Retro Gamer
Retro Gamer launched in January 2004 as a quarterly publication. It became the first commercial magazine devoted entirely to retro video games. The editors quickly realized that readers wanted more content than four issues per year could provide. They transitioned the schedule from quarterly to monthly within the first year of operation. This shift allowed for deeper dives into specific eras and genres without waiting months between releases. The early issues focused on establishing a voice that respected the history of gaming while remaining accessible to new audiences.
On the 27th of September 2005, Live Publishing went into bankruptcy due to a general decline in gaming and computer magazine readership. The magazine's official online forums described the project as finished shortly before issue number nineteen was scheduled for release. Rights to Retro Gamer were purchased by Imagine Publishing in October 2005. The magazine re-launched on the 8th of December 2005 under its new ownership. Freelance writers later compiled Retro Survival, a commercial CD magazine released in November 2005 containing articles intended for the missing issue. A foreword by celebrity games journalist Mr Biffo accompanied this emergency publication effort.
The first eighteen issues included a coverdisk with freeware remakes of retro video games and emulators. Some discs featured themed collections such as the entire back catalogue of Durell or Llamasoft. Other issues contained free commercial PC software like The Games Factory and The Elder Scrolls: Arena. Videos also appeared on these discs alongside playable content. This physical media approach allowed readers to experience old games directly rather than just reading about them. The inclusion of full publisher catalogues turned each disc into a portable museum of interactive history.
Regular columns featured interviews with leading programmers from the 1980s and 1990s including David Crane and Matthew Smith. Archer Maclean also contributed his perspective on game design during that era. The Making Of feature interviewed well-known developers about the creation process behind their titles. Classic examples include Breakout by Steve Wozniak and Dungeon Master by Doug Bell. Starfox received coverage through Jez San while Tetris was explored via Alexey Pajitnov. These conversations revealed technical challenges and creative decisions hidden from public view at the time of release.
March 2010 marked issue number seventy-five when John Romero collaborated with Retro Gamer as Guest Editor. He took charge of editorial duties and applied his unique style to favorite articles throughout the magazine. A tribute to Zzap!64 titled The DEF Tribute to Zzap!64 appeared in June 2004 celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Commodore 64 focused publication. Issue forty-eight released in February 2008 contained an exclusive interview with Manic Miner creator Matthew Smith written by freelancer Paul Drury after a visit to Smith's family home in Liverpool. These special issues demonstrated how guest editors could reshape the magazine's tone for specific audiences.
Three DVDs containing twenty-five to thirty issues each were released over the years including Retro Gamer eMag Load one covering issues one to thirty. The magazine became available as an iOS app downloadable onto iPhone and iPad devices. Staff members included Editor Darran Jones and Production Editor Tim Empey alongside Features Editor Nick Thorpe and Art Editor Andy Salter as of March 2023. The publication won Best Magazine at the 2010 Games Media Awards. Future plc acquired Imagine Publishing on the 21st of October 2016 bringing Retro Gamer under new corporate ownership while maintaining its editorial independence.
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Common questions
When did Retro Gamer magazine launch?
Retro Gamer launched in January 2004 as a quarterly publication. It became the first commercial magazine devoted entirely to retro video games.
What happened to Retro Gamer on the 27th of September 2005?
Live Publishing went into bankruptcy due to a general decline in gaming and computer magazine readership on the 27th of September 2005. The magazine's official online forums described the project as finished shortly before issue number nineteen was scheduled for release.
Who purchased rights to Retro Gamer after Live Publishing collapsed?
Rights to Retro Gamer were purchased by Imagine Publishing in October 2005. The magazine re-launched on the 8th of December 2005 under its new ownership.
What content appeared on the coverdisk included with early issues of Retro Gamer?
The first eighteen issues included a coverdisk with freeware remakes of retro video games and emulators. Some discs featured themed collections such as the entire back catalogue of Durell or Llamasoft alongside free commercial PC software like The Games Factory and The Elder Scrolls: Arena.
Which developers contributed interviews to Retro Gamer columns during the 1980s and 1990s?
Regular columns featured interviews with leading programmers from the 1980s and 1990s including David Crane and Matthew Smith. Archer Maclean also contributed his perspective on game design during that era.
When did Future plc acquire Retro Gamer through purchasing Imagine Publishing?
Future plc acquired Imagine Publishing on the 21st of October 2016 bringing Retro Gamer under new corporate ownership while maintaining its editorial independence.