Dear CGW,
Let's get one thing straight: the April issue of Computer Gaming
World completely and unmistakably appalls me. I am utterly aghast with the editorial
standards of Computer Gaming World. With this one issue, you have spent every last penny
of your brand equity, and worst of all, made a mockery of the entire interactive
entertainment industry. To call the cover image of a large-chested girl with blood
dripping down her chin a mistake would be putting it lightly - this is a cataclysmic folly
that makes a mockery of an entire industry. (An industry that your magazine has helped to
build brick by brick for over a decade.) Are you proud of yourselves?
I mean, I just don't understand how anyone at Computer Gaming World
could even begin to allow this issue to go to print. Do you have any quality controls
standards? Any checks and balances? Your magazine is not just an excuse to play out an
editor's sexual fantasies on the cover. It is (or at leas was) an icon for the industry; a
symbol of what interactive entertainment on the PC is all about. I am utterly ashamed to
even admit I've ever read an issue of CGW after seeing this cover.
When I bought CGW today at a bookstore in Century City, California,
I was embarrassed to put it up on the desk. I considered sandwiching it between the other
magazines I was buying, but I didn't - After all, I'm proud to be a PC gamer. But once the
cashier saw the cover, she looked up at me and proceeded to roll her eyes and gently bite
her lip. (This usually doesn't happen when Alpha Centauri or a Robot is on the cover).
After all, this is a magazine about COMPUTER GAMES. This is not a pornographic magazine,
much to the chagrin of whoever approved this sick cover. And I mean that with all
sincerity. The cover image is sick. I cannot even begin to fathom how anyone could approve
this image, even if it is a desperate plea for attention and circulation. Has CGW really
fallen this far?
Where is the CGW of old? It was the magazine I'd faithfully read
every month to find out about the hobby I loved. It wasn't the magazine that would have
Angel Carter on the cover, and promote her pornographic website on the inside table of
contents page. 'Visit her website at www.bombshellempire.com' you say, without any mention
that it contains obscene and disturbing pornographic images (natch). The CGW of old
wouldn't end the first page of a major cover story with this line: "…turn the
page, if you dare. Bwah-hah-hah-hah-ha-hah!!! (Okay, was that scary?)" This is an
actual phrase from your magazine. Who decided to throw quality and professionalism out the
window?
How do you think the developers of Vampire: The Masquerade,
Nocturne, and Werewolf: The Apocalypse feel about being on the cover of your magazine?
When you decide to put some scantly clad female on the cover of your magazine instead of
an image from their games, what are you trying to say -- That games aren't good enough to
sell your magazine? That you've finally decided to throw in the towel and not treat the
industry with any respect? Well I'm sorry CGW, but you have just lost all the respect I
had for your magazine and its editorial standards.
Sitting here with the magazine on my desk, I almost want to put it
in a brown paper bag. It's a bit of a paradox - I'm proud to be involved in this industry,
but I'm ashamed to own the April issue of Computer Gaming World. Something has to go. That
something is Computer Gaming World. It's is thoroughly ironic that just to the left of the
model's chest is the tagline, "Game of the Year Awards." Here you are
celebrating the best of gaming in 1998 and presenting this cover image? Please, spare me.
Yes, I realize by writing to you I am not doubt playing right into
your hand, but believe me, the repercussions of your actions will be much more severe than
any simple spike in circulation for one issue.
You must recall this magazine immediately and fire whoever was
responsible for this cover. What steps are you taking today to this end? I want answers.
The industry wants answers. You should all be very ashamed of yourselves.
There's no passing the buck here.
You guys screwed up big time.
The garlic's in the mail,
Geoff
