''InQuest Gamer'' was a monthly magazine for game reviews and news that was published from 1995 to 2007. Originally, the magazine was named ''InQuest'' and focused solely on
collectible card game
A collectible card game (CCG), also called a trading card game (TCG) among other names, is a type of card game that mixes strategy game, strategic deck building elements with features of trading cards, introduced with ''Magic: The Gathering'' in ...
s (CCGs); ''InQuest'', along with its competitor ''
Scrye
''SCRYE'' (''Scrye Collectible Card Game Checklist and Price Guide'') was a gaming magazine published from 1994 to April 2009 by Scrye, Inc. It was the longest-running periodical to have reported on the collectible card game hobby. It was also t ...
'', were the two major CCG magazines. Later, the magazine changed its focus to cover a wider range of games, including
role-playing game
A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...
s,
computer
A computer is a machine that can be programmed to Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as C ...
and
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s,
collectible miniature game
Collectible miniatures games (CMGs) are a form of miniatures game that is also similar to collectible card games (CCGs) — the primary difference being that while CCGs are card-based games, CMGs feature miniature figures.
A popular theme for CM ...
s,
board game
Board games are tabletop games that typically use . These pieces are moved or placed on a pre-marked board (playing surface) and often include elements of table, card, role-playing, and miniatures games as well.
Many board games feature a comp ...
s, and others. The magazine was published by
Wizard Entertainment
Wizard Entertainment Inc., formerly known as GoEnergy and Wizard World, is a producer of multi-genre fan conventions across North America. The company started as the holding company for Strato Malmas' interests in the energy business.
Gareb Shamu ...
(not to be confused with
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast LLC (often referred to as WotC or simply Wizards) is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and List of science fiction themes, science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for ga ...
, which produced its own CCG magazine, ''
The Duelist'').
History and profile
''InQuest'' #0, the first issue, was published in April 1995. For issue #46 (February 1999), ''InQuest'' changed its name to ''InQuest Gamer'' (with ''
Gamer
A gamer is a proactive hobbyist who plays interactive games, especially video games, tabletop role-playing games, and skill-based card games, and who plays for usually long periods of time. Some gamers are competitive, meaning they routinely ...
'' in large text on the cover), clearly announcing that it was a magazine about games. Issue #53 made the ''InQuest'' title more prominent on the cover again and it had not been changed since then, though the cover's format was revamped with issue #122.
Typical content included news, strategy articles, a price guide for collectible card and miniature games, reference lists, and game-related entertainment and humor. Issues with special cards were mailed in plastic bags, issues without special cards were typically sold at retail stores and game shows without any special covering.
The magazine's editorial staff included Mike Searle, Tom Slizewski, Jeff Hannes, Brent Fishbaugh, Steve Frohnhoefer, Paul Sudlow, Jeremy Smith, Thorin McGee, Kyle Ackerman, Alex Shvartsman and
Rick Swan
Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR.
His work for TSR, mostly for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, appeared from 1989 to 1995.
Swan also wrote ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin's Pre ...
. Martin A. Stever was responsible for the magazine's sales and marketing.
Because it was first published about two years after the release of ''
Magic: The Gathering
''Magic: The Gathering'' (colloquially known as ''Magic'' or ''MTG'') is a Tabletop game, tabletop and Digital collectible card game, digital Collectible card game, collectable card game created by Richard Garfield. Released in 1993 by Wizards ...
'', the trading card game was one of ''InQuest's'' main topics. ''InQuest'' was frequently home to fictional cards, including "purple" cards featured in issue #22 (February 1997).
These hypothetical cards, which used a new "Portal" land to create purple mana, led some to think that the then-upcoming
Portal
Portal often refers to:
* Portal (architecture), an opening in a wall of a building, gate or fortification, or the extremities (ends) of a tunnel
Portal may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Gaming
* ''Portal'' (series), two video games ...
set would introduce a sixth color.
The magazine ceased publication in September 2007.
References
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Monthly magazines published in the United States
Card game magazines
Defunct magazines published in the United States
Game magazines
Magic: The Gathering publications
Magazines established in 1995
Magazines disestablished in 2007
Magazines published in New York (state)