Showing posts with label Computer games. Show all posts

Monday, January 22, 2024

Computer Gaming World (August 1986)

Computer Gaming World was the first major computer games magazine in the U.S. It was published for many years, eventually morphing into Games for Windows and dying not long after that. In its early days, it covered computers of all types. The August 1986 issue includes:

Features

American Dream - Review of a management simulation in which you are the CEO of a robot manufacturing company.
Phantasie II - Review of this RPG from SSI for the Apple II and Commodore 64. The mechanics of the Phantasie games are a sort of rudimentary predecessor to the AD&D Gold Box games that would come later.
Industry Update - An overview of the June Consumer Electronics Show. Some new products shown and/or announced include Accolade's Ace of Aces, Electronic Art's multiple new titles including Thomas M. Disch's Amnesia, Battlefront, Chessmaster 2000, Murder Party, Ogre, Mind Mirror, Scavenger Hunt, Bard's Tale II, Autoduel, Ultimate Wizard, Business Simulator, Ultima III and others. Plus releases from a new company called Cinemaware and more.

_{Table of Contents from the August 1986 issue of Computer Gaming World}

Departments

Sports Scoreboard - A look at some of the latest sports games including GBA Championship Basketball, Bop 'N Wrestle, an add-on disk for Leader Board as well as Avalon Hill's Tournament Golf and Micro League Baseball.

Amiga Preferences - A brief look at new games for the Amiga including Mynd Walker, Mastertype, Rogue, and The Temple of Apshai Trilogy.

Commodore Key - A brief look at the latest Commodore 64 game related releases including Garry Kitchen's Game Maker, Elite, Colossus, Booty & Cylu, Willow Pattern & Chimera, Gerry the Germ & Microcosm, Runestone & The Helm, Sabre Wulf & Underwurlde, Rasputin & Chicken Chase, Battle of Britain & Battle for Midway, Brian Bloodaxe, Revelation, Quovadis, Spell of Destruction, and lots more. Also noted is the fact that the Commodore 64 has sold more than any other home computer at this point at 3.5 million units.

Macintosh Window - A look at the latest entertainment releases for the Macintosh including Orbiter from Spectrum Holobyte and Flight Simulator.

_{Back cover of the August 1986 issue of Computer Gaming World}

Friday, November 23, 2018

Computer Gaming World (September 1989)

Computer Gaming World (September 1989)

I think without a doubt that Computer Gaming World was the best PC games magazine. In 1989 they were still covering other computer systems and the magazine was only at 50 pages but it would reach it's peak in the 1990s with the development of the 3D accelerator and the subsequent explosion of PC gaming. There were some truly massive issues then. The September 1989 issue includes: Features

SSI's "Curse of the Azure Bonds" - Scorpia Explores Another "Forgotten Realm"
Epyx's "The Omicron Conspiracy" - "We'd Tell You More, But..."
SSI's "Hillsfar" - "It Takes A Thief" To Be The Best
The Sounds of Silicon - CGW's Test Lab Explores IBM Sound Boards
"Chessmaster 211" vs. "Sargon 4" - Software Toolworks and Spinnaker Face-Off
It's A "Grand [Old] Fleet" - SimCan's World War I Naval Combat Game
SSI's "Red Lightning" Strikes Twice - Modern Warfare on the ST and IBM
Here Comes the "Fire King" - SSG's Action/Role-Playing Game
How to Plan for a Long "Journey" - Game Hints from Abroad
Star Saga Two: The Clathran Menace - Masterplay's New Adventure Game
Linking Up for "Tournament Golf" - Playing a "Mean[er] 18"
Hints for Infocom's "Arthur" - Scorpion's Tale Offers "Roundtable" Discussion
"Name The Game" Contest - Win A Free 3-Year CGW Subscription

Departments

Letters from Paradise
Taking A Peek
Conversions Received
Rumor Bag
Inside The Industry
Game Ratings
CGW Hall of Fame
Reader Input Device

...and more!

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Computer Gaming World (June 1986)

Already up to issue 29 in October 1986 but this was still very early days for the best computer games magazine. At this point it still wasn't a PC specific magazine as there were plenty of competitive platforms at that time. This issue includes:

Features

Battlegroup & Mech Brigade - Twice More With Feeling
Psi 5 Trading Company - A Review
Macintosh Window - A New Column
Battle of the Atlantic - A Review
Universe II - Playtester Overview (The Perils of Playtesting)
Island of Kesmai - Telecommunication Gaming

Departments

Taking A Peek - Screen Photos and Brief Comments
Scorpion's Tale - Borrowed Time Tips
Over There! - British Games
Strategically Speaking - Strategy Game Tips
Micro Reviews

Countdown to Shutdown
Moebius
Norway 1985
Clash of Wills
Adventures in Flesh
The Black Death
Make Millions

Reader Input Device
Game Ratings - 100 Games Rates

...and more!

Monday, September 17, 2018

Computer Play (October 1988)

Though it seem relatively obscure today, Computer Play was once the only competition out there for Computer Gaming World. The October 1988 issue includes: Departments

Editor's Page - Thoughts about software piracy.
Letters - Our readers talk back.
Hints & Tips - Help with your favorite games.
Company Addresses - Software game manufacturers.
Scorecard - How we review games.
Marketplace - Display and classified advertising.
Coming Attractions - Next issue's features.
Advertiser Index - Reader service information.

Columns

Industry News & Views - What's new in the biz.
Channel Three - Nintendo and Sega news.
Snapshots - Brief looks at new (and old) games.
MacGames - Have fun with your Mac.

Reviews

Unite China - Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Beautiful Music - Jam Session helps you create.
Fencing Lessons - The challenge of Death Sword.
Terrorist Attacks - Skim the waves on Pegasus.
Rule the Skies - Hellcat Ace provides excitement.
Sports Special - Enter the world of sports games in a special section: John Elway's Quarterback, Super Sunday, TV Football, Pro/NFL Challenge, GFL Football, GBA Basketball, Sporting News Baseball, Pete Rose Pennant Fever, Computerized Card Collecting, Hardball, RBI Baseball, Leader Board Golf, sports game listing.