The Official Dreamcast Magazine (commonly abbreviated as ODCM and formerly known as Official Sega Dreamcast Magazine) was a video game magazine for the Dreamcast video game console published in the United States. It was published by Imagine Media.[3]
 | |
February 2001 issue | |
| Editor-in-chief | Chris Charla[1] |
|---|---|
| Editor | Simon Cox[2] |
| Categories | Computer and video games |
| Frequency | Monthly/bimonthly |
| First issue | September/October 1999 |
| Final issue Number | March/April 2001 13 |
| Company | Imagine Media Inc. |
| Country | USA |
| ISSN | 1525-1764 |
History
editThe magazine's initial issue "0" was released in June 1999, a full 3 months before the launch of the system. This issue featured Sonic the Hedgehog on a black cover, along with the launch date and some of the system's unique features.[4] Upon the magazines release on August 24, 1999, they printed 330,000 copies of the debut issue.[5] The magazine ran for twelve issues from the September 1999 Dreamcast launch to March/April 2001, shortly after Dreamcast was discontinued.[6]
Starting with issue 2, each issue came with a GD-ROM with demos of Dreamcast games.[7] The final issue did not come with a disc. This was explained as Sega looking for a new way to distribute demos. The cancellation was apparently unexpected as the magazine promised more information about demo distribution in future issues and had a preview for the next issue where Phantasy Star Online was to be reviewed. Many of the staff went on to work for Official Xbox Magazine.
The magazine was published bimonthly, but during the 2000 holiday season, issues were sold monthly due to additional relevant content being available for the shopping season.
Reviews
editThe magazine used multiple reviewing techniques, including the 24-hour review, where a reviewer would play the game for 24 hours, even if the game was bad. They also compared games to similar ones.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Floyd, Mike (May 10, 2000). "Battlel of the Video Games". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. p. 4E.
- ^ Simmers, Tim (September 8, 1999). "Sega Sees Sale Record". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. p. Business-5.
- ^ "Gaming Popularity Continues To Rise: About Imagine Media, Inc". The Times and Democrat. Orangeburg, South Carolina. December 18, 1999. p. CL6.
- ^ "Official Sega Dreamcast Magazine US". Sega Dreamcast Magazine. No. 0. Imagine Media. June 1999.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (August 24, 1999). "Sega Taps Creator Of 'Antz' to Launch Dreamcast Console". Wall Street Journal. p. B7. ProQuest 398712490.
Sega is printing 330,000 copies of the debut issue of its enthusiast magazine, Dreamcast Magazine, which hits the streets today.
- ^ Gaudiosi, John (February 12, 2001). "Game over for two gaming news sites". Video Business. Vol. 21, no. 7. p. 52. ProQuest 223920838.
Meanwhile, Imagine Media, in light of Sega's departure from the console business, has closed production of its Official Dreamcast Magazine.
- ^ "Script Kiddiez Suck: Toward An Economy For Vulnerability Disclosure". Computer Security Journal. 17 (1): 27–35. Winter 2001. ProQuest 216362403.
Dreamcast Magazine. Every month I get a new issue and every month it has a CD
- ^ Cravens, Glenn (March 3, 2000). "Read, ask, play before you buy". The Gamer's Corner. The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. p. 6D.
Further reading
edit- Ashford, Sage (June 24, 2023). "10 Best Video Game Magazines That No Longer Exist". CBR.
- Gander, Matt (September 9, 2011). "Official Dreamcast – A Mag That Didn't Last". Games Asylum.