previousgen

[previousgen]

This coupon was missing from my copy of this issue. 

As an interesting aside: Wikipedia says FFVII came out on 9/7/97, but the coupon says it’s valid from 9/2... Is this a screw-up? Did I get my copy of FFVII before the official release date? And whatever happened to that t-shirt...?

[previousgen]

A two-page preview for Everquest. I like the “will this sort of thing ever catch on?” tone of this preview.

[previousgen]

A two-page preview for Daikatana. To NG’s credit, they seem suitably skeptical.

[previousgen]

A preview for Half-Life. “Seattle-based Valve... has grown to a staff of 20.” Can you imagine? Twenty whole staff members! I bet big things are coming for this little upstart dev studio.

[previousgen]

Here’s a two-page spread from ‘97 advertising Magic: The Gathering. It’s, uh... it has kind of a weird aesthetic.

[previousgen]

Speaking of cringe-worthy ad copy, here’s a two-page spread for the original Shadow Warrior. 

[previousgen]

An “interview” with Lara Croft advertising PowerVR graphics tech. This is hands down the most cringe-worthy ad copy I have ever read.

[previousgen]

So much of what we’re excited about in games today is the product of the things begun in the late ‘90s. Here’s a two-page ad spread for the original Fallout.

[previousgen]

A two-page preview of the first Metal Gear Solid. 1997.

[previousgen]

A two-page preview of Armored Core, the newest game by “From Soft.” 

[previousgen]

Here’s a feature on “the six elements of good game design,” which the article posits are balance, creativity, character, focus, tension, and energy. Pretty broad, but still pretty applicable, I’d say. As a bonus, though, check out the captions for the images, some of which just *do not* match up. 

[previousgen]

Title page of an interview with John Romero, June 1997. Seemed timely.

[previousgen]

Review of the original Diablo. 1997.

[previousgen]

“Think FMV sucks? Let Rob Schneider convince you otherwise!”

[previousgen]

This 1997 magazine ad for Emperor of the Fading Suns is a touch crude for my tastes, but I have to say I love the idea.

[previousgen]

A little tidbit about the military’s custom-built version of Battlezone.

[previousgen]

An anecdote about the founding of MicroProse. Pretty neat!