Edge Issue No. 1

Edge Issue No. 1 was the inaugural issue of Edge magazine, a British video gaming publication launched in 1993. The magazine focused on the video game industry, featuring previews, reviews, industry news, and technological developments. This first issue established the magazine's comprehensive approach to covering the gaming world with an emphasis on emerging technologies and platforms.

Table of Contents

The magazine was organized into several key sections:

• Contacts (Editorial team and contact information)
• Insideview
• News
• Release Dates
• Charts
• Surround Sound (Technology feature)
• Letters
• "What do you want?" (Reader feedback section)
• Subscribe
• Over the Edge

Cover and Featured Content

The first issue featured a futuristic design approach consistent with the magazine's focus on cutting-edge gaming technology. The cover story focused on the future of gaming technology with quotes from industry visionaries displayed prominently.

Editorial Team and Contributors

The magazine was published by Future Publishing Ltd. Based in the UK, the magazine had an editorial team focused on providing comprehensive coverage of the video gaming industry. The complete masthead appeared in the contacts section of the magazine.

Sections and Regular Features

News

The news section covered developments across the gaming industry, with particular attention to hardware manufacturers like Sega, Nintendo, Commodore, and Atari. Major stories included:

• Launch plans for Commodore and Atari CD-based systems
• Sega's partnership with W Industries for Virtual Reality development
• Nintendo's price reductions on game cartridges
• Hollywood's entry into Full Motion Video (FMV) technology
• The announcement of the Future Entertainment Show at Olympia

Prescreen

This section previewed upcoming games across multiple platforms, including:

• Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep
• Top Gear 2
• Impossible Mission
• Starlord
• F-14 Fleet Defender
• Thunderhawk
• TFX and Inferno
• Jurassic Park
• Rise of the Robots
• Castlevania titles
• Landstalker

Testscreen

The review section evaluated recently released games with a rating system out of ten:

• Super Street Fighter II (SNES) - 9/10
• Mortal Kombat (SNES) - 8/10
• The 7th Guest (CD-i) - 7/10
• Ecco the Dolphin (Mega CD) - 8/10
• Dracula (CD-i) - 7/10
• V-Wing (Mega Drive) - 7/10
• Lands of Lore (PC) - 7/10
• Super Mario All Stars (SNES) - 8/10
• Gradius II (PC Engine CD) - 7/10
• Rainbow Islands (PC Engine CD) - 8/10
• Sunset Riders (Super NES) - 7/10
• Zombies Ate My Neighbors (Super NES) - 7/10
• Gunstar Heroes (Mega Drive) - 9/10

Release Dates

A comprehensive multiformat release schedule covering upcoming games for:

• Super NES
• Mega Drive / Mega CD
• PC Engine / Super CD-ROM
• PC
• Amiga

Charts

Sales and popularity charts for different gaming platforms, including "Edge's classic five" and "most-wanted" games.

Technology Features

The magazine included technology-focused coverage:

• A major feature on 3DO, examining whether it would be the "ultimate CD games machine"
• A detailed look at surround sound technology in gaming, covering Dolby Surround and QSound
• "Intravenous After Burner," an article about the making of Microcosm and CD-ROM technology

Special Reports or Investigations

The 3DO feature served as the main investigative piece, examining the technology, interviewing key figures like Trip Hawkins, and analyzing industry perspectives on the new platform's potential.

Interviews and Profiles

The magazine featured quotes from industry visionaries in its "futureview" section, discussing their predictions for gaming technology. The issue also included interviews with developers at Psygnosis about their CD-ROM title Microcosm.

Photography and Artwork

The magazine utilized a combination of game screenshots, product photography, and technical diagrams. The visual style was modern and technical, reflecting the cutting-edge focus of the publication.

Advertising and Commercial Aspects

The magazine contained advertisements for gaming products, mail-order services, and upcoming releases. A notable two-page spread advertised PC and Amiga software.

Reception and Impact

This debut issue established Edge as a more technically-focused and industry-oriented gaming publication compared to its contemporaries, with emphasis on emerging technologies like CD-ROM, 3DO, and surround sound audio.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Launch timing was significant, as the magazine debuted during a pivotal transition period in the gaming industry:

• Traditional cartridge-based systems (SNES, Mega Drive) were at their peak
• CD-ROM technology was emerging as the next frontier (Mega CD, 3DO, CD-i)
• Companies like Commodore and Atari were making "last-gasp" attempts at relevance
• The technology featured (like FMV and 3DO) represented what were believed to be the next evolutionary steps in gaming

Legacy and Influence

Edge Issue No. 1 documented a crucial moment in gaming history, capturing the industry during a significant technological transition. The magazine's focus on cutting-edge technology and industry insights established the template for its ongoing coverage approach. References:

• Edge Magazine Archive (1993-2023)
• Future Publishing Ltd. Corporate Records
• British Library Periodicals Collection