How a gaming magazine once accidentally distributed a computer virus to its loyal readers
In short: Founded in 1993, PC Gamer has long been a pillar of gaming journalism. Yet, its history includes more than just reviews and hardware guides. From navigating virtual basements to a notorious 1998 malware incident, the magazine has evolved from a floppy-disk-bundled publication into a global digital media powerhouse.
Launched in the United Kingdom in November 1993, PC Gamer quickly established itself as a leading voice in the industry. The American edition followed in June 1994, and both versions are published by Future plc. Throughout the 1990s, the magazine was famous for its cover discs, which transitioned from 3.5-inch floppy disks to CDs and eventually DVDs. These discs often featured interactive menus, such as a virtual 'basement' that users navigated like a game to access demos and patches.
This era of physical media came with unexpected risks. In July 1998, the cover disc included in the UK, Swedish, and Slovenian editions was infected with the Marburg virus. CNN Money reported that this incident turned the malware into a widespread threat. By 2011, the UK edition opted to discontinue the discs entirely, choosing instead to reinvest in higher-quality paper stock and expanded magazine content. Today, the publication focuses on its digital presence, hosting a unified website and community for both US and UK readers.
The magazine is known for its rigorous review process, which uses a percentage-based scale. For decades, the UK edition maintained a ceiling of 96% for top-tier titles like Half-Life 2 and Minecraft. This changed in August 2023, when Baldur's Gate 3 became the first game to break that barrier with a 97% rating. Conversely, the publication has never shied away from harsh critiques; the lowest scores in the UK edition include a 2% rating for Big Brother: The Game, with the magazine noting that the effort put into the review matched the effort put into the game's development.
Beyond reviews, the magazine covers hardware, modding, and gaming culture. It has survived industry shifts, including the 1999 acquisition of rival PC Games and the 2018 purchase of PC PowerPlay. While the medium has moved from print-first to digital-first, the brand remains a central authority, hosting events like the PC Gaming Show at E3 since 2015 and maintaining a legacy of in-depth, dedicated PC coverage.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: PC Gamer
- Also: Wikidata — PC Gamer · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — PC Gamer Game of the Year · CC0
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