- Gameroom magazine
Founded in 1988 by Dave C. and Donna Cooper of New Albany, Indiana, "GameRoom Magazine" was created to serve the growing market of coin-op memorabilia collectors, hobbyists, and restorers. The first issue focused heavily on jukeboxes, and was dated January 1989. However, the magazine also covered other coin-operated playthings, such as pinball machines, slot machines, and gumball machines, in addition to related "fun items" such as carousels, gas station memorabilia, and antique ice cream scoops.
In 1993, "GameRoom" absorbed a competing periodical, "The Pinball Trader". To serve this market, "GameRoom" increased its pinball machine coverage, a focus that still remains today.
Dave Cooper passed on in September 1996, and "GameRoom" was sold to Tim and Jacqueline Ferrante. After relocating the magazine's homebase to Keyport, New Jersey, the magazine grew to feature regular columnists, more pages, a website online, and a merchandise department.
In January 1997, coverage of arcade video games was increased, and in 2001, "GameRoom" published "The Arcade Video Game Price Guide", the world's first comprehensive pricing guide for arcade video games.
In late 2005, after nine years, the Ferrantes decided to retire from "GameRoom" and explore other opportunities.
The January 2006 issue marked the transition to new publisher Kevin Steele, best known as the creator of
RetroBlast! , a web site focusing on the home arcade industry.Under Steele's ownership, "GameRoom" features increased content, usually around 64 pages an issue, and full color pages throughout the entirety of the magazine.
Coverage of pinball games, jukeboxes, arcade video games, and arcade emulation cabinets are frequent topics, as are tips on repairing and restoring these machines. Interviews with game creators and programmers, spotlights on individual collector's home game room layouts, reviews of topical books and DVDs, and news items of interest to those with game rooms are also featured monthly.
"GameRoom" is also the home of the official Twin Galaxies video game scoreboard, and the World Pinball Player Rankings.
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