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.jpg) GMR Issue 25 - February 2005 | |
| Categories | Console gaming,Computer gaming |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly |
| First issue | February 2003 |
| Final issue | February 2005 |
| Company | Ziff Davis |
| Country | United States,Canada |
| Language | English |
| Website | GMR on the 1UP Network |
| ISSN | 1544-6816 |
GMR was a monthly magazine onvideo games that was published byZiff-Davis — the publisher of such magazines asPC Magazine,Electronic Gaming Monthly, andComputer Gaming World (laterGames for Windows: The Official Magazine).GMR was launched in February 2003, being sold in only theElectronics Boutique (EB) chain of video game stores. The magazine was unusual among multiconsole magazines in that it covered PC as well as console games, as well as its minimalistic cover art, and, in its last few months, its shift in focus toward promotion of less mainstream titles. It lasted exactly two years, as the 25th and last issue (which was only sent to subscribers) was the February 2005 edition (though prints were limited and not even all subscribers received the final issue).
As the magazine was funded byElectronics Boutique, the magazine stopped circulation whenGameStop merged with EB Games, as GameStop already had its own magazine,Game Informer. The fates of its entire staff remain unknown, although James "Milkman" Mielke and Andrew "Skip" Pfister have transferred to the1Up.com Network online.
Shortly after the release of thePS2 gameMonster Hunter, an online-only Event Quest was released which allowed players to obtain the "GMR Chrome Heart," a weapon prominently featuring an embossed GMR logo.
Each month had a title, e.g. "The Rainbow Issue", "The First Issue". These are listed where known.
When games were reviewed, they were rated on a scale of 1 to 10. (A score of 0 was twice used, forPostal² andPing Pals.) A score of 9 or 10 was considered excellent, 7 or 8 good, 4 to 6 mediocre, and 1 to 3 bad. As well, theGMR Essential Selection logo would be awarded to all games scoring 10 and some games scoring 9. With the rating would come a one- or two-word comment, often a pun on the game's title, and three lines of comparisons (usually "Better Than:/Not As Good As:/Wait For It:").
Previewers would rate their excitement about an upcoming game on a scale of 1 to 5 flames, although one-flame previews were absent and two-flame previews rare.
One of the most popular sections of the magazine was an editorial that appeared in the final pages of most every issue calledGame Geezer. The editorial was written as though it were being dictated by an excessively cranky old man in a humorous tone and was well regarded by readers for its concise opinions and arguments regarding the video game industry and player community.
Game Geezer was later revealed to be written byJeff Green, former editor-in-chief ofGames for Windows: The Official Magazine andComputer Gaming World. The column was also written, on a fill-in basis, by former Xbox Nation editor Greg Orlando.