''Aktueller Software Markt'' (literally ''Current Software Market''), commonly known by its acronym, ''ASM'', was a German multi-platform

video game magazine Video game journalism (also called games journalism or video game criticism) is a specialized branch of journalism that covers various aspects of video games, including game reviews, industry news, and player culture, typically following a core ...

that was published by Tronic-Verlag from 1986 until 1995. It was one of the first magazines published in Germany focused on

video game A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...

s, though the first issues of ''ASM'' covered the

software Software consists of computer programs that instruct the Execution (computing), execution of a computer. Software also includes design documents and specifications. The history of software is closely tied to the development of digital comput ...

market in general for almost all platforms at this time, hence the magazine's full name.Editorial
''ASM'' (Tronic Verlag), March 1986: " ..Wir haben unser Magazin mit einer Flut an Information über Action-Games, Adventures, Anwenderprogramme, Sound-Software, Lernprogramme oder Denk- und Strategiespiele „vollgepfropft“. .., roughly "We have filled our magazine with a lot of information on action games, adventures, application software, sound software, educational software or puzzle and strategy games." According to the magazine itself, it was the first computer software journal in Germany.Cover
''ASM'' (Tronic Verlag), March 1986: The line under the logo reads "Erste Computer-Software-Fachzeitschrift", meaning "First computer software journal". However, it soon evolved into a video game magazine. The first issue was published in March 1986, issue 2/1995 was the last issue. From the first issue until ''ASM'' 9/1991, Manfred Kleimann was the magazine's

chief editor An editor-in-chief (EIC), also known as lead editor or chief editor, is a publication's Editing, editorial leader who has final responsibility for its operations and policies. The editor-in-chief heads all departments of the organization and is hel ...

, then he was replaced by Matthias Siegk. With issue 5/1993, Peter Schmitz took the place of the chief editor until the last ''ASM''.ASM cover compendium
at Kultboy.com, also includes information on the issues' respective editors During the last years of the ''ASMs history, the name was changed two times. With issue 12/1993, the magazine was renamed ''ASM – Das Spaß-Magazin'', meaning "ASM – The Fun Magazine". Another name change occurred with issue 11/1994, now the magazine's full name was ''ASM – Das Computer-Spaß-Magazin'', literally "ASM – The Computer Fun Magazine", which was used until the last issue.

References

External links

Covers and scans at Kultboy.com

Covers and scans at Kultpower.de

Interview with Manfred Kleimann from March 2005

Archived Aktueller Software Markt Magazines
on the

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American 501(c)(3) organization, non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle that runs a digital library website, archive.org. It provides free access to collections of digitized media including web ...

1986 establishments in West Germany 1995 disestablishments in Germany Defunct video game magazines Defunct magazines published in Germany Computer magazines published in Germany German-language magazines Video game magazines published in Germany Magazines established in 1986 Magazines disestablished in 1995 Mass media in Kassel {{Europe-compu-mag-stub