video game
A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...
magazine founded in 1984 as ''Beep'' and published by
SB Creative
is a Japanese publishing company and a subsidiary of the SoftBank telecommunications company. It was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities ...
. During its history, it was known variously as ''Beep'', ''Sega Saturn Magazine'', ''Dreamcast Magazine'', and finally ''Gemaga''. When it ended publication in May 2012, it was the longest-running Japanese game magazine.
History
The magazine was started by Softbank Publishing in 1984 as a monthly publication under the name ''Beep'' to cover
video game
A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...
s for
home computer
Home computers were a class of microcomputers that entered the market in 1977 and became common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a s ...
s,
arcade machine
An arcade cabinet, also known as an arcade machine or a coin-op cabinet or coin-op machine, is the housing within which an arcade game's electronic hardware resides. Most cabinets designed since the mid-1980s conform to the Japanese Amusement Ma ...
s and gaming consoles. Its original layout was inspired by the men's magazine ''
Popeye
Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by E. C. Segar, Elzie Crisler Segar.
The original ''Beep'' magazine was discontinued on 8 March 1989. The editor-in-chief, Yoji Kawaguchi pitched a new format to SoftBank: two separate magazines, one which covers games for
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis, known as the outside North America, is a 16-bit Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master Sys ...
, and one which is dedicated to the upcoming
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, commonly shortened to Super Nintendo, Super NES or SNES, is a Fourth generation of video game consoles, 16-bit home video game console developed by Nintendo that was released in 1990 in Japan, 1991 in No ...
. The publisher was more interested in Nintendo, since it was more popular in Japan than Sega, but agreed to start with the Mega Drive-themed publication because the new Nintendo console was delayed from its original launch date in 1989. The new publication was named ''Beep! Mega Drive''. Kawaguchi decided to keep the original name ''Beep'' to emphasize the continuity between the publications. The magazine went from a monthly to a twice-monthly publication.
In 1995 coverage of Mega Drive was withdrawn in favour of the
Sega Saturn
The is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it is the successor to the succes ...
. The magazine was renamed ''Sega Saturn Magazine''. Kawaguchi decided to drop "Beep" from its name because according to him, it had served its purpose. The magazine became a weekly publication. In 1998 it was rebranded as ''Dreamcast Magazine'' and changed its focus from Saturn to
Sega Dreamcast
The is the final home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was released in Japan on November 27, 1998, in North America on September 9, 1999 and in Europe on October 14, 1999. It was the first sixth-generation video game console, prec ...
.
Sega discontinued the Dreamcast on March 31, 2001, but the magazine survived by rebranding itself again. The title was changed to its previously informal name ''Dorimaga'' (short for "Dreamcast Magazine") and became a multiplatform publication. In 2006 the magazine changed its name again, to ''Gemaga'', which is short for "Games Magazine".
In January 2012, it was announced by the publisher that ''Gemaga'' was to close. The May 2012 issue was the last of the magazine. At the time of its closure it was the longest-running magazine devoted to videogames in Japan.
Notes
References
{{reflist, refs=
{{cite book
, title= 懐かしファミコンパーフェクトガイド
, publisher= マガジンボックス
, page= 107
, isbn= 978-4906735891
, language= ja
, year= 2016
{{cite web
, author = 川口洋司
, url = https://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/column/masudaretro/1088721.html
, title = Beep元編集長 川口洋司氏が語るライバル誌ログインと、今だから言える『MYST』制作時のミス
, language = ja
, website = AKIBA PC Hotline!
, publisher = Impress
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, url-status=live
{{cite web
, url = https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/feature/1310283.html
, title = 「セガハードヒストリア」のヒストリア～または製作日記【第1回】
, language = ja
, website = GAME Watch
, publisher = Impress
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, archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210607044309/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/feature/1310283.html
, url-status=live
{{cite web
, url = https://group.softbank/news/press/19981105
, title = 週刊ドリームキャストマガジン創刊
, language = ja
, publisher =
Softbank
is a Japanese multinational Investment company, investment holding company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, that focuses on investment management. The group primarily invests in companies operating in technology that offer goods and services ...
, date = 1998-11-05
, access-date = 2021-11-25
, archive-date = 2020-11-01
, archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201101013336/https://group.softbank/news/press/19981105
, url-status=live
{{cite web
, url = https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0105/11/news04.html
, title = 新装刊！「ドリマガ」絶賛発売中！
, language = ja
, website = IT media
, date = 2001-11-05
, access-date = 2021-11-25
, archive-date = 2021-11-26
, archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211126000654/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0105/11/news04.html
, url-status=live
{{cite web
, url = http://www.gamenews.ne.jp/archives/2006/04/530.html
, title = 総合ゲーム月刊誌ドリマガ、5月30日発売号から「ゲーマガ」に誌名変更
, language = ja
, website = Garbage News
, date = 2006-05-03
, access-date = 2021-11-25
, archive-date = 2016-04-10
, archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160410143255/http://www.gamenews.ne.jp/archives/2006/04/530.html
, url-status=live
{{cite web
, author = Brenna Hillier
, url = https://www.vg247.com/japans-oldest-games-magazine-to-end-in-march
, title = Japan's oldest games magazine to end in March
, language = en
, website =
VG247
Gamer Network Limited (formerly Eurogamer Network Limited) is a British digital media company based in London. Founded in 1999 by Rupert and Nick Loman, it owns brands—primarily editorial websites—relating to video game journalism and ot ...
, date = 2012-01-18
, access-date = 2021-11-25
, archive-date = 2021-11-26
, archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211126000613/https://www.vg247.com/japans-oldest-games-magazine-to-end-in-march
, url-status=live
{{cite web
, author = ウメ
, url = http://gemaga.sbcr.jp/2012/03/post-ca66.html
, title = 退職のお知らせ
, language = ja
, website = Gemaga
, date = 2012-03-31
, archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120404183610/http://gemaga.sbcr.jp/2012/03/post-ca66.html
, access-date = 2021-11-27
, archive-date = 2012-04-04
{{cite web
, author = Eric Caoili
, url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-em-final-fantasy-brigade-em-em-metal-gear-rising-em-and-more-in-this-week-s-japanese-news-roundup
, title = Final Fantasy Brigade, Metal Gear Rising and more in this week's Japanese news roundup
, language = en
, website = Game Developer
, date = 2012-01-23
, access-date = 2021-11-27
, archive-date = 2021-08-27
, archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210827174258/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-em-final-fantasy-brigade-em-em-metal-gear-rising-em-and-more-in-this-week-s-japanese-news-roundup
, url-status = live
{{cite web
, author = Kevin Gifford
, url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/analysis-the-state-of-game-magazines-in-japan
, title = Analysis: The State Of Game Magazines In Japan
, language = en
, website =
Gamasutra
''Game Developer'' (known as ''Gamasutra'' until 2021) is a website created in 1997 that focuses on aspects of video game development. It is owned and operated by Informa TechTarget and acted as the online sister publication to the print maga ...