Computer Gaming World (CGW) is the oldest video game publication still in continuous circulation. Founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly newsletter, it was eventually bought by Ziff Davis, a large publishing house, and became the cornerstone of a series of digital-gaming-related magazines.

The publication is currently edited by Jeff Green, a veteran games journalist. A unique feature of Computer Gaming World is its policy of requiring its writers to finish every game they review. It is also well-known for its policy of never "puffing-up" reviews for games that advertise with the magazine.

Content

CGW is published 13 times a year, and features reviews, previews, news, features, letters, strategy, and columns for PC games. Currently, two of its most popular features are "Scorched Earth", a final-page column/rant written by Executive Editor Robert Coffey, and "Tom vs. Bruce" a unique, "duelling-diaries" piece in which writers Tom Chick and Bruce Geryk log their gameplay experience as each tries to best the other at a given game. "Tom vs. Bruce" sometimes features a guest appearance by Erik Wolpaw, formerly of Old Man Murray.

For a time, CGW resisted the industry push for more preview-heavy content, but now commonly features as many or more previews in each issue as it does reviews. This is the standard throughout the industry. However, the core of CGW is still its erudite, witty and accurate reviews; these are the reason that many more hardcore PC gamers (who, as a rule, are slightly older and more educated than their console counterparts) read the magazine.

The reviews are based on a simple five-star structure, with five stars marking a truly outstanding game, and one star signalling virtual worthlessness. On very rare occassions, CGW has resorted to applying a zero stars rating: once by Robert Coffey for Postal² and once by Jeff Green for Mistmare.

Circulation

According to MDS Computer Gaming World has a circulation of 301,459 as of 2003, making it one of the most popular computer magazines in the United States. In this regard, it is slightly behind competitor (and industry arch-rival) PC Gamer.

Awards

In 1988, CGW won the Origins Award for Best Professional Adventure Gaming Magazine of 1987.