User-generated content

[Gryzor]

Not really. Unfortunately people are usually quite passive when it comes to complaining (it's easier to do anyhow ) so they probably won't write in.

As for stop buying it, I can think of four people, off the top of my head, who have done so in the last year. Sure, you may gain new readership, but that's another issue.

Though *not* stop buying it is not an indication of whether they like a feature or not - the overall quality may still be above the cut-off line. [EDIT] Especially if you're gaining in younger generation segments who are likely more amenable to such stuff.

[GarryG]

Be good if they could do a 'late' back to the 70's' section.

I was also going to suggest this, as back to the eighties has finished and there is now only back to the nineties, but didn't now if there would be an audience for a 70s section in retro gamer now, as everything seems to be moving forwards in time

It doesn't need to be only late 70's though, interesting things happened earlier as well at later-

I don't think it could be done in quite the same way as there just wasn't the same amount of content, but the 70's still had interesting things.
It had electromechanical games like killer shark (1972 ), that were superseded by the first video arcade games (yes, there were arcade games pre space invaders -Gun Fight was out in 1975).
It also had pong (1972), and all the various incarnations of TV games that spawned (I still have my Telling Colour stars). The Magnavox Odyssey was also released in 1972. Of course for many the first generation peeked with the release of the ATARI VCS, first released in 1977 and arguably the birth of video game systems as we know them.
The 70's was also arguably the birth decade of electronic games in general, the iconic Simon was first launched in 1978.

The 70's were never as dead as people seem to think they were (look at the 70's games list on MAME).



Please don't do a 'back to the Nauties'

Just saw this post >

I think Back to the 00's !! Nearly 15 years ago, thats pretty retro

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[psj3809]

I think a back to the 00's is obvious to do. I mean its 15 years ago, thats a long time.

The magazine came out in 2003, 15 years before that was 1988 ! As much as i prefer the 80's era of games (and early 90's) for the mag to survive it needs new readers/subscribers. Back to the 00's i'm not saying will pull in tons of new readers but for many younger gamers that is retro to them. 'Retro' isnt just 'our era' only, retro means something different to everyone. A magazine full of 80's only would please me no end but the mag has to reach to a wider audience.

15 years is a long time, if Back to the 00's obviously started at Jan 2000 surely thats not too bad and not too 'modern' ? The GBA wasnt even out then.

[martyg]

Back to the 70s would be great, a history of pre videogames, a peek into the electromechanical games and how they crossed over, slowly evolving into first analogue computers and then the digital age.

I was asked to do a section for that once, but the problem is the other "Back to..." sections rely heavily on repeating original magazine coverage from each time period, and that just didn't exist in the 70s. You can't really do "And this month in 1973..." as easily. Its more milestone coverage than regular events coverage present in later established times. The most you could do it for with any coverage like that is the coin industry.

[Timothy Redux]

Back to the 70s would absolutely great - though only really the later 70s with a USA/ Arcade bias would available as the UK scene wasn't that far along

[Darran@Retro Gamer]

There's more chance of a back to the 00 then there is one of the 70s

[crusto]

Back to the 70's would be a fail. What would RG do after the first month? A feature on abacus's?

[The Laird]

Back to the 70s would probably best be done as a yearly thing until you get to the last few years and arrival of the VCS, Intellivision, A8, TRS-80 and the like.

[psj3809]

Back to the 70's would be a fail. What would RG do after the first month? A feature on abacus's?

I think a back to the 70's would be cool but i would start it late 70's for sure.

Back to the 00's would be good as well

[Antiriad2097]

Back to the 00's would be good as well

Maybe we could have Back To Last Month once that's done, it's about as retro.

[psj3809]

Back to the 00's would be good as well

Maybe we could have Back To Last Month once that's done, it's about as retro.

So Jan 2000 isn't retro ? Over 15 years ago ?

Again the mag started in 2003. So if they had a Back to 1988 in that issue would you think thats retro or 'too new' ?? I love the 80's, love the 8 bits but i know the mag isnt just for me, new readers might love Back to 00's whereas us old gits might think its too new (when its 15 years ago !)

[Gryzor]

Back to the 00's would be good as well

Maybe we could have Back To Last Month once that's done, it's about as retro.

So Jan 2000 isn't retro ? Over 15 years ago ?

Again the mag started in 2003. So if they had a Back to 1988 in that issue would you think thats retro or 'too new' ?? I love the 80's, love the 8 bits but i know the mag isnt just for me, new readers might love Back to 00's whereas us old gits might think its too new (when its 15 years ago !)

Again this discussion about defining 'retro' just by how old something is... First of all, the 00's go from 2000 to 2009 and I guess you'd agree 2009 doesn't quite qualify as such and second, and that's just a matter of perception, gaming in 2000 just wasn't that different from what it is now. The difference between 2003 and 1988 was vastly bigger than between 2015 and 2000.

[Darran@Retro Gamer]

You forgot to add "in my opinion".
The thing is, play a lot of games from 2000 or the PS2/Xbox era and they don't feel like new games. They don't even look like new games for that matter.
Regardless of what we as individuals might think what retro is, there are obviously plenty of people out there who do want to see newer things in the magazine and ultimately, you have to cater for everyone. That's why great fanzines will always do well because they can directly pander to those who want specific content. Hyper Play is a great example of this. As is Pink Bullets.

[Gryzor]

You forgot to add "in my opinion".

Actually, I did. Or is "...and that's just a matter of perception" much different?

[psj3809]

Again this discussion about defining 'retro' just by how old something is... First of all, the 00's go from 2000 to 2009 and I guess you'd agree 2009 doesn't quite qualify as such and second, and that's just a matter of perception, gaming in 2000 just wasn't that different from what it is now. The difference between 2003 and 1988 was vastly bigger than between 2015 and 2000.

If youre a kid who was 'raised' on games in the late 90's early 00's then i'm sure (in my opinion !) would get a lot of nostalgic feelings from seeing some old game they used to play when they were 7 back in 2000 and now here they are aged 22 years later, perhaps they havent got into modern gaming that much recently but love the fact theres a game from 2000 featured in some magazine they spotted in Smiths.

Sure many people think gaming is different from the year 2000 than it is now. I would love the mag to only feature games in the 80's and early 90's myself personally but i can see why they have to evolve (slightly). Having the odd feature on a game from the year 2000 is fine by me