InQuest Gamer
Encyclopedia
InQuest Gamer is a discontinued 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
s (CCGs); InQuest, along with its competitor Scrye
, were the two major CCG magazines. Later, the magazine changed its focus to cover a wider range of games, including role-playing game
s, computer and video games, collectible miniature games, board game
s, and others. The magazine was published by Wizard Entertainment
(not to be confused with Wizards of the Coast
, which produced its own CCG magazine, The Duelist
).
InQuest #0, the first issue, was published in April 1995. For issue #46 (February 1999), InQuest changed its name to InQuest Gamer (with Gamer
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 games, and reference lists.
The magazine's 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.
Because it was first published about two years after the release of Magic: The Gathering
, 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
set would introduce a sixth color.
The magazine ceased publication in September 2007.
Collectible card game
thumb|Players and their decksA collectible card game , also called a trading card game or customizable card game, is a game played using specially designed sets of playing cards...
s (CCGs); InQuest, along with its competitor Scrye
Scrye
SCRYE is a discontinued gaming magazine that was published from 1994 to 2009. It was the longest-running periodical to have ever reported on the collectible card game hobby. It was also the leading print resource for secondary-market prices on Magic: The Gathering...
, were the two major CCG magazines. Later, the magazine changed its focus to cover a wider range of games, including role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s, computer and video games, collectible miniature games, board game
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
s, and others. The magazine was published by Wizard Entertainment
Wizard Entertainment
Wizard Entertainment, formerly known as Wizard Press, was a New York-based publisher of Wizard and ToyFare magazines, along with various special issues for each magazine and the annual Toy Wishes holiday guide....
(not to be confused with Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, which produced its own CCG magazine, The Duelist
The Duelist
The Duelist was created in late 1994 as a quarterly magazine produced by Wizards of the Coast to accompany the increasingly popular Magic: The Gathering trading card game...
).
InQuest #0, the first issue, was published in April 1995. For issue #46 (February 1999), InQuest changed its name to InQuest Gamer (with Gamer
Gamer
Historically, the term "gamer" usually referred to someone who played role-playing games and wargames. Since they became very popular, the term has included players of video games...
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 games, and reference lists.
The magazine's 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.
Because it was first published about two years after the release of Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...
, 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 (Magic: The Gathering)
Portal is the eighteenth Magic: The Gathering set and first starter level set, released on May 1, 1997. Depending on the language, the set contains between 221 and 228 cards.-Set history:...
set would introduce a sixth color.
The magazine ceased publication in September 2007.