Mega (magazine)

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MEGA
Cover of issue 2, November 1992
Editor Neil West
Andy Dyer
Gerry Doak
Lee Brown
Categories Video game magazines
Frequency Monthly
First issue October 1992
Company Future Publishing 1992 - 1994
Maverick Magazines 1994 - 1995
Country United Kingdom
Language English
ISSN 0966-6206

MEGA, subtitled '100% PURE SEGA MEGA DRIVE' was a monthly magazine, published in the United Kingdom, aimed at users of the Sega Mega Drive and later its additions, the Mega CD and 32X.

During its time, as one of the main Mega Drive publications, MEGA covered the golden age of the Sega Mega Drive; from 1992 to 1995. It went through many changes itself including a re-design in content and layout before being sold onto a rival publisher.

Contents

[edit] History

With Mega Drive sales soaring, and the fact that there was only one devoted Mega Drive magazine published at the time - that being EMAP's MegaTech - Future Publishing decided it was time for them to launch their own magazine dedicated solely to the Sega console.

During the summer of 1992, the then Deputy Editor of Sega Power Neil West was given the position of launch Editor of the new Mega Drive magazine. Amanda Cook was drafted in from Amiga Power to serve as Art Editor. Andy Dyer, who had worked on Nintendo magazine Total!, was appointed as Deputy Editor. Paul Mellerick, ex-Sega Force writer, completed the four person editorial team as Staff Writer.

August 1992 and advertisements for MEGA's imminent arrival began appearing in fellow Future Publishing titles such as Amstrad Action, Commodore Format and Sega Power:

MEGA meg (?-), very big, 100% Sega Mega Drive, comin' at ya on Thursday 17 September (that's soon). Magazine dedicated for all serious games players. a.k.a. The mag with the most, The guide to the Mega Drive and beyond... Slogan: Got a SNES? That's you stuffed then. Philosophy: To be the best. From the makers of Amstrad Action comes the ultimate guide to the 16-bit Sega gamesplaying: essential news, in-depth reviews, gamesplaying guides and dirty cheats. Be part of it.”

– MEGA advertisement in Amstrad Action

Thursday 17th September and issue 1 of MEGA, cover dated October 1992, appeared on the newsagent stands priced £1.95. Printed on glossy super A4 and put together with a quality front cover and spine; the high production values of MEGA were apparent from the start.

The familiar format of MEGA was evident even in the launch issue. Regular content included; 'MEGA City', Previews, Reviews, 'MEGA Play', 'Arena', 'MEGA Mouth' and the, always controversial, 'Top 100' games guide. Cover feature, NHLPA Hockey '93, was given a huge six page review and gained an impressive 92 percent rating.

MEGA would often have an exclusive first review special in their issues. Exclusive reviews have included Sonic 2, John Madden '93, Virtua Racing and many more. This along with the magazine's design and content quickly made the magazine a best seller with circulation figures over the 40,000.

By the end of 1993 Neil West had crossed the Atlantic to help launch the well respected US magazine Next Generation, holding the title Chief-in-editor. Andy Dyer took over the editor's position and the magazine continued with success, showing a circulation of over 50,000 for the January – June period. However, for reasons unknown to its readers, Future Publishing decided to sell the magazine. The last MEGA issue published under Future Publishing was issue 23, cover date August 1994. The event was listed, at a later date, on Future's website history pages.

“ August 94 - Mega was sold to Maverick - another offer we couldn't refuse. There were no redundancies made on the recent sales or closures of mags.[1] ”

—Future Publishing, FutureNet : The Future Publishing Story
“ ...the console market has undergone many changes and Maverick decided that the best line of action was to buy MEGA to gain full control of the Mega Drive specific market.[2] ”

—Maverick MEGA, October 1994

In August 1994 MEGA was now a Maverick Magazine and their first edition was the September 1994 issue, number 24. Already the publisher of rival Mega Drive title Megadrive Advanced Gaming, Maverick stated that they wanted to cover the "Mega Drive specific market", having already bought another Mega Drive magazine MegaTech from EMAP.

The 'Maverick' MEGA had the same style and layout as the Future MEGA but because the whole staff had, obviously, changed, so had the magazine. It wasn't the MEGA that readers had known and respected over the previous years. The page count was dwindling down every month and it was not too long before the magazine closed.

[edit] Editorial Style & Content

MEGA's editorial style was always clean and professional looking helped by the glossy look of the cover and pages. Actual content was varied amongst regulars and features, some normal, some unique.

MEGA City

MEGA City was the games news section where all the top Mega Drive news, or not so top news, was announced. Also included in this section were features like the Editorial column, 'Q's In The News', 'Bull Durham's World Of PR' and 'Busman's Holiday',

  • Q's In The News

A list of questions that was printed in the News section. The Mega Drive related questions ranged from easy to hard. There were also five screen grabs from games, which were altered and skewered, from which you had to answer, or guess, what game the shot was from.

  • Bull Durham's World Of PR

Mainly because of Bull Durham's first name, MEGA used this character to bust PR bluffs and blunders in the Mega Drive marketing world, with hilarious consequences. One of the first 'Bull Durham' stories featured Nintendo's ad campaign for Street Fighter 2 which had an A4 page spread of the heading...

street cred, street wise, street talk, street... ...you know the rest. It's coming soon.[3]

– Nintendo Streetfighter 2 ad campaign

“ Yep, Streetfighter 2's coming soon to the Mega Drive. So what are you trying to say Nintendo? Come on, out with it. Oops, oh no... surely not? You can't really have spent £15 million on an ad campaign only to have it all go horribly wrong on you just before Christmas. Can you? Oh, we see - you can.[4] ”

— Bull Durham, MEGA
  • Busman's Holiday

Busman's Holiday featured a Q&A style interview with people working in the video games industry like musician Rob Hubbard, EA Marketing Manager Simon Jeffrey, Games' Tester Danny Curley, GamesMaster host Dominik Diamond and a familiar games journalist called Andy Dyer.

  • Voyage To The Bowels Of The Back Catalogue

A mini review column where an old game, from before MEGA, is criticised for being so bad. Past games retrieved from the bowels included Zany Golf and Heavy Nova.

Interviews

MEGA would feature interviews with people who were involved in the video games scene. Celebrity interviews included Dominik Diamond, Robert Llewelyn (Kryten from Red Dwarf), Pat Sharp, Andy Crane and 'The man with the cyber-razor cut' Jimmy of Sega adverts. Discussions would usually involve what they were doing at the moment and occasionally even Sega related stuff. The Pat Sharp interview focused on the heading 'Is Sonic Killing Rock 'n' Roll?'.

The Charts

The Charts page started out as a normal and informative look at the Mega Drive charts, including the UK official and import top 20 plus top 10 lists from Japan and USA. However the staff would increasingly use the page as an output for their jokes and stories. The Charts Page would eventually decrease in size showing only UK lists.

Previews and Reviews

Previews and reviews were informative and the layout was clear. Cover featured games like NHLPA Hockey '93 and Sonic 2 were given massive six page coverage. Each review had an info panel to the right of the page which included all the game details and ratings. Ratings were given, out of ten, to graphics, sound, gameplay, game size and addiction. The overall score was given as a percentage. Sometimes a second, and third, member of staff would add their 'Not so fast...' box to the review, stating their opinion on the game. Also included in the reviews was a 'Then again..' box, which gave the reader a reminder of previously released games in the same genre.

The highest rated MEGA game was John Madden Football '93 receiving a 95 Percent rating in the December 1992 issue.

MEGA Play

MEGA's tip section was very comprehensive; in total the Tips pages included 'MEGA Play' (tips, cheats, codes and more), 'MEGA Medic', where readers wrote in about their gaming problems and MEGA replied with tips or solutions, and the 'Rip 'n' Tip' section featured in-depth complete guides to popular games.

Arena

'Arena' was a section were 'Weird and Wonderful Happenings' in games were featured. Also in the section was 'Wacky Challenges' where, as the title suggests, crazy challenges were printed to prolong the games life. One particular challenge for PGA Tour Golf; Finish a round using only the driver and be on par or better.

Top 100

The Top 100 was a buyer's guide to the best Mega Drive games. The Top 100 always caused controversy and confusion among many readers. The idea was to list the best games usually by genre, e.g. Joe Montana Football would be listed lower than usual purely because there was another, better, game in that genre; John Madden Football. Through later issues classic mini reviews and reader's ads were added to the Top 100 section. In issue 23 the Top 100 was given an overhaul and was now just the Top 50 games, of which Sensible Soccer was now at the top spot.

MEGA Mouth

'MEGA Mouth' was the letters pages which featured letters from readers. The best letter of the month would be given a prize along with the title 'MEGA Star' above their letter, where as the letter that was deemed unintelligible would be titled with 'MEGA Moron'. Also included in these pages were other columns such as 'Excerpts From The Diary Of A Stunt Mega Drive', 'Blagged' and 'The Curious Letters Of Harold S Bloxham'.

  • Excerpts Of A Stunt Mega Drive

A small competition column where photos were taken of readers' Mega Drive in weird situations. One example was Issue 1 had a photo of a Mega Drive dangling out of a window by its Game pad cable.

  • The Curious Letters Of Harold S Bloxham

Following the, unsuccessful exploits of imaginary Harold S Bloxham and his crusade against video game nasties and the evil they inflict on our younger generation. His letters were sent out to various celebrities and politicians in the hope that they would agree with his views and join his cause...

These so-called 'home-consoles' are eroding the brains of our future leaders.[5]

– Harold S. Bloxham, Extract from letter to Kenny Dalglish

Letters and replies came back from the likes of Claire Raynor, Blue Peter editor Lewis Bronze, Jason Donovan, Sir Patrick Moore, Magnus Magnusson, Kenny Dalglish and Lloyd Grossman,

All correspondence replied back, politely, disagreeing with his views and stating their reasons. Once it was realised to Harold that his efforts were going unheeded he gave up. It was then revealed that Harold S. Bloxham didn't exist after all, it was Neil West and Andy Dyer playing devil's advocate on the game playing scene.

  • Blagged

The readers' column where the funniest or most interesting story of why they should receive a free game actually wins a free game.

  • Arnie's Somewhat Serious Bit

A section for the readers more serious letters where they had something to say about a particular subject, be it against something or indifference. The column was headed up with a picture of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his Conan The Barbarian days.

Shutdown

Was the back page where the magazine previewed what was to come in the next issue. Also featured the A's in the Back Page, which was the answers to the Q's In The News.

[edit] MEGA GOLD

MEGA GOLD Summer Special '93, a complete A-Z guide to every Mega Drive game, up until that point in time anyway, was released in the summer of 1993. This complete guide featured 339 mini reviews and feature reviews on recent and old classic games, released before MEGA's first issue, plus complete list of game tips and cheats. Produced by the same staff who worked on the monthly edition, but also featured contributions from the familiar names of Stuart Campbell, Trenton Webb, Les Ellis, Tim Tucker, Andy Hutchinson, Jonathan Davies, Mark Ramshaw and James Leach.

[edit] Street Of Rage 2

During 1993 Sega had changed the way games journalist would get access to their games for reviews. For fear of piracy, Sega game cartridges would no longer be sent out to games magazines. If a games journalist wanted to play a Sega game they would have to visit Sega HQ and access the game under supervision from Sega representatives. MEGA, naturally, were dead against this new ruling and refused to give Streets of Rage 2 a final rating...

“ WITHELD! Having not played this game for as long as we feel necessary, MEGA refuse to risk giving it an incorrect score...[6] ”

—Paul Mellerick, Streets Of Rage 2 review

The final rating of 81% would be given in the news section in a later issue. Following MEGA's, and other magazines, stance on this review policy, Sega decided to revert back to sending game cartridges out to magazines.

[edit] Street Fighter 2 Collector's Edition

The game eventually got its long awaited Mega Drive conversion of SFII Champion Edition and to celebrate the occasion MEGA featured an unprecedented 24 page guide in issue 10. Labelled as the 'Street Fighter 2 Collector's Edition' with this subtitle stretched across the MEGA logo on the front cover. The special feature included the making of..., BIOS and special moves for every character, trivia, arcade background, Street Fighter 1: humble beginnings, model figure fighters, the hype, the movie talk, the comic strips, fact or fiction: the real street fighter, the competition including Fatal Fury, Pit Fighter, Streets of Rage 2, Cyborg Justice, Mortal Kombat, and others...

[edit] MEGA Staff

Many people, familiar and not so familiar, worked on MEGA. From publishers, editors, writers to the many contributors who were credited in every issue.

Neil West
  • Editor (1992-1993)

Neil worked on Sega Power in 1990, becoming deputy editor. He also contributed to several other Future titles like Commodore Format, Amiga Format and Amiga Power It was during this time that he also appeared many times on games tv shows such as GamesMaster, co-commentating with host Dominik Diamon on the latest games challenge.[7] Also co-hosted, with Jane Goldman, the Games World reviews show House of Games broadcast on satellite tv.

During the end of 1992, he was given responsibility of launch Editor of MEGA. Edited the "Official Sega Megadrive Power Tipsbook", which was released in 1994.

Left MEGA, and the UK, to work in the United States. In 1995 he launched the respected US games magazine Next Generation, holding the position of editor-in-chief.[8] Under his guidance, the magazine offered exclusive coverage, including interviews with the people in the industry. In 1996 Marketing Computers magazine ranked him the US's most influential interactive entertainment journalist.[9]

he would return to the UK in 1998 to take over the Editor's position on multi format magazine Arcade.[10] Left the games industry in 1999 to manage garageband.com as Editor & Publisher. Garageband.com was a band filter company for the music industry.[11]

In 2002 he decided to take time out to travel the world. He produced his own website neilwest.com, which features articles and pictures of his travels. The website's moto is "Whatever it takes to have a nice day" ...[12]

Andy Dyer
  • Deputy Editor (1992-1993)
  • Editor (1993-1994)

Andy's first break into games journalism came about when he applied for a Staff Writer position for Commodore Format. His flat mate had noticed the advert for the launch of a new C64 magazine. He continued to work on CF until late 1991.

Along with fellow Commodore Format editor Steve Jarratt, he helped launch the independent Nintendo magazine Total!; a video games magazine initially focusing on the current Nintendo consoles NES and Game Boy, and later SNES and Nintendo 64. In 1992 Andy, along with Steve Jarratt, produced a paperback book on Nintendo games titled Total 42 - Life, the Universe and Nintendo Games.

He left Total! in the summer of 1992 to become Deputy Editor of MEGA. Became editor in late 1993 when Neil West went over to work in the United States.[13] Was launch editor of PlayStation Max; a PlayStation games magazine aimed at the younger gamer during the late 90's. In 2002 the official PlayStation 2 tips magazine was launched with Andy as editor.[14]

Since leaving Future Publishing, he worked freelance across a range of titles and established a design partnership specialising in print communication and contract publishing services.[15]

In May 2007 Imagine Publishing hired him to take over the editor's position of unofficial Nintendo magazine n•Revolution.[14]

Paul Mellerick
  • Staff Writer

Paul started writing for Commodore 64 magazine Zzap!64, but would later move over to newly launched sister title Sega Force.[16].

Joined MEGA as staff writer for the launch issue in 1992 and continued to write for the magazine until its sale to Maverick Magazines in September 1994. He then moved over to work on Amiga Power as staff writer for the October 1994 issue.[17]

Amanda Cook (later Amanda Dyson)
  • Art Editor

Although her official position was Art Editor, Amanda was also credited for the odd review. Started on Amiga Power as Art Editor in November 1991. Left after July 1992 to help with the launch of MEGA. Then left MEGA to work on the TV show games magazine GamesMaster.

Jon Smith
  • Staff Writer

Moved on from MEGA to work on Total Film. Later held the position of Head of External Development at Codemasters.[18] He then moved to games developer TT Games as Development Director, where he was responsible for the production of LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game.[18]

Josse Bilson
  • Staff Writer

A Staff Writer on the newly acquired Sega Zone in 1993. When Future Publishing sold the magazine to Maverick Magazines in early 1994, Josse moved over to MEGA as Staff Writer. Has also appeared on GamesMaster as a co-commentator during the fourth season. Appeared on GamesMaster in 1994 as co-commentator next to host Dominik Diamond.[19] Later worked on PlayStation Power magazine.

Will Groves
  • Staff Writer

Will joined MEGA just before it was sold, so never got a real chance to contribute much to the magazine. He became editor of Future Publishing's game website 'gamesradar.com'.[20] Later was promoted to Associate Producer of the CVG online network.[21]

Contributors

MEGA's credits mast contributed many writers each month. These writers would often contribute uncredited articles and reviews. Through the years these writers included Stuart Campbell, Andy Hutchinson, James Leach, Adam Waring, Richard Longhurst, Trenton Webb, Jonathan Davies and Gary Penn.

[edit] References

  1. ^ FutureNet : The Future Publishing tory. Future Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
  2. ^ MEGA, issue 25, October 1994, 'MEGA Mouth', p 65
  3. ^ MEGA, issue 4, January 1993, 'Bull Durham's World Of PR', p 8
  4. ^ MEGA, issue 4, January 1993, 'Bull Durham's World Of PR', p 8
  5. ^ Bloxham, Harold S. MEGA, issue 8, May 1993, 'Harold S Bloxham', p 97
  6. ^ Mellerick, Paul. MEGA, issue 4, January 1993, p 40
  7. ^ GamesMasterLive.co.uk - Games Master Season 2. GamesMasterLive. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  8. ^ Next Generation - Magweasel. Magweasel. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  9. ^ Neil West: ZoomInfo Business People Information. ZoomInfo. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  10. ^ BBC NEWS. BBC NEWS. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  11. ^ Whatever It Takes To Have a Nice Day Part 1 - Haven't You Gone Yet. Neil West. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  12. ^ A to Z Magazines at Cheapest Magazines UK. Cheapest Magazines UK. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  13. ^ a b Imagine Publishing - Just imagine.... Imagine Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  14. ^ C3 News C3 Exclusive Interview Steve Jarratt, Official Nintendo Magazine.mht. cubed3.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  15. ^ "Sega Force editorial", issue 2, February 1992
  16. ^ AP2. AP2. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  17. ^ a b Imperial College London Games and Media Event (GaME). GaME. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  18. ^ Instock - Targeted Industry News as it Breaks. instockmagazine. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  19. ^ Contact Us - ComputerAndVideoGames.com. ComputerAndVideoGames. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Magazines published by Future Publishing