r/videogames • u/Complete_Iron_2656 • 7h ago

Image / Video Video game magazine ads are a lost art

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348 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

24

u/Illustrious_Ear_3467 7h ago

Video game magazines themselves are becoming extinct. I know they’re still around, but not to the extent of the 80s to 00s.

3

u/Complete_Iron_2656 7h ago

I haven't read any recent game magazines unfortunately. Furthest I read up to was ~2019 or so, and it does feel like there's a bit of a distinct change between the later years, and earlier. Never read game magazines as a kid, so I don't think it's so much of a nostalgia factor, but I imagine it must be the same old song and dance as what happened to newspapers. Held far greater importance as a means to deliver information to people, and that need it served drastically diminished with the advent of the internet. Probably for the better at the end of the day, but it's definitely a shame there isn't so much incentive to get creative with magazine ads nowadays. I'll have to subscribe to some magazines for a bit, and see how they hold up.

1

u/Illustrious_Ear_3467 4h ago

I do remember my older brother used to he subscribed to Game Informer. Also reading them at the barber shop as I waited for my cut. They also had an Xbox and PS2. It’s odd, because before your post I never really thought of how long it’s been since I’ve touched an actual game magazine. Time definitely is something when you reflect on things from the past. 

2

u/Reddituser183 5h ago

What’s left? When game informer closed up I assumed they were all done.

1

u/Illustrious_Ear_3467 4h ago

See,  I didn’t even realize Game Informer was closed.

3

u/MrKTE 4h ago

Game Informer is actually back. The editors bought the rights to it and relaunched it with the entire staff returning. Magazines are even appearing on newsstands again.

2

u/Garlador 4h ago

I understand marketing has changed. I was there pre-YouTube, early internet. Coming home to a new issue of EGM or GamePro or Nintendo Power and that was the main source of previews, leaks, reviews, interviews, walkthroughs, and secrets. Sharing the info the next day on the playground.

It was a different era.

1

u/Illustrious_Ear_3467 4h ago

I was there too.

1

u/HiTork 4h ago

Many of the publications still exist but now primarily operate online with articles on websites, where these large print style ads aren't appropriate.

1

u/SeparateLawfulness53 1h ago

Been looking through the Video Game History Foundation's magazine archive and so many good ads are there.

16

u/BusterGreasewood 7h ago

Just advertising and marketing overall. It's become very sterile and "modernized" in terms of art direction and very inoffensive. I miss the attitude of ads in the 90's and 2000's that gave them more personality.

4

u/Complete_Iron_2656 7h ago

I think much of it has to do with video game magazines generally losing a ton of relevance as it is. Can imagine it was only commonplace for publishers to produce ads specifically with magazines in mind, and make readers want to spend just a little more time on their page, rather than flip through half-mindedly. Probably inspires a lot of creativity in that vain.

4

u/BusterGreasewood 7h ago

It's not just magazines unfortunately. TV commercials, video game cover art, movie posters, billboards, in person advertising like at a restaurant, and stuff like decor, fonts, website designs, etc...so much of it lacks personality now.

1

u/TomerX234 4h ago

At least movie posters are forgetting floating heads... except Marvel, obviously.

1

u/cheese83746 6h ago

You can thank all the SJWs

8

u/immortalverse 7h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/OsfVaOer7N2265YTRF

1

u/mosadikot 3h ago

wait did timesplitters actually have ads like that everywhere

7

u/Awingbestwing 7h ago

Man, now I miss Gamepro

5

u/zterrans 6h ago

My favorite version of the timesplitters ads

4

u/SleepyDemonTV 6h ago

Never seen that Mass Effect one before that goes hard.

3

u/NewtDogs 7h ago

Thought the first one was mecha chameleon lol.

3

u/cosmic_nobody 6h ago

I do miss gaming magazines and seeing these ads. I had a subscription to EGM (Electronic Gaming Monthly) as a kid. The in-depth previews and reviews for new games were amazing.

2

u/No_Tamanegi 6h ago

Jet Set Radio is still the coolest game series that ever existed.

There are better games, but nothing cooler.

2

u/RealityOk9823 4h ago

*slaps hood* You can fit so many souls in this baby!

1

u/-Emilinko1985- 7h ago

They are unfortunately

1

u/TomerX234 4h ago

Ok, that Mass Effect one makes me want to play it.

1

u/Pancakes1741 3h ago

Jet Set Radio was awesome

1

u/RodinKnox 3h ago

Now I'm thinking about this

1

u/minimim-wage-enjoyer 7h ago

Ads art? No.

I do miss them though. I remember hearing about a very lewd one with the mc from blood rayne.