the magazine's history, demonstrating the resilience of the retro gaming community and the importance of preserving gaming history. The magazine's survival allowed it to continue its mission of documenting and celebrating the golden age of video games, which might otherwise have been lost to time.
The Making Of Legends
The magazine's Making Of features became legendary for interviewing well-known developers about the creation and design process behind their games, creating a unique historical record of the industry's creative process. Classic titles covered in past issues included Breakout by Steve Wozniak, Dungeon Master by Doug Bell, and Smash TV by Eugene Jarvis, among many others. The magazine also featured profiles of games like Starfox by Jez San, Rescue on Fractalus! by David Fox and Charlie Kellner, and Prince of Persia by Jordan Mechner. These interviews provided unprecedented insight into the development of iconic games, revealing the struggles and triumphs of the creators behind them. The magazine also covered games like Berzerk by Alan McNeil, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Steve Meretzky, and Crystal Castles by Franz X. Lanzinger. These features went beyond simple reviews, offering a deep dive into the creative process that shaped the gaming industry. The magazine's approach to these interviews set a new standard for gaming journalism, treating game development as a legitimate field of study worthy of serious academic attention. This approach helped preserve the stories of game developers who might otherwise have been forgotten, ensuring their contributions to the industry were recognized and celebrated.
In March 2010, issue 75 saw John Romero collaborating with Retro Gamer, taking on the role of Guest Editor and taking charge of the magazine's editorial direction. Romero, a legendary figure in the gaming industry known for his work on Doom and Quake, brought his own unique style to a number of his favorite articles and subjects throughout the magazine. This collaboration marked a significant moment in the magazine's history, as it brought together two generations of gaming culture in a way that had never been attempted before. The magazine also featured interviews with leading 80s and 90s programmers such as David Crane, Matthew Smith, and Archer Maclean, creating a bridge between the past and present of gaming. Regular columns like Back to the 80s and 90s, Desert Island Disks, and From the Archives provided readers with a comprehensive view of the gaming landscape. The magazine's approach to these features helped establish it as a trusted source for gaming history, with readers coming to expect in-depth coverage of both classic and contemporary games. This strategy allowed the magazine to maintain its relevance while honoring the legacy of the games that had come before.
The Digital Evolution
The magazine's transition to digital formats began with three DVDs containing 25 to 30 issues each, including Retro Gamer eMag Load 1 with issues 1 to 30, Retro Gamer eMag Load 2 with issues 31 to 55, and Retro Gamer eMag Load 3 with issues 56 to 80. These digital releases allowed readers to access the magazine's extensive back catalog in a format that was more accessible than the original print versions. The magazine later became available as an iOS app, downloadable onto iPhone and iPad, ensuring that its content remained accessible to new generations of readers. The magazine also posts its own issue preview videos on its YouTube channel, featuring editor Darran Jones and Production Editor Drew Sleep as hosts. This digital evolution allowed the magazine to reach a wider audience while maintaining the quality and depth of its content. The transition to digital formats also allowed the magazine to preserve its content for future generations, ensuring that the stories and interviews contained within would not be lost to time. The magazine's ability to adapt to changing technology while maintaining its core mission of preserving gaming history demonstrated its commitment to the subject.
The 200th Issue Milestone
The magazine celebrated its 200th issue in October 2019, marking a significant milestone in its history and demonstrating its longevity in the competitive world of gaming journalism. As of March 2023, the staff consisted of Editor Darran Jones, Production Editor Tim Empey, Features Editor Nick Thorpe, and Art Editor Andy Salter. The magazine's ability to reach this milestone was a testament to its commitment to quality and its ability to adapt to changing times. The magazine also won Best Magazine at the 2010 Games Media Awards, recognizing its contributions to the field of gaming journalism. This award was a significant achievement for the magazine, as it validated the importance of retro gaming as a legitimate field of study and entertainment. The magazine's success in reaching 200 issues also demonstrated the enduring appeal of retro gaming, with readers continuing to engage with the magazine's content long after its initial launch. The magazine's ability to maintain its relevance while honoring the legacy of the games that had come before was a testament to its commitment to the subject.