Editing Computer and Video Games

{{short description|UK magazine and website}}
{{for|similarly named periodicals|Computer Games (disambiguation)#Publications}}
{{redirect|Computer and video games|the general concept|video game}}
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox magazine
|image_file    = Poison-4.png
|image_caption = March 1991 cover
|frequency     = Monthly
|category      = [[Computer magazine]]
|firstdate     = November 1981
|finaldate     = October 2004
|country       = United Kingdom
|based         = London
|website       = {{URL|computerandvideogames.com}} (defunct)
|issn          = 0261-3697
}}

'''''Computer and Video Games''''' (also known as '''''CVG''''', '''''Computer & Video Games''''', '''''C&VG''''', '''''Computer + Video Games''''', or '''''C+VG''''') is a [[United Kingdom|British]]-based [[video game]] [[magazine]], published in its original form between 1981 and 2004.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tuukka Taarluoto |title=Writing Games. A Study of Finnish Video Game Journalism |url=http://www15.uta.fi/FAST/FIN/GEN/tt-games.html |work=University of Tampere |access-date=2 June 2016 |date=Fall 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611185430/http://www15.uta.fi/FAST/FIN/GEN/tt-games.html |archive-date=11 June 2016 }}</ref> Its offshoot website was launched in 1999<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27486867 |title=Computer and Video Games online magazine facing closure |last=Lee |first=Dave |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=27 Sep 2016 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002065827/http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27486867 |archive-date=2 October 2016 }}</ref> and closed in February 2015.<ref name="mcvuk.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/official-future-closes-cvg-website-bundles-content-into-gamesradar-plus/0143240 |title=Official: Future will close CVG website, news and reviews now coming to GamesRadar+ &#124; Games industry news &#124; MCV |access-date=2015-12-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121063832/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/official-future-closes-cvg-website-bundles-content-into-gamesradar-plus/0143240 |archive-date=21 January 2016 }}</ref> ''CVG'' was the longest-running [[Video game journalism|video game media]] brand in the world.<ref name=MCVclose2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/future-will-close-cvg/0142090 |title=Future will close CVG |work=MCV |date=1 December 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201052049/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/future-will-close-cvg/0142090 |archive-date=1 December 2014 }}</ref> Several ''CVG'' writers led the creation of ''[[Video Games Chronicle]]'' in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/cvg-team-reunite-for-new-games-media-website |title=''CVG'' team reunite for new games media website |last=Dring |first=Christopher |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=4 April 2019 |accessdate=12 December 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129184953/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/cvg-team-reunite-for-new-games-media-website |archivedate=29 November 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
''Computer and Video Games'' was established in 1981, being the first British video games magazine.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Di Hand |author2=Steve Middleditch |title=Design for Media: A Handbook for Students and Professionals in Journalism, PR, and Advertising |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UrAABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 |access-date=2 August 2015 |date=10 July 2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-86402-8 |page=8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603162715/https://books.google.com/books?id=UrAABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 |archive-date=3 June 2016 }}</ref> Initially published monthly between November 1981<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 1981|title= Computer & Video Games|url= https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-001/CVG001_Nov_1981#mode/1up|magazine= Computer & Video Games|access-date=25 October 2019 }}</ref> and October 2004 and solely web-based from 2004 onwards,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.netmag.co.uk/zine/how-we-built/the-new-cvg-site|title=The new CVG site - .net magazine|date=9 January 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206000201/http://www.netmag.co.uk/zine/how-we-built/the-new-cvg-site|archive-date=6 December 2010 | access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.futureplc.com/2008/04/07/computer-video-games-returns-to-the-newsstand/ |title=Computer & Video Games returns to the newsstand « Future PLC |work=Futureplc |access-date=21 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103125340/http://www.futureplc.com/2008/04/07/computer-video-games-returns-to-the-newsstand/ |archive-date=3 November 2013 }}</ref> the magazine was one of the first publications to capitalise on the growing [[Home computer|home computing]] market, although it also covered [[arcade game]]s.  At the time of launch it was the world's first dedicated [[Video game journalism|video games magazine]].<ref>Plunkett, Luke. "[http://kotaku.com/the-worlds-oldest-video-game-publication-is-closing-1583538341 The World's Oldest Video Game Publication Is Closing [UPDATE: Maybe Not?<nowiki>]</nowiki>] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223172140/http://kotaku.com/the-worlds-oldest-video-game-publication-is-closing-1583538341 |date=23 December 2014 }}" ''[[Kotaku]]''. 29 May 2014.</ref> The first issue featured articles on ''[[Space Invaders]]'', Chess, Othello and advice on how to learn programming.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brook |first=Stephen |title=World's first gaming mag revived |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/apr/04/pressandpublishing.digitalmedia |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 April 2008 |access-date=21 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104194520/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/apr/04/pressandpublishing.digitalmedia |archive-date=4 November 2013}}</ref>

Reviews featured a numerical score, with the highest rated games receiving the "C+VG Hit" award. This logo came to be seen as a selling point for games, big and small.<ref>https://worldofspectrum.org//pub/sinclair/games-adverts/b/Batman-TheMovie.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=August 2024}}</ref>{{bcn|date=April 2024}}

The magazine had a [[Audit Bureau of Circulations (UK)|ABC]] of 106,000 for the second half of 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=C+VG/Issue067/Pages/CVG06700005.jpg |title=Archive - Magazine viewer|work=World of Spectrum|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

===Website===
In early 2014, CVG, amongst other Future-operated websites, was earmarked for closure by management,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/all-future-uk-staff-at-risk-of-redundancy/0132488 |title=Games website CVG faces closure as part of drastic Future cuts |publisher=MCV |access-date=8 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710175134/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/all-future-uk-staff-at-risk-of-redundancy/0132488 |archive-date=10 July 2014 }}</ref> but instead received staff cuts in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/cvg-saved-but-at-a-cost/0134363 |title=CVG saved but at a cost |website=MCV |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=8 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714190926/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/cvg-saved-but-at-a-cost/0134363 |archive-date=14 July 2014 }}</ref>
Future announced the closure of the website in December 2014.<ref name="mcvuk.com"/> The website closed on 26 February 2015, with all pages redirecting to Gamesradar+, another Future publication.<ref>{{Cite web|last=May 2013|first=GamesRadar Staff 16|title=New look, quicker CVG is now live|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/new-look-quicker-cvg-now-live/|access-date=2020-09-26|website=gamesradar|date=16 May 2013|language=en}}</ref>

===YouTube channel===
Until the closure of CVG, their official YouTube channel provided a variety of video game related content, providing everything from walkthroughs of games to news regarding video game consoles<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL7-7TcGDvLjSnEJjbIJ7TGk8uS5soItv |title=PlayStation 4: News and gameplay - YouTube |website=YouTube |language=en |access-date=2017-02-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213123407/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL7-7TcGDvLjSnEJjbIJ7TGk8uS5soItv |archive-date=13 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL7-7TcGDvLgt3xMbPLoSq_U_lugXw7jL |title=Xbox One: News and gameplay - YouTube |website=YouTube |language=en |access-date=2017-02-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213122628/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL7-7TcGDvLgt3xMbPLoSq_U_lugXw7jL |archive-date=13 February 2017 }}</ref> and regarding gaming events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL7-7TcGDvLiIDR_cMAAaqHrmxZY4c8HE |title=E3 2013 - YouTube |website=YouTube |language=en |access-date=2017-02-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213132019/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL7-7TcGDvLiIDR_cMAAaqHrmxZY4c8HE |archive-date=13 February 2017 }}</ref> Their second longest running series, ''GTA V O'clock''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL7-7TcGDvLhxWTkGT0gdXbDBwpaCjQ_c |title=Wednesdays: GTA 5 o' Clock - YouTube |website=YouTube |language=en |access-date=2017-02-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213121011/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL7-7TcGDvLhxWTkGT0gdXbDBwpaCjQ_c |archive-date=13 February 2017 }}</ref> covered news and [[conspiracy theories]] regarding [[Rockstar Games]]' ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto Online]]''. It was one of the few publications invited to see and play ''Grand Theft Auto V''<ref>{{Citation|last=CVG|title=GTA V - GTA 5 o'clock: GTA V - We've seen it! Exclusive Preview|date=2 May 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlapkZiKGUY|access-date=7 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213130107/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlapkZiKGUY|archive-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> before its release to the public on 17 September 2013 and re-release for PC<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/hands-gta-5-pc-preview/|title=GTA V O'clock goes hands on with GTA 5 on PC - 'It's the definitive edition'|newspaper=gamesradar|access-date=2 February 2017|language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106104101/http://www.gamesradar.com/hands-gta-5-pc-preview/ |archive-date=6 November 2016 }}</ref> on 14 April 2015.

===''CVG Presents''===
{{Infobox magazine
|title          = CVG Presents
|image_file     = CVG 01 cover.jpg
|image_caption  = Cover of issue 1 of ''CVG Presents''
|frequency      = Bi-monthly
|category       = [[Computer magazine]]
|firstdate      = April 2008
|country        = United Kingdom
|website        = [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ ComputerAndVideoGames.com] (defunct)
}}

When the magazine did reappear it was in a new form, titled ''CVG Presents'', on 16 April 2008 with a bi-monthly release schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=185811 |title=News: CVG Magazine returns! |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date=3 April 2008 |access-date=21 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524004651/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=185811 |archive-date=24 May 2010}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2025}}</ref>

==Golden Joystick Awards==
CVG hosted the annual [[Golden Joystick Award]]s, the longest running gaming ceremony in the world and widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious, as they're voted for solely by the general gaming public. Originally created in 1982 as the CVG magazine's annual awards ceremony, the awards moved onto the web with CVG.com in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CVG Magazine Archives : Free Texts : Free Download, Borrow and Streaming : Internet Archive|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine?&sort=-downloads&page=2|access-date=2020-09-26|website=archive.org|language=en}}</ref>

In April 1983, the magazine published the results of its first Golden Joystick Awards, along with pictures from the ceremony in [[Berkeley Square]]. DJ [[Dave Lee Travis]] presented the award for best game of the year to [[Jetpac]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=C+VG/Issue030/Pages/CVG03000081.jpg |title=Archive - Magazine viewer |publisher=World of Spectrum |access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://computerandvideogames.com/|computerandvideogames.com}} at the [[Internet Archive]]

{{Future plc}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Computer And Video Games}}

[[Category:1981 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2004 disestablishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:defunct video game magazines published in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Future plc]]
[[Category:home computer magazines]]
[[Category:magazines disestablished in 2004]]
[[Category:magazines disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:magazines established in 1981]]
[[Category:magazines established in 2008]]
[[Category:magazines published in London]]
[[Category:monthly magazines published in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:video game magazines published in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:video game websites]]