The Video Game History Foundation has recently unveiled its digital library, a treasure trove of gaming heritage featuring a myriad of classic video game magazines, including the esteemed Game Informer. Originally launched in 1991 by FuncoLand, this prominent magazine became a staple of gaming journalism after being acquired by GameStop in 2000. Over the subsequent years, Game Informer stood out in the industry, offering readers comprehensive previews and exclusive interviews with influential game developers.
In a somber turn of events, Game Informer announced its closure in August last year, resulting in the removal of all its online content. This shutdown effectively cut off access to over three decades of invaluable interviews and reviews, including coverage for highly anticipated titles like “Dragon Age: The Veilguard.”In response to this loss, former video producer Ben Hanson has rallied the community to share scans of past issues, aiming to create an online archive.
The Video Game History Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 2017 with the mission to catalog and preserve gaming history, has stepped in to fill this gap. The foundation’s newly launched digital library, which is in early access, boasts an extensive collection of over 30, 000 items from more than 1, 500 out-of-print magazines. This includes a complete archive of every Game Informer issue ever published, alongside other notable publications like the Official US PlayStation Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and PC Gamer, as reported by VGC.
Revisiting Game Informer’s Classic Issues
Beyond magazine articles, the Video Game History Foundation’s library features a wealth of content such as event guides and memorabilia from significant gaming milestones, covering the first 12 years of E3. Users can also explore a global assortment of promotional materials from FromSoftware, which even has the studio’s endorsement for inclusion. Notably, the library offers over 100 hours of footage chronicling the creation of the Myst franchise, alongside the intriguing “Mark Flitman papers, ”which detail the producer’s career at legendary companies like Konami and Atari.
Despite the rise of digital platforms and forums that have largely taken over the role of gaming news and content, many enthusiasts still hold a nostalgic affection for printed publications like Game Informer. The articles crafted over the years are a crucial part of gaming heritage. Thanks to the hard work of the Video Game History Foundation, fans can once again peruse every issue of Game Informer along with a multitude of other gaming magazines and promotional artifacts, all at no cost.
Leave a Reply