Forgotten Worlds #1. Ask me anything…
I used to read a hip hop magazine back in the day called Fat Lace. It was great. Full of Irreverent takes on the genre by a group of “ageing b-boys” from the UK - shout outs to DJ Yoda and Greenpeace.
Anyway, one of the things I liked about the magazine was their self-appraisal at the end of each issue. They’d have a round-table discussion and talk about what they liked and didn’t like about the issue.
This isn’t that. But it is inspired by the same sense of exhausted self-awareness and creeping dread. A self-moderated ask-me-anything about the debut issue of Forgotten Worlds. So if you’re on the fence about buying a copy or just want to learn more about the project read on.
What is Forgotten Worlds exactly?
It’s a magazine about old video game magazines. A COVID fever dream that has now taken physical form. Buy it here.
I’ve spent the past two years interviewing the editors and writers that I looked up to as a kid and writing about the impact of video game magazines on a generation of kids in the 80s and 90s. The debut issue of the magazine has just been released - but up until now it’s also been a website and Twitter account.
So what do I get for my money?
A limited edition magazine about old video game magazines is the short answer.
The longer (more accurate) answer is a 64 page, perfect bound, full-colour publication that celebrates the golden era of video games. It’s limited to just 200 copies worldwide. The first issue features articles on:
Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM)
Computers and Video Games (CVG)
Mean Machines
DieHard GameFan
Video Games & Computer Entertainment (VG&CE)
+ more
There’s also an interview with Julian ‘Jaz’ Rignall, some other features, and various little tactile extras I’ve hidden between the covers.
Is it A5?
Nope, I spent way too much money producing a bespoke sized magazine that’s somewhere between A5 and A4. I did that so that the scans of old magazines could be properly read by the folks at home. But in hindsight it’s been a very expensive indulgence.
The postage seems kinda steep?
I know, I know… Unfortunately that’s how much it costs to send the magazine from Australia. I wish it was cheaper, but the size and weight means it *literally* cost $11.50 AUD to mail these overseas. Blame inflation, COVID, the tyranny of distance and the blood sucking freaks at Australian Post - just know I’m not making any money on this.
I’m shocked that a niche magazine in 2023 isn’t making you rich.
Ha! For real though, it costs several thousand dollars to produce and print these magazines and I’ll need to sell through the lot to break even. I’m doing this at cost. Which is probably really dumb, but I wanted to provide these at a reasonable price-point.
Wait, you’re based in Australia?
Indeed, indeed. Melbourne to be exact. It’s a nice city. But it’s also on the other side of the world, which means the postage for these is expensive and you’ll have to wait a few weeks for your copy to arrive.
So why are you doing a print publication rather than sticking with a website and Twitter and online and yada, yada?
Honestly, it’s because I’ve always loved magazines, and you can do things with a print publication you can’t do online. For example, I’ve hidden a couple of little extras in each magazine - just printed outtakes and fun extras to make it feel a bit special.
What’s the long term plan here?
That really depends on how this magazine goes. If it sells I’d like to do a three-part series and then use that as the basis for a coffee table book. I’ve also got several little zines in the works. They’re video game-adjacent; a similar aesthetic but from a different perspective. So, ah, please buy a copy of this magazine so I can do the above.
Anything else you’d like to add?
This is a one-man gig at the moment. Which means I gotta find time for all this between a full-time job, a wife, an old poodle, and functioning in society. So I’m definitely on the lookout for like minded people to collaborate with. Please drop me a line if you like to talk shop via mikolai.napieralski@gmail.com
