Magazine Genre Research - Videogames

Most, if not all, video game magazines tend to lend much of the cover space to a game or character(s) from that game, similar in style to most other types of magazines. The title of the magazine and other information on the front is typically put out of the center of attention and sometimes partly see through so as to give and focus as much attention on the image on the cover which is also typically drawn or framed in such a way that it makes the reader want to know more without giving away to much or too little. The colors used on the cover are almost always a similar or matching color to the scene and characters presented, along with matching up with the genre and style of the game. A magazine advertising the best horror game of the year may present the main character searching through the house or environment of the game with a dark color pallet, most likely composed of black, dark maroon, navy blue, or whatever dark colors match the game, while a magazine advertising a family game such as Mario or Sonic would be filled with bright colors and may be somewhat cartoonish in nature, meant to present a friendly style that attracts casual players. As it is a video game magazine, it is expected that much of the content would be focused on games, and surprise surprise, the game magazine is filled with games. The magazine I looked through had a few pages in the beginning that acted as a table of contents, giving a brief look at the games and topics covered in the magazine before transferring to in depth detail of the games mentioned at the start. The game that received the longer reviews were those that received the most attention when revealed by game studios, most likely to attract larger bases of readers as giving more attention to smaller games would attract less people. After reviewing the bigger games, it transferred to smaller games, either reviewing them individually and dedicating a page or two to them and ending with awarding a score based on many different aspects. There are also lists and small ranking sections spread throughout that were created by individuals and ranked based on appearance, design, story, or whatever aspects they decided on. The ads in the magazine also tend to be game related, such as advertising high tec game controllers, new systems, computer or console parts, etc. along with typical ads found in magazines, such as a Geico ad. All of the pictures in the magazine are either screenshots or renderings of the games that they are paired with, showing off the graphics, or style, or possibly a game mechanic that some would find interesting. While it doesn't cite where the award came from, the magazine proudly declares on the front that it is, "The World's #1 Video Game Magazine".