A Blast from the Past: When Texting PC Gamer Was a Thing!
Ever thought about paying a quarter just to drop a comment on a gaming website? Before you roll your eyes at the idea—after all, we’ve got the luxury of free comments today—let’s take a trip down memory lane to when PC Gamer magazine was at the forefront of gaming culture.
Back in 2010, the readers of PC Gamer were truly unique. They were so passionate about sharing their thoughts that they were willing to fork out 30-50 pence for a second-class stamp to send in their letters. Alternatively, they could shoot off a text message for just 25 pence, plus whatever their network charged for sending a 160-character SMS. Imagine that—a time when brevity was the name of the game!
Fast forward 15 years, and the idea of shelling out cash for a text message seems almost laughable, much like explaining floppy disks to today’s gamers. But here’s the twist: PC Gamer had a dedicated section in their magazine where they showcased these reader text messages and even tiny game reviews. Let’s look back at some of the most memorable ones!
One reader, Eoghan O’Connell, expressed his longing for Blizzard games like World of Warcraft and Diablo 2 to hit Steam, to which the PC Gamer team quipped that Blizzard wasn’t likely to budge from their own platform, even if it wasn’t the best.
Then there’s Mrs. Saffira Musantu, who used to send in lottery results that left the PCG team humorously confused about winning money they never received. Talk about a strange mix of gaming and luck!
Another reader, Aaron Whitehead, boldly remarked that PC gaming was dying, only to receive a playful response that left everyone scratching their heads. “They’re not sure?” said PC Gamer, adding a layer of humor to a serious topic.
And how about some bizarre requests? One player, Martster123, humorously sought 30 bottles of Nuka-Cola Quantum, capturing the quirky essence of gaming fandom. Meanwhile, Thomas Mayo lamented the blandness of game writing, wishing for a little more creativity in characters.
From playful banter about gaming mechanics to witty complaints about industry trends, these messages showcased the vibrant personalities of gamers back in the day. Each message was met with clever and amusing responses, proving that gaming culture has always thrived on humor and camaraderie.
So, while texting PC Gamer may feel like a relic of the past, it’s a cherished reminder of the fun and quirky side of gaming history. Here’s to the good old days of sharing our thoughts in 160 characters or less!