Uncovering Forgotten Fandoms: The Enduring Significance of Retro Gaming Magazines in Cultural Heritage
Before the internet, gamers relied heavily on games magazines to stay informed about the latest developments in the industry. These publications not only provided news and reviews but also fostered a sense of community through their lively letters pages. However, many of these magazines were carelessly discarded, with some even being pulped for recycling.
A Vital Historical Resource
It’s now clear that old games magazines are more than just nostalgic relics; they hold significant cultural value as a historical resource. Surviving copies of classic mags are highly sought after on eBay, and while the Internet Archive contains scanned collections, it is vulnerable to legal challenges from copyright holders.
The Video Game History Foundation: Preserving Games Magazines
The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has taken steps to address this issue by digitizing its entire collection of out-of-print magazines. The organization’s digital archive will be fully tagged and searchable, allowing researchers to easily track down specific information.
The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) was established in 2015 by a group of video game historians and enthusiasts.
The foundation's primary goal is to preserve and document the history of the 'video game industry'.
VGHF has collected over 10,000 artifacts, including vintage consoles, games, and documents.
These artifacts are stored in a climate-controlled archive facility, providing a unique resource for researchers and 'historians'.
According to Phil Salvador, ‘We wanted to make something that’s going to be useful and easy for anyone studying video game history.’ This initiative is part of a growing trend among archives, academic institutions, and museums dedicated to preserving games history.
The first computer game, 'Tennis for Two,' was created in 1958 by physicist William Higinbotham.
The first home console, the Magnavox Odyssey, was released in 1972.
Arcades became popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s with games like Pong and 'Space Invaders'.
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revolutionized the industry in the 1980s, followed by the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.
Modern gaming has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar market with advancements in graphics, online multiplayer, and virtual reality.
Magazines as a Window into the Past
Games magazines not only provide context but also offer a unique perspective on player culture. They often reflected the demographics and interests of their target audience, with many adverts featuring skimpily dressed women or emphasizing premium rate video game tips lines. The letters pages also reveal conversations around games, contextualizing them in a way that playing them cannot.
Player culture refers to the shared attitudes, behaviors, and values among individuals who engage in gaming activities.
It encompasses various aspects, including online etiquette, community norms, and competitive behavior.
The rise of esports has further amplified player culture, with teams and players developing distinct identities and rivalries.
According to a survey, 70% of gamers believe that player culture is essential for a positive gaming experience.
Studies also show that strong team cohesion can improve performance by up to 20%.
As the gaming industry continues to grow, understanding and promoting healthy player culture becomes increasingly important.
As John O’Shea, creative director and co-CEO of the National Videogame Museum, notes, ‘Video game magazines are often representative of people’s relationships to video games – they accompany that journey.’ By examining these publications, researchers can gain insight into particular trends and narratives, what gets emphasized, and what doesn’t.
Preservation Efforts: A Growing Importance
Both the VGHF and the National Videogame Museum rely on donations to preserve their collections. The latter has recently received an almost complete collection of PC Gamer from a collector who also kept all the cover demo discs and inserts. This work is crucial, as magazine publishers themselves often have patchy records on preservation.
In conclusion, old games magazines are more than just nostalgic artifacts; they hold significant cultural value as a historical resource. By preserving these publications, we can gain a deeper understanding of player culture, industry trends, and the complexities of video game history. As O’Shea notes, ‘Video game magazines provide a lot of resistance to that very linear idea of history.’
