''PC Accelerator'' (''PCXL'') was an American

personal computer game A personal computer game, also known as a PC game or computer game, is a type of video game played on a personal computer (PC) rather than a video game console or arcade machine. Its defining characteristics include: more diverse and user-dete ...

magazine A magazine is a periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, purchase price, prepaid subscriptions, or by a combinatio ...

that was published by

Imagine Media Future US, Inc. (formerly known as Imagine Media and The Future Network USA) is an American media corporation specializing in targeted magazines and websites in the video games, music, and technology markets. Headquartered in New York City, ...

(currently a

subsidiary A subsidiary, subsidiary company or daughter company is a company owned or controlled by another company, which is called the parent company or holding company. Two or more subsidiaries that either belong to the same parent company or having a s ...

Future plc Future plc is an international multimedia company established in the United Kingdom in 1985. The company has over 220 brands that span magazines, newsletters, websites, and events in fields such as video games, technology, films, music, photogr ...

). It was known for its ''

Maxim Maxim or Maksim may refer to: Entertainment * ''Maxim'' (magazine), an international men's magazine ** ''Maxim'' (Australia), the Australian edition ** ''Maxim'' (India), the Indian edition *Maxim Radio, ''Maxim'' magazine's radio channel on Sir ...

''-like humor and photography.

History and profile

''PC Accelerator'' was started by Imagine Media in 1998. The first issue was published in September 1998. The magazine was published on a monthly basis. Its last issue was dated June 2000. After the split up of the magazine,

editor-in-chief An editor-in-chief (EIC), also known as lead editor or chief editor, is a publication's editorial leader who has final responsibility for its operations and policies. The highest-ranking editor of a publication may also be titled editor, managing ...

Mike Salmon went on to start the ''

Official Xbox Magazine ''Official Xbox Magazine'' (or OXM for short) was a British monthly video game magazine which started in November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released at E3 2001, with another preview issue in November 2001. Th ...

''. While some of the staff was sent to ''

PC Gamer ''PC Gamer'' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games ma ...

'', others went on to work for

Daily Radar ''Daily Radar'' was a news aggregator and portal site for Future US's male-oriented content, including sports, film and television, and video games. Daily Radar started as a gaming website like IGN, GameSpy and GameSpot, and was later renamed and ...

. In September 2007, a special Fall issue of ''PCXL'' was released to newsstands only. This issue was primarily written by the current staff of ''PC Gamer'' with contributions by former ''PCXL'' staff including Rob Smith and Dan Egger.

Format

Games were reviewed on a scale of 0-10. ''Half-Life'' was the only game to receive an 11 (in the February 1999 issue).

Staff

*Mike Salmon: Editor in Chief and writer. *Rob Smith: Executive Editor who went on to helm ''

''. *Ed Lee: Writer who eventually left to enter law school. *Chuck Osborn: A native of

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...

. Chuck went on to work for ''PC Gamer''. *Matt Holmes: associate editor. *Eric Smith: Asst. Art Director, then Art Director after Kyle departed. *Dan Egger: A junior editor for the magazine. *Carrie Shepherd: The managing editor for the publication. *Quinton Doroquez aka "Q": Original Art Director who designed the layout for the magazine. *Kyle LeBoeuf: Asst. Art Director, then Art Director after Quinton departed. *Erik Piller: Marketing Manager / Webmaster. *Caroline Simpson-Bint: Publisher. *Caitlyn Meeks: CD-ROM designer, also worked for ''PC Gamer''. There were more editors and artists that followed.

Characters

*"Hector the Scarecrow" - Crafted from a coatrack and gas mask. Hector was dangled from the sprinkler system to appear more lifelike and eventually made a fire inspector very angry. Hector appeared in six issues. *"Gia DeCarlo" - An intern who worked at the magazine. *"Limey the Lima Bean" - Says "Screw you" to everyone. *"Quake Guy" - Frequent hero of Ed Lee Comic Strips. *"Laura" *"Future Guy" - Future Guy lived one year in the future and knew a year in advance that ''PCXL'' was going to get canned.

Easter Eggs

There was a game reviewed in the magazine that never existed... and was completely fabricated including screenshots, developer interviews, company website and a developer company front.

''PC Gamer'' Versus ''PCXL'' matches

Every night, the staffs of ''PC Gamer'' and ''PCXL'' would challenge each other to massive team on team ''

Rainbow Six Rainbow Six may refer to: * ''Rainbow Six'' (novel), a 1998 novel by Tom Clancy *''Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six'', a video game franchise published by Ubisoft ** ''Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six'' (video game), a tactical shooter video game *"Rainbow Six", a ...

'' battles.

References

External links

PCXL.com (ARCHIVED)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pc Accelerator Monthly magazines published in the United States Video game magazines published in the United States Defunct computer magazines published in the United States Magazines established in 1998 Magazines disestablished in 2000 Home computer magazines