Mega

Cover of issue 2, November 1992
Editor	Neil West Andy Dyer Gerry Doak Lee Brown
Categories	Video game journalism
Frequency	Monthly
First issue	October 1992
Final issue	1995
Company	Future Publishing 1992–1994 Maverick Magazines 1994–1995
Country	United Kingdom
Based in	Bath
Language	English
ISSN	0966-6206

Mega, subtitled "100% pure Sega Mega Drive...", was a monthly magazine, published in the United Kingdom, aimed at users of the Sega Mega Drive and its additions, the Mega-CD and 32X. During its time as one of the main Mega Drive publications, Mega covered the golden age of the Sega Mega Drive from 1992 to 1995. The magazine went through many changes including a re-design in content and layout before being sold to a rival publisher.

History

During the summer of 1992, the then Deputy Editor of Sega Power Neil West was given the position of launch Editor of the new Mega Drive magazine. Amanda Cook was drafted in from Amiga Power to serve as Art Editor. Andy Dyer, who had worked on Nintendo magazine Total!, was appointed as Deputy Editor. Paul Mellerick, ex-Sega Force writer, completed the four person editorial team as Staff Writer.

On 17 September the first issue was released Mega, cover dated October 1992, appeared on newsagent stands priced £1.95. Printed on glossy super A4 and put together with a quality front cover and spine, Mega adopted relatively high production values. The launch issue included much of what was to become the magazine's regular content: 'Mega City', previews, reviews, 'Mega Play', 'Arena', 'Mega Mouth' and the always controversial 'Top 100' games guide.

By the end of 1993 Neil West had crossed the Atlantic to help launch the well respected US magazine Next Generation Magazine, holding the title Chief-in-editor. Andy Dyer took over the editor's position and the magazine continued with success, showing a circulation of over 50,000 for the January – June period. However, for reasons unknown to its readers, Future Publishing decided to sell the magazine. The last Mega issue published under Future Publishing was issue 23, cover date August 1994. The event was listed, at a later date, on Future's website history pages.

In August 1994 Mega was now a Maverick Magazine and their first edition was the September 1994 issue, number 24. Already the publisher of rival Mega Drive title Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, Maverick stated that they wanted to cover the "Mega Drive specific market", having already bought another Mega Drive magazine MegaTech from EMAP. The 'Maverick' Mega had the same style and layout as the Future Mega but as the staff had changed, so had the magazine style. The page count was dwindling down every month and it was not too long before the magazine closed.

The magazine had a typical ABC of 45,000.^[1]

Editorial Style & Content

Staff

Neil West – Editor (1992–1993)

West worked on Sega Power in 1990, becoming deputy editor. He also contributed to several other Future titles like Commodore Format, Amiga Format and Amiga Power It was during this time that he also appeared many times on games TV shows such as GamesMaster, co-commentating with host Dominik Diamond on the latest games challenge.^[6] Also co-hosted, with Jane Goldman, the Games World reviews show House of Games broadcast on satellite TV.

Andy Dyer – Deputy Editor (1992–1993); Editor (1993–1994)

Dyer's first break into games journalism came about when he applied for a Staff Writer position for Commodore Format. His flatmate had noticed the advert for the launch of a new C64 magazine. He continued to work on CF until late 1991.

Along with fellow Commodore Format editor Steve Jarratt, he helped launch the independent Nintendo magazine Total!; a video games magazine initially focusing on the current Nintendo consoles NES and Game Boy, and later SNES and Nintendo 64. In 1992 Andy, along with Steve Jarratt, produced a paperback book on Nintendo games titled Total 42 – Life, the Universe and Nintendo Games.

He left Total! in the summer of 1992 to become Deputy Editor of Mega. Became editor in late 1993 when Neil West went over to work in the United States.^[7]

Paul Mellerick – Staff Writer

Mellerick started writing for Commodore 64 magazine Zzap!64, but would later move over to newly launched sister title Sega Force.^[8]

Joined Mega as staff writer for the launch issue in 1992 and continued to write for the magazine until its sale to Maverick Magazines in September 1994. He then moved over to work on Amiga Power as staff writer for the October 1994 issue.^[9] Mellerick later died of an undiagnosed heart condition at the age of 27.

Amanda Cook (later Amanda Dyson) – Art Editor

Although her official position was Art Editor, Cook was also credited for the odd review. Started on Amiga Power as Art Editor in November 1991. Left after July 1992 to help with the launch of Mega. Then left Mega to work on the TV show games magazine GamesMaster.

Jon Smith – Staff Writer

Moved on from Mega to work on Total Film. Later held the position of Head of External Development at Codemasters.^[10] He then moved to games developer TT Games as Development Director, where he was responsible for the production of LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game.^[10]

Josse Bilson – Staff Writer

A Staff Writer on the newly acquired Sega Zone in 1993. When Future Publishing sold the magazine to Maverick Magazines in early 1994, Bilson moved over to Mega as Staff Writer. Has also appeared on GamesMaster as a co-commentator during the fourth season. Appeared on GamesMaster in 1994 as co-commentator next to host Dominik Diamond.^[11] Later worked on PlayStation Power magazine.

Will Groves – Staff Writer

Groves joined Mega just before it was sold, so never got a real chance to contribute much to the magazine. He became editor of Future Publishing's game website 'gamesradar.com'.^[12] Later was promoted to Associate Producer of the CVG online network.^[13]

Contributors

Mega's credits mast contributed many writers each month. These writers would often contribute uncredited articles and reviews. Through the years these writers included Stuart Campbell, Andy Hutchinson, James Leach, Adam Waring, Richard Longhurst, Trenton Webb, Jonathan Davies and Gary Penn.

See also

• Video game journalism
• Video game industry
• Video game

References

External links

• Web site pages of Future Publishing
• World of Stuart; Mega pages. (games journalist Stuart Campbell).
• Archived Mega magazines on the Internet Archive