PC Gamer

{{More citations needed|date=November 2024}}{{short description|British-American video game magazine}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox magazine | title = PC Gamer | logo = | logo_size =  | image_file = PC Gamer logo (2015-present).svg | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = Logo since July 2015 | editor =  | editor_title =  | previous_editor = | staff_writer = | photographer = | category = PC gaming, video games | frequency = Monthly | format = | circulation = | publisher = Future plc | paid_circulation = | unpaid_circulation = | circulation_year = | total_circulation = | founder = | founded = | firstdate = {{start date and age|1993|11|df=yes}} | finaldate =  | finalnumber = | company = | country = United Kingdom | based = | language = English | website = {{URL|pcgamer.com}} | issn = 1080-4471 | oclc = 680447102 }}

'''''PC Gamer''''' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games magazines in their respective countries.<ref name="background_uk" /><ref name="presskit" /> The magazine features news on developments in the video game industry, previews of new games, and reviews of the latest popular PC games, along with other features relating to hardware, mods, "classic" games and various other topics. ''PC Gamer'' and parent Future began digital ''PC Gaming Show'' at E3 2015.<ref name="W4TIS" />

== Review system == ''PC Gamer'' reviews are written by the magazine's editors and freelance writers, and rate games on a percent scale. In August 2023, ''Baldur's Gate 3'' became the first game to receive a rating of 97% in the UK edition.<ref name="uj9QV" /> Prior to this, no game was awarded more than 96% by the UK edition (''Kerbal Space Program'', ''Civilization II'', ''Half-Life'', ''Half-Life 2'', ''Minecraft'', ''Spelunky'' and ''Quake II''). In the US edition, no game has yet received a rating higher than 98% (''Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri'', ''Half-Life 2'', and ''Crysis'').<ref name="pcgamer.com1" />

In the UK edition, the lowest numerical score was 2%, awarded to ''Big Brother: The Game''. The sequel, ''Big Brother 2'', was given an even lower score of N/A%, the review explaining that "We'll put the same effort into giving it a mark as they've made creating the game."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Big Brother 2 |magazine=PC Gamer |issue=101 |page=95 |last=Curran |first=Ste |date=October 2001}}</ref> In issue 255, August 2013, the score of 2% was matched by the review of the re-released ''Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude'', originally given 3% when it first launched. In the US edition, the lowest score awarded was 4%, given to ''Mad Dog McCree'', unseating the previously lowest-rated game, ''Skydive!'', given 5%.<ref name="pcgamer.com1" />

== Editions == There are two main editions of ''PC Gamer'', a British version and an American version, both are published by Future plc. Founded in the United Kingdom in November 1993, the American sister version was launched a few months later in June 1994.<ref name="background_uk" />

There are also numerous local editions that mainly use the materials of one of the two editions, typically the British one, including a Malaysian (discontinued in December 2011) and Russian edition (discontinued in December 2008). The Swedish edition, though rooted in its UK counterpart, has grown to be more independent, largely due to the immense popularity of PC games compared to console games in Sweden, and now produces most of its own material. An Australian edition was published monthly by Perth-based Conspiracy Publishing since August 1998, but it appears to have been discontinued in mid-late 2004. A Spanish edition titled "''PC Juegos y Jugadores''" also existed, but closed in 2007.<ref name="0qbCf" />

Both American and British magazines are published thirteen times per year (twice in December),<ref name="background_uk" /> although there are sometimes variations.

In 2018, Future purchased Australian video game magazine and website ''PC PowerPlay'' from nextmedia, incorporating ''PC PowerPlay'' articles into the online version of ''PC Gamer''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2018 |title=Future acquires nextmedia brands including PC PowerPlay {{!}} Media Mergers |url=http://www.mediamergers.co.uk/future-acquires-nextmedia-brands-including-pc-powerplay/ |access-date=21 December 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Australia, PC PowerPlay is now part of the PC Gamer family |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/australia-pc-powerplay-is-now-part-of-the-pc-gamer-family/#comment-jump |access-date=26 November 2018 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>

== ''PC Gamer'' UK == {{Infobox magazine | title = PC Gamer (UK) | image_file = PC Gamer UK issue 399 cover.webp | image_size = | image_caption = Cover of ''PC Gamer'' UK #399 (July 2024) | editor = Phil Savage | editor_title = Editor | previous_editor = {{hidden|ta1=left|Former Editors| 1993–1994 Matt Bielby 1994–1995 Gary Whitta 1995–1996 Jonathan Davies 1996–1999 Jim Flynn 1999–2000 James Ashton 2000–2003 Matt Pierce 2003–2006 Mark Donald 2006–2009 Ross Atherton 2009–2012 Tim Edwards 2012–2013 Graham Smith 2013–2017 Samuel Roberts}}<ref name="IF5cF" /><ref name="CxqUK" /><ref name="GhHJk" /> | staff_writer = {{hidden|ta1=left|Staff writers|Tim Edwards Graham Smith Tony Ellis Craig Pearson Tom Francis Richard Cobbett Jon Hicks Jim Rossignol John Walker Alec Meer Matt Avery Chris Buxton Andy Butcher Michael Gapper Kieron Gillen Mike Channell Tim Stone Adam Oxford Quintin Smith Duncan Harris Drew Northcott David Lyttleton Chris Thursten Tom Senior Marsh Davies Andy Kelly Joe Donnelly }} | frequency = Every four weeks, 13 per year | circulation = 19,125 print 2,929 digital 22,054 total (Jan – Dec 2013)<ref name="SaYz5" /> 21,272 print 3,241 digital 24,513 total (Jan – Dec 2012)<ref name="wuuAd" /> 23,652 print 379 digital 24,031 total (Jan – Dec 2011)<ref name="Z19wl" /> 25,019 (Jan – Dec 2010)<ref name="NbotJ" /> 26,487 (Jan – Dec 2009)<ref name="lMLTk" /> 32,619 (Jan – Dec 2008)<ref name="8Osvs" /> {{Nowrap|38,654 ABC (July – Dec 2007)<ref name="circ" />}} | category = Games magazine | company = Future plc | publisher = Richard Keith | firstdate = {{start date and age|1993|12}}<ref name="background_uk" /> | country = United Kingdom | based = Bath, Somerset | language = British English | website = {{URL|www.pcgamer.com/uk/}} | issn = }}

=== Magazine === The British edition of ''PC Gamer'' has been in constant monthly publication since 1993. Subscribers get a special edition of the magazine with no headlines on the front cover (only the masthead and BBFC rating).<ref name="c1RfQ" />

Almost exclusively devoted to PC games, the magazine has a reputation for giving in-depth reviews.<ref name="EOUmJ" />

The magazine originally shipped with an accompanying {{convert|3.5|in|mm|adj=on}} floppy disc. A CD demo disc (labelled ''CD Gamer'') was released alongside the floppy disk edition from issue 11 onwards with the first CD Gamer containing all the content from the previous 10 issues' floppy discs. The single CD was later expanded to two CDs.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

An edition with a 9 GB DVD known as ''DVD Gamer'' ran alongside the 2CD edition for a couple of years, until production of the CD Gamer edition ceased as of issue 162. The UK Edition then only came with a single double-sided DVD. In August 2011, the UK magazine announced it was to be discontinuing the disk as of issue 232, and replacing it with more pages of content within the magazine and exclusive free gifts.<ref name="whNNh" />

==== Regular features ==== The magazine has many regular features which make up each edition of the magazine. These include sections called ´''Eyewitness''´, ´''Previews''´, ´''Send''´, where letters from the readers are spread over 2 two-page spreads, at least one special feature, which reports on gaming related issues such as the effect of PC gaming on the environment, a review section which reviews the latest released PC games and re-reviews titles that have been released on budget and ´''Extra Life''´ which reports on modding games and gaming culture and revisiting old games. There is also a ´''Systems''´ section, which reviews and recommends hardware such as video cards and monitors. The back page of the magazine is entitled ´''It's All Over''´ and usually consists of game related artwork such as a version of Dalí's ''The Persistence of Memory'' featuring items from ''Portal''.<ref name="eF4E8" /> For a time, one of the magazine's features, ´''Gamer Snap''´, where amusing pictures sent in by readers were printed in the magazine, however the feature was discontinued and replaced with a ''Guess the Game'' where readers sent in drawings of memorable scenes in video games drawn in Microsoft Paint.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

=== Forum and blog === The ''PC Gamer'' blog was started to coincide with the transfer of the ''PC Gamer'' UK site to become part of the Computer and Video Games network which incorporates all of Future plc's gaming magazines. The move brought some controversy, with many long-standing members of the forum leaving due to the new forum's cramped spacing, advertising and slow loading times. The introduction of a blog was seen as one of the redeeming features of the switch. The blog has since been regularly updated with contributions from many of the magazine's staff. The topics discussed range from the controversy over violent video games, to the benefits of buying a PC over a console.

In 2010, PC Gamer re-launched their website and blog by bringing together the online communities of both the US and UK magazines into one website.<ref name="abPmY" /> As a result, the PC Gamer blog now has contributions from both the US and UK magazines, all hosted at the new website along with the forums for both magazines.

=== Podcast === The ''PC Gamer'' UK podcast started on 4 May 2007 and ran 93 episodes until its final episode, which was released on 5 July 2013. It had a rotating cast made up of members of the staff including Chris Thursten, Tom Senior, Graham Smith, Tom Francis, and Marsh Davies. The podcast was formerly hosted by Ross Atherton until his departure in June 2009 and then by Tim Edwards until his departure in 2012. The host position varied between Chris Thursten and Graham Smith from week to week. Previously monthly, the podcast was recorded every fortnight. Participants discussed the games they had been playing and news from the industry, and answered questions submitted via Twitter.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

The podcast began again in March 2016 with a new episode being released weekly.<ref name="6vISI" />

== ''PC Gamer'' US == {{Infobox magazine | title = PC Gamer (US) | image_file = | image_size = | image_caption = Cover of ''PC Gamer'' US #201 (June 2010) | editor = Evan Lahti | editor_title = Editor in Chief | frequency = Monthly | previous_editor = 1994–1996 Matt Firme 1996 Dan Bennett 1996–2000 Gary Whitta 2000–2004 Rob Smith 2004–2005 Dan Morris 2005–2007 Greg Vederman 2007–2009 Kristen Salvatore 2009 Gary Steinman 2009–2013 Logan Decker 2014– Evan Lahti | circulation = | category = Games magazine | company = Future US | publisher = Ace St. Germain | firstdate = May/{{start date and age|1994|6}} | country = United States | language = American English | website = {{URL|www.pcgamer.com}} }}

=== Magazine === The American edition of ''PC Gamer'' launched in 1994.

In 1999, Future US, then known as Imagine Media, purchased the rival magazine ''PC Games'' and merged its staff into the magazine.<ref name="3F0fN" />

==== Demo disk ==== Similarly to the British edition, the magazine shipped with a demo disk, though diskless versions were available. The CDs were replaced by DVDs in the American edition on a month-to-month basis.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

When PC games with full motion video (FMV) sequences were popular in the mid-to-late 1990s, ''PC Gamer's'' CD-ROM included elaborate FMV sequences featuring one of their editors. To access the features of the CD, including the demos, patches and reviews, the user had to navigate a 'basement', which played very much like classic PC games such as ''Myst''. It was in this game sequence that the magazine's mascot, Coconut Monkey, was introduced just as the editor was leaving the magazine, marking the transition from the FMV demo CDs to the more contemporary menu driven demo CDs that were subsequently used.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} The cover disc of the July 1998 issue of the Slovenian, Swedish, and UK editions of ''PC Gamer'' were infected with the Marburg virus,<ref name="zEB3e" /><ref name="BnYBb" /> which ''CNN Money'' stated caused the malware to become a "widespread threat".<ref name="cnn" />

In the September 2011 edition of ''PC Gamer'', it was announced that they would be dropping the demo disk altogether and concentrating on improving the quality of the magazine instead with a promise of a larger magazine printed on a heavier paper stock. The usual demo disk content would be made available online.<ref name="t3WNa" />

== References == {{reflist|1=30em|refs= <ref name="background_uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.futureplc.com/what-we-do/international-licensing/home/titles/PCG |title=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc |access-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925124929/http://www.futureplc.com/what-we-do/international-licensing/home/titles/PCG |archive-date=25 September 2011}}</ref> <ref name="presskit">{{cite web|url=http://www.futureus-inc.com/products/pdf/FSM_PCgamer_2-12-07.pdf |title=PC Gamer Press Kit |publisher=Future plc |date=12 February 2007|access-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011031715/http://www.futureus-inc.com/products/pdf/FSM_PCgamer_2-12-07.pdf |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref> <ref name="pcgamer.com1">{{cite news|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/|title=PC game reviews - PC Gamer|newspaper=Pcgamer}}</ref> <ref name="circ">[http://www.future-advertising.co.uk/ads/audiencefigures/figures.jsp?ref=3&brand=28 Audience Figures: Games | Future Advertising] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113210146/http://www.future-advertising.co.uk/ads/audiencefigures/figures.jsp?ref=3&brand=28 |date=13 November 2007}}, PCG 188, page 5</ref> <ref name="cnn">{{cite web |title=Buggy WarGames |url=https://money.cnn.com/1998/08/13/life/q_mgm/ |publisher=CNN Money |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021206015004/https://money.cnn.com/1998/08/13/life/q_mgm/ |archive-date=6 December 2002 |location=New York, United States |date=13 August 1998 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="W4TIS">{{Cite web |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=2015-05-01 |title=PC gaming is getting its own press conference at E3 2015 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/5/1/8528735/pc-gaming-e3-2015 |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> <ref name="uj9QV">{{cite web |last1=Savage |first1=Phil |title=Baldur's Gate 3 is PC Gamer's highest scoring game in 16 years. Here's why |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-is-pc-gamers-highest-scoring-game-in-16-years-heres-why/ |website=PC Gamer |date=16 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> <ref name="0qbCf">{{Cite web|last=ManicMiner|date=2007-12-17|title=PC Juegos y Jugadores: otra revista de videojuegos que cierra|url=https://www.vidaextra.com/industria/pc-juegos-y-jugadores-otra-revista-de-videojuegos-que-cierra|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Vidaextra|language=es}}</ref> <ref name="IF5cF">{{cite web|title=PC GAMER UK Podcast #68 - Weirdly Positive |url=http://mos.futurenet.com/video/pcgamer/podcast/PCGamer-UK-68.mp3 |publisher=Future plc |access-date=29 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520230839/http://mos.futurenet.com/video/pcgamer/podcast/PCGamer-UK-68.mp3 |archive-date=20 May 2013}}</ref> <ref name="CxqUK">{{Cite news|last=Donald|first=Mark|title=A Word from the Ed|newspaper=PC Gamer UK|page=7|date=December 2003}}</ref> <ref name="GhHJk">{{Cite news|last1=Donald|first1=Mark|last2=Atherton|first2=Ross|title=All Change|newspaper=PC Gamer UK|page=5|date=October 2006}}</ref> <ref name="SaYz5">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/18760158.pdf |title=Standard Certificate of Circulation - PC Gamer |publisher=ABC |access-date=20 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223050740/http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/18760158.pdf |archive-date=23 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="wuuAd">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/18259702.pdf |title=Standard Certificate of Circulation - PC Gamer |publisher=ABC |access-date=20 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223050446/http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/18259702.pdf |archive-date=23 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="Z19wl">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/17651918.pdf |title=Standard Certificate of Circulation - PC Gamer |publisher=ABC |access-date=20 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223050744/http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/17651918.pdf |archive-date=23 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="NbotJ">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/17144896.pdf |title=Standard Certificate of Circulation - PC Gamer |publisher=ABC |access-date=20 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223050348/http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/17144896.pdf |archive-date=23 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="lMLTk">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/16525751.pdf |title=Standard Certificate of Circulation - PC Gamer |publisher=ABC |date=11 February 2010 |access-date=16 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929033034/http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/16525751.pdf |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="8Osvs">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/15784252.pdf |title=Standard Certificate of Circulation - PC Gamer |publisher=ABC |date=12 February 2009 |access-date=18 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929033107/http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/15784252.pdf |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="c1RfQ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/pc-gamer-uk-january-issue-atlas/|title=PC Gamer UK January issue: Atlas|last=Gamer|first=P. C.|date=2018-12-14|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref> <ref name="EOUmJ">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/fingers-on-the-buttons-498330.html |title=Fingers on the buttons |first=Rebecca |last=Armstrong |date=11 July 2005 |work=The Independent |access-date=18 October 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111160923/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/fingers-on-the-buttons-498330.html |archive-date=11 November 2012}}</ref> <ref name="whNNh">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/08/23/pc-gamer-video-blog-the-making-of-issue-232-5/ |title=PC Gamer Video Blog - The Making of Issue 232 |date=23 August 2011 |publisher=PCGamer.com |access-date=29 August 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924062812/http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/08/23/pc-gamer-video-blog-the-making-of-issue-232-5 |archive-date=24 September 2011}}</ref> <ref name="eF4E8">{{cite book| title = PC gamer UK February edition Issue 184| publisher = Future plc|year=2008| pages = 5–130}}</ref> <ref name="abPmY">{{cite web|url=http://www.futureplc.com/2010/06/11/future-launches-pcgamer-com-new-online-home-for-global-pc-gaming-authority/ |title=Future launches PCGamer.com – new online home for global PC gaming authority « Future PLC |publisher=Futureplc.com |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=19 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225012725/http://www.futureplc.com/2010/06/11/future-launches-pcgamer-com-new-online-home-for-global-pc-gaming-authority/ |archive-date=25 December 2010}}</ref> <ref name="6vISI">{{cite web|url=https://pcgamerukpodcast.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/episode-1/ |title=Episode 1: Tom Clancy's the Podcast | PC Gamer UK Podcast |date=11 March 2016 |access-date=2016-09-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014080751/https://pcgamerukpodcast.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/episode-1/ |archive-date=14 October 2016}}</ref> <ref name="3F0fN">{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Gaming-Magazines-Dig-In-for-Showdown-in-S-F-2929884.php |title=Gaming Magazines Dig in for Showdown in S.F. |first=Dan |last=Fost |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=20 May 1999 |access-date=18 October 2007 |quote=Three months ago, Imagine bought IDG's PC Games and folded it into PC Gamer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107184343/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F1999%2F05%2F20%2FBU11496.DTL |archive-date=7 January 2008}}</ref> <ref name="zEB3e">{{cite magazine|title =Anti-CIH-pating the Future |date =August 1998 |url =https://archive.org/details/Virus_Bulletin-1998-08/page/n1/mode/2up |magazine =Virus Bulletin |publisher =Virus Bulletin Ltd |page =2}}</ref> <ref name="BnYBb">{{cite magazine|title =Marburg Follow-up |date =August 1998 |url =https://archive.org/details/Virus_Bulletin-1998-08/page/n1/mode/2up |magazine =Virus Bulletin |publisher =Virus Bulletin Ltd |page =3}}</ref> <ref name="t3WNa">PC Gamer (US), September 2011</ref> }}

== External links == * {{Official website}} *Archived PC Gamer magazines on the Internet Archive *[https://archive.gamehistory.org/folder/d41128f9-fb0f-4bcb-955d-4d44e9608d1a?sortField=date&sortDir=asc Archived ''PC Gamer'' US issues] at Video Game History Foundation

Category:Future plc Category:Magazines established in 1993 Category:Home computer magazines Category:Monthly magazines published in the United States Category:Computer magazines published in the United Kingdom Category:Computer magazines published in the United States Category:Video game magazines published in the United Kingdom Category:Video game magazines published in the United States Category:1993 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:1994 establishments in the United States Category:Monthly magazines published in the United Kingdom