1UP collection of electronic gaming media coverage
Collection Scope and Content Note
The 1UP collection of electronic gaming media coverage contains VHS cassettes, Beta cassettes, a CD-ROM, and a DVM cassette from the late 1990s and early 2000s. These cassettes contain recorded news stories on various games, recordings of G4 Television, and various live recordings of festivals and conventions about video games. The bulk of the materials are dated between 2000 and 2004. Also included in the collection are optical disks containing assets, files, and layouts for the production of Game Now, The Official PlayStation Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and more. Additional scope and content information can be found in the “Contents List” section of this finding aid.
This collection is part of ICHEG’s Computer Gaming World collection, a large group of magazines and review copies of games donated to the museum in 2011 and 2012 by 1UP.com.
The 1UP collection of electronic gaming media coverage is arranged into four series, one of which is further divided into subseries. The materials are housed in 14 archival document boxes.
Dates
- Creation: 1995-2008
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. At this time, audiovisual and digital files in this collection are limited to on-site researchers only. It is possible that certain formats may be inaccessible or restricted.
Conditions Governing Use
Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, he has given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.
Historical Note
During the 1990s, American publisher Ziff Davis owned two major magazine titles which contained coverage of the video game world: Computer Gaming World (concentrating on computer games) and Electronic Gaming Monthly (covering home console video games). These magazines offered game reviews, strategy articles, recurring columns, news, and other commentary on the gaming world. In 2003, Ziff Davis launched 1UP.com as an online expansion of Electronic Gaming Monthly.
Various cable news stations and television shows aired interviews with journalists from these magazines during segments about the video game industry. Staff from both Computer Gaming World and Electronic Gaming Monthly appeared on air, discussing video games and their ratings, content, and appeal to gamers. While Computer Gaming World ceased publication in 2006, Electronic Gaming Monthly still produces monthly issues and has expanded its content to include computer games.
Full Extent
11.5 Linear Feet (14 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The 1UP collection of electronic gaming media coverage is a combination of VHS cassettes, Beta cassettes, a CD-ROM, and a DVM cassette containing recorded news stories, recordings of G4 Television, and various live recordings of festivals and conventions, all of which relate to video games of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Also included in the collection are optical disks containing assets, files, and layouts for the production of Game Now, The Official PlayStation Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and more.
System of Arrangement
Series I: Video game reviews, 2000-2004
Subseries A: Electronic Gaming Monthly
Subseries B: Computer Gaming World
Subseries C: G4
Subseries D: Ziff Davis Media
Subseries E: Other video game reviews
Series II: Video game event coverage, 1999-2004
Series III: Publication layouts, 1995-2008
Subseries A: Dreamcastmagazine, June 1999-March 2000
Subseries B: Electronics Boutique, 1999
Subseries C: Electronic Gaming Monthly, 1998-2008
Subseries D: Expert Codebook, 1998-2001
Subseries E: Expert Gamer, 1998-2001
Subseries F: GameNOW, 2001-2004
Subseries G: GMR, 2003-2004
Subseries H: Official PlayStation Guide, 1997-2007
Subseries I: Pocket Games, 1999-2005
Subseries J: Video Game Buyers Guide, 1996-2002
Subseries K: XBN, 2002-2004
Subseries L: Other publications, 1995-2005
Series IV: Miscellaneous, 1999-2004
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The 1UP collection of electronic gaming media coverage was donated to The Strong in January 2011 as a gift from Frank Cifaldi, on behalf of 1UP.com. The materials were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 111.477 and received from Frank Cifaldi, along with a donation of magazines and electronic games. The 848 additional optical disks were donated to The Strong in May 2012 as a gift from 1UP.com. The materials were accessioned under Activity ID 11312.
Processed by
Robert Ramos, April 2016. Additional lot of materials processed and described by Stephanie Ball, May 2025.
Subject
- Hsu, Dan (Person)
- Boyer, Crispin (Person)
- Intihar, Bryan (Person)
- Mielke, James (Person)
- Zuniga, Todd (Person)
- Leahy, Dan (Person)
- Green, Jeff (Person)
- G4 (Television station: Los Angeles, Calif.) (Organization)
- Cable News Network (CNN) (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the 1UP Collection of Electronic Gaming Media Coverage, 1995-2008 —
- Author
- Robert Ramos
- Date
- 25 April 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2025 May.: Integrated activity 11312 [848 optical disks] from the library to the collection and updated finding aid to include same.
Repository Details
Part of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong Repository
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org