Video gamers are always interested in finding out what new games are coming out for their systems. It’s nice to get a sneak preview by seeing some screen shots and descriptions. It is a natural curiosity, because one might consider a particular game as a future purchase or maybe getting it as a gift on a special occasion. To find out if the game is worth springing for, you have to trust the game magazines, and even then you have to be skeptical that they aren’t just giving out good reviews so as not to offend the advertisers. The video game clubs were sometimes privy to exclusive information. To join some of these clubs all you had to do was send back the registration card that came with the system or game. This is always a good idea because sometimes you get free promo items. Here is a list of the early game clubs that I have had experience with.
Perhaps you may recall some of these:
ATARI GAME CLUB – This video game club was definitely worth belonging to. Atari Age was originally a newsletter (more like a newspaper) and later went on to become a magazine. There were articles on the latest games for the 2600 & 5200, including those that they were working on. Unfortunately, there weren’t any interviews with programmers since it was against company policy. There were puzzles and the obligatory catalog of game accessories for sale to members. By far the best items they had for sale were the Club exclusives. Games like Crazy Climber, Quadrun, and Rubik’s Cube were only available from the club. Other games like Waterworld and Atari Video Cube were first available here before being released to the stores. Swordquest contestants had an advantage because they could buy their games early and have more time to work on the solution. – Read the rest of the article here from Classic Gamer Magazine (courtesy of Old School Gamer)!
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