''PC Accelerator'' (''PCXL'') was an American

personal computer game A personal computer game, or abbreviated PC game, also known as a computer game, is a video game played on a personal computer (PC). The term ''PC game'' has been popularly used since the 1990s referring specifically to games on "Wintel" (Micr ...

magazine A magazine is a periodical literature, periodical publication, print or digital, produced on a regular schedule, that contains any of a variety of subject-oriented textual and visual content (media), content forms. Magazines are generally fin ...

that was published by

Imagine Media Future US, Inc. (formerly known as Imagine Media and The Future Network USA) is an American media corporation specializing in targeted magazines and websites in the video games, music, and technology markets. Headquartered in New York City, ...

(currently a

subsidiary A subsidiary, subsidiary company, or daughter company is a company (law), company completely or partially owned or controlled by another company, called the parent company or holding company, which has legal and financial control over the subsidia ...

Future plc Future plc is a British publishing company. It was started in 1985 by Chris Anderson (entrepreneur), Chris Anderson. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. History 1985–2012 The company was ...

). It was known for its ''

Maxim Maxim or Maksim may refer to: Entertainment *Maxim (magazine), ''Maxim'' (magazine), an international men's magazine ** Maxim (Australia), ''Maxim'' (Australia), the Australian edition ** Maxim (India), ''Maxim'' (India), the Indian edition *Maxim ...

''-like humor and photography.

History and profile

''PC Accelerator'' was started by Imagine Media in 1998. The first issue was published in September 1998. The magazine was published on a monthly basis. Its last issue was dated June 2000. After the split up of the magazine,

editor-in-chief An editor-in-chief (EIC), also known as lead editor or chief editor, is a publication's editorial leader who has final responsibility for its operations and policies. The editor-in-chief heads all departments of the organization and is held accoun ...

Mike Salmon went on to start the ''

Official Xbox Magazine ''Official Xbox Magazine'' (''OXM'') was a British monthly video game magazine which started in November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released at E3 2001, with another preview issue in November 2001. The maga ...

''. While some of the staff was sent to ''

PC Gamer ''PC Gamer'' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games m ...

'', others went on to work for Daily Radar. In September 2007, a special Fall issue of ''PCXL'' was released to newsstands only. This issue was primarily written by the current staff of ''PC Gamer'' with contributions by former ''PCXL'' staff including Rob Smith and Dan Egger.

Format

Games were reviewed on a scale of 0-10. ''Half-Life'' was the only game to receive an 11 (in the February 1999 issue).

Staff

*Mike Salmon: Editor in Chief and writer. *Rob Smith: Executive Editor who went on to helm ''

''. *Ed Lee: Writer who eventually left to enter law school. *Chuck Osborn: A native of

Austin, Texas Austin ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat and most populous city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and W ...

. Chuck went on to work for ''PC Gamer''. *Matt Holmes: associate editor. *Eric Smith: Asst. Art Director, then Art Director after Kyle departed. *Dan Egger: A junior editor for the magazine. *Carrie Shepherd: The managing editor for the publication. *Quinton Doroquez aka "Q": Original Art Director who designed the layout for the magazine. *Kyle LeBoeuf: Asst. Art Director, then Art Director after Quinton departed. *Erik Piller: Marketing Manager / Webmaster. *Caroline Simpson-Bint: Publisher. *Caitlyn Meeks: CD-ROM designer, also worked for ''PC Gamer''. There were more editors and artists that followed.

Characters

*"Hector the Scarecrow" - Crafted from a coatrack and gas mask. Hector was dangled from the sprinkler system to appear more lifelike and eventually made a fire inspector very angry. Hector appeared in six issues. *"Gia DeCarlo" - An intern who worked at the magazine. *"Limey the Lima Bean" - Says "Screw you" to everyone. *"Quake Guy" - Frequent hero of Ed Lee Comic Strips. *"Laura" *"Future Guy" - Future Guy lived one year in the future and knew a year in advance that ''PCXL'' was going to get canned.

Easter Eggs

There was a game reviewed in the magazine that never existed... and was completely fabricated including screenshots, developer interviews, company website and a developer company front. The small legal print found in the first few pages of the later magazines had hidden messages and swearing.

''PC Gamer'' Versus ''PCXL'' matches

Every night, the staffs of ''PC Gamer'' and ''PCXL'' would challenge each other to massive team on team '' Rainbow Six'' battles.

References

External links

PCXL.com (ARCHIVED)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pc Accelerator Future plc Monthly magazines published in the United States Defunct video game magazines published in the United States Defunct computer magazines published in the United States Magazines established in 1998 Magazines disestablished in 2000 Home computer magazines