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columns including "Channel One" written by Apar, "Video
Programmer" written by Ken Winslow, "TV Den" by Bill Smolen, "VideoGram" by Susan March, "Fine Tuning" by Susan Prentiss and Roderick Woodcock, and "Arcade Alley" by Bill Kunkel and Arnie Katz. In 1982, the magazine layout was again altered, creating a new "Program Guide" division from former departments "Video Programming Guide/Program Directory", "Programming News & Views", "Top 50 Bestselling Titles, Sales & Rentals" (later renamed "Top 15" and then "Top 10"), and the new "Program Reviews". For the next decade, features and columns would come and go, but the overall format and layout would remain largely the same.
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546:, so for contractual reasons and to avoid tarnishing his name as a serious tech journalist, writing credits for Arcade Alley were given to Kunkel and Katz under the pseudonym Frank T. Laney II. Aiming to review three games per column, Kunkel and Katz often found that their biggest difficulty was the size of the market which often failed to produce enough new titles to review and forced the reviewers to accept any and all games for review. In an interview with
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438:), analyzed contemporary practices and trends in the field, and critically reviewed newly marketed products and equipment. From 1977 to 1979 the magazine was published quarterly with an annual buyer's guide for the coming year published at the end of each year. Features were run irregularly to semi-regularly with "New Products", "Reader Feedback", and the "VideoTest Report" series (with tests conducted by
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publication. The last issue of each year was a special edition titled "Video Buyer's Guide" which was intended to serve as a guide to products that consumers would be using during the upcoming year, thus the special Buyer's Guide published at the end of 1977 was titled "1978 Video Buyer's Guide". The buyer's guide proved popular among readers, selling 18,440 copies in 1977 and 25,635 copies in 1978.
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expressed concerns over whether there was enough interest in the new "sport" of "electronic gamesmanship" to justify a regular column on the topic. Despite these concerns, Rosenfield green-lighted the column which was inaugurated under the ambivalent philosophy of "we have nothing to lose", and the column proved to be a success among readers.
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for both home console and PC platforms, and honoring video games from the previous year for excellence in categories such as
Innovation, Gameplay (Competition, Solitaire-play, etc.), Audio-visual effects, and Genre (Science fiction, Sports, Adventure, etc.). Due to overwhelming reader support for the
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became a monthly publication and the new editor-in-chief, Bruce Apar, oversaw a number of format and layout changes with semi-regular features like "New
Products" and "Reader Feedback" becoming departments, "VideoTest Report" becoming its own division, and with the creation of a half-dozen regular
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which, under the oversight of editor Deeny Kaplan, had been publishing a series of articles called "VideoTest
Reports" that sporadically covered video game topics and reviewed collections of games. Apar was enthusiastic about the idea and approached Reese's publisher, Jay Rosenfield. He initially
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Working in direct consultation with game designers, Kunkel, Katz, and Worley are credited with popularizing video games for commercial markets and normalizing the pastime of gaming in its earliest years. During their time writing "Arcade Alley", both Kunkel and Katz contributed other articles to
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in finding the trademark to be generic, that it had failed to provide Reese an adequate opportunity to present all evidence, that state claims were not adjudicated, and that other bases for enjoining
Hampton's use of the mark had been ignored. The three-judge panel considered the mark's position
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s first advertising director). Berns's termination from this position only six months after he had been hired and his subsequent employment by competitor
Hampton soon led to Hampton's publication of a competing buyer's guide also titled "Video Buyer's Guide"—an act that provoked Reese to file an
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director Max H. Wolff, and contributors including
Kenneth Lorber, Dee Shannon, Wayne Hyde, and Ivan Berger and Lancelot Braithwaite. The magazine's first issue was published in November 1977 with subsequent issues appearing quarterly for the first three years until 1980 when it became a monthly
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and audio devices. The magazine showcases new audiovisual products, analyzes current practices and trends in the field, and provides critical reviews of newly marketed products and equipment. During its early years, it competed fiercely with contemporary journals like
359:
s recently terminated advertising director, David Berns, and the subsequent announcement of its intention to publish a buyer's guide titled "1980 Official Video Buyer's Guide". In its filing, Reese alleged injury to its "Video Buyer's Guide" trademark and requested
193:
as its regular column, "Arcade Alley", represents the earliest example of a video game column in a mainstream publication. Arcade Alley is credited with having popularized the nascent medium, leading its two main writers to create the first US video game magazine,
384:, denying Reese's motion for injunctive relief, and dismissing the complaint against Hampton. Vindicated, Hampton released its buyer's guide shortly afterward under the title "Hampton's Official 1980 Video Buyer's Guide".
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was tested as a one-off issue, but proved popular enough that it became a regular bi-monthly and then a monthly magazine. Despite this outlet, however, the three founders of Arcade Alley continued working for
308:
In 1982, additional changes were made to content structure with the addition of a
Program Guide, and the magazine's format and layout were set with minimal changes for the next decade. In March 1995,
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and co-publisher alongside
Rosenfield, and a number of structural and distribution changes took place for the magazine. Briefly anticipating a switch from quarterly to bi-monthly at the end of 1979,
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made because that was all there were". The depth of coverage given to the few titles available was notable for its time, and aspects interesting to the reader such as "
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s early years include "The Video
Environment" written by Dee Shannon, "Video Workshop" written by Ken Lorber, and "Technical Q&A" written by Wayne Hyde.
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added a new set of regular columns penned by contributors including Ken Winslow, Arnie Katz, Bill Smolen, Susan March, Susan Prentiss, Rod Woodcock, and
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magazine, appearing quarterly in 1979 and monthly beginning in 1980, and ran until issue August 1984 (Volume VIII, Number 5). It was created by
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The August 1979 legal filing by Reese Publishing Company against Hampton International Communications came at a time when competition between
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director Bruce Apar and national advertising director David Berns (assuming responsibility for this area from Rosenfield who had served as
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Bruce Apar became editor-in-chief in 1980 and "Arcade Alley" grew from a quarterly to a monthly column in parallel with the expansion of
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editor and author of "Ah, Sweet Idiocy!" Katz would begin writing "Arcade Alley" under his real name starting in April 1982.
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was considered the "number one magazine in the industry", and Katz dropped his pseudonym to write under his real name.
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in anticipation of Hampton's publication of this similarly titled guide. On September 10, 1979, in a ruling for the
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over the emerging home video market had reached a flash point. It was precipitated directly by Hampton's hiring of
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decided instead to publish on a monthly schedule. A number of semi-regular features were made into departments and
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column in 1980 has since become widely recognized as the first regular occurrence of consumer-oriented
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Ivan Berger and Lancelot Braithwaite) proving to be the most regular. Other repeated features during
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column, Kunkel, Katz, and Worley pitched the publication of the United States' first dedicated
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Kunkel, Bill and Arnie Katz. "Arcade Alley - An Important Message for 'Arcade Alley' Fans".
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soon shared the consumer video magazine market with publications like Richard Ekstract's
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magazine that was published from 1977 to 1999 by Reese Communications with a focus on
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The name Frank T. Laney II was chosen by Katz to honor Frank Towner Laney, an early
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Jay Rosenfield with a small team including editors Rena Adler and Deeny Kaplan,
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among others. The publication of Katz and Kunkel's "Arcade Alley" as a regular
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market. The magazine showcased new audiovisual products (e.g. TVs, VHS, and
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1022:(April 1982). "Arcade Alley: Ropin', Ridin', and Skatin' with Activision".
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cable channel, and Katz wrote "Televiews"—a television-specific column for
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staffers including Arnie Katz who claimed that Ekstract's later-published
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The Story Behind the REAL First Issue Cover of Electronic Gaming Magazine
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Langlois, Janet; Dorson, Richard M., ed., "Using a Folklore Archive" in
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culture. Through professional connections, they became acquainted with
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Managing Performing Arts Collections in Academic and Public Libraries
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unsuccessful lawsuit against Hampton for damage to their trademark.
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as well. Kunkel wrote one-off features and pieces on the then-new
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A Little Background On The World's First Ever Video Game Magazine
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s publishing frequency. This year also marked the launch of the
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Reese Publishing Company v. Hampton International Communications
550:, Katz recalled that "we had to review every single game that
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On Marketing - Sky-High Endorsements Likely If Jordan Returns
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as "Publishers Tuning In To Home Video" (December 28, 1979).
787:. Libraries Unlimited. Pp.82, 83, 99, 110, 112, 220. 1994.
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United Business Publications also published an affiliated
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to him the idea of a regular video game review column for
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affirmed the lower court decision and dismissed the case.
482:– A Critical Look at Video Cartridge Games & Programs
243:. Richard Ekstract was widely regarded as an imitator by
1046:... Easter Egg Hunting with Bill Kunkel and Joyce Worley
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U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
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in early 1980, Reese asserted that the lower court had
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prompted the hiring of several new staffers including
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A Lifetime to Master - An Interview with Bill Kunkel
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Reese Publ'g Co. Inc. v. Hampton Int'l Commc'ns Inc.
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CES Publishing Corp. v. St. Regis Publications, Inc.
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Obituary: Video Game Journalism Pioneer Bill Kunkel
422:Launching in November 1977 and concluding in 1999,
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403:Abercrombie & Fitch Co. v. Hunting World, Inc.
172:, and in 1999 it was merged with their bi-monthly
1179:Business magazines published in the United States
1026:. Vol. 6, no. 1. Reese Communications.
858:COLUMN: 'Game Mag Weaseling': In The Beginning...
1194:Defunct magazines published in the United States
1184:Monthly magazines published in the United States
1108:. "Rolling That Ole Debbil Stone - Postscript".
1155:Katz-Kunkel-Worley Journalistic Archive Gallery
680:Yoshihara, Nancy. "Home Video Spinoff Begins".
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262:By early 1979, however, marketing successes at
1000:". GoodDealGames.com. Accessed April 24, 2015.
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211:was founded in 1977 by Reese Communications
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380:holding "Video Buyer's Guide" to be a
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1209:Magazines published in New York City
884:Orphaned Computer & Game Systems
507:, Bruce Apar, in the late 1970s and
979:. Vol.5, No.12. Pg.42. March 1982.
713:Fulton, Steve (December 28, 2009).
800:, Indiana University Press, 1986.
387:Appealing the decision before the
227:Competition sprang up rapidly and
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253:was attempting to imitate Katz's
98:235 Park Avenue South, New York,
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1126:. No.85. Pg.108. October 1983.
1112:. September 1982. Vol.3, No.6.
953:". RetroMags.com. May 31, 2009.
410:In a published opinion, Judge
80:Reese Publishing Company, Inc.
56:Reese Publishing Company, Inc.
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1199:Magazines established in 1977
798:Handbook of American Folklore
1070:. Vol.1, No.1. Winter 1981.
910:. Vol.1, No.1. Winter 1981.
692:(December 26, 1979), and in
817:VIDEO MAGAZINE is unearthed
530:interactive gaming programs
398:spectrum of distinctiveness
312:was acquired from Reese by
281:In 1980, Bruce Apar became
168:was acquired from Reese by
147:is a discontinued American
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1159:Videogame History Museum
951:The Game Doctor Is In...
932:. Rolenta Press. 1997.
837:March 22, 2016, at the
634:science fiction fanzine
340:and rival publications
189:lies in the history of
964:Interview: Bill Kunkel
528:cable channel and the
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362:preliminary injunctive
962:Thomasson, Michael. "
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393:abused its discretion
303:video game journalism
191:video game journalism
185:Today, the legacy of
1096:. December 29, 2009.
746:. September 6, 2011.
689:The Spokesman-Review
428:consumer electronics
346:Video Buyer's Review
237:Video Buyer's Review
162:Video Buyer's Review
149:consumer electronics
38:1977-1979: Quarterly
1140:An Edge in My Voice
843:laserdiscplanet.com
781:Sheehy, Carolyn A.
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314:Hachette Filipacchi
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170:Hachette Filipacchi
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1123:The Comics Journal
1044:Stilphen, Scott. "
878:Federico, Chris. "
765:. March 14, 1995.
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378:memorandum opinion
323:Sound & Vision
217:marketing director
179:Sound & Vision
40:1980-1999: Monthly
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949:Williams, Carl. "
926:Herman, Leonard.
856:Gifford, Kevin. "
736:Cifaldi, Frank. "
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1138:(1984) and
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295:Bill Kunkel
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69:Final issue
61:First issue
1173:Categories
643:References
432:home video
350:Home Video
241:Home Video
1132:0194-7869
1118:0196-8793
1076:0730-6687
1032:0147-8907
985:0147-8907
916:0730-6687
771:1085-6706
743:Gamasutra
720:Gamasutra
548:Gamasutra
452:In 1980,
213:publisher
123:0147-8907
53:Publisher
35:Frequency
1142:(1985)).
835:Archived
426:covered
372:, Judge
107:Language
95:Based in
619:titled
532:of the
509:pitched
494:fanzine
418:Content
204:History
135:3428421
85:Country
77:Company
1130:
1116:
1093:Kotaku
1074:
1030:
983:
936:
914:
804:
769:
473:column
348:, and
45:Format
1163:Video
1024:Video
977:Video
604:Notes
598:Video
594:Video
566:'
563:Video
552:Atari
538:Video
522:Video
513:Video
501:'
498:Video
486:Video
454:Video
447:'
444:Video
424:Video
357:'
354:Video
338:Video
310:Video
299:Video
291:Video
287:Video
275:'
272:Video
264:Video
245:Video
229:Video
209:Video
187:Video
166:Video
153:video
144:Video
102:10003
48:28 cm
20:Video
1128:ISSN
1114:ISSN
1072:ISSN
1028:ISSN
981:ISSN
934:ISBN
912:ISSN
802:ISBN
767:ISSN
666:F.2d
664:620
534:QUBE
526:ESPN
364:and
160:and
130:OCLC
118:ISSN
100:N.Y.
72:1999
1157:at
1090:".
1064:".
882:".
860:".
841:at
819:at
759:".
740:".
1175::
1018:;
1005:^
904:"
891:^
871:^
849:^
729:^
717:.
703:^
673:^
650:^
344:,
326:.
305:.
259:.
200:.
182:.
1165:.
1060:"
1034:.
987:.
940:.
723:.
623:.
477:"
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