Amiga Power

Overview

Amiga Power was different. While other magazines averaged scores around 70%, AP’s typical game scored 50%. The staff refused advertiser pressure, celebrated obscure gems, and dismissed hyped releases. Readers loved the honesty; publishers did not. It was gaming journalism as it should be.

Fast facts

Publisher: Future Publishing.
Run: 1991–1996.
Editor: Matt Bielby, then Stuart Campbell.
Approach: Brutally honest reviews.

Review philosophy

Principle	Practice
50% is average	Not 70%
Honesty over access	No publisher favours
Gameplay over graphics	Substance matters
Reader trust	Say what you mean

The scoring controversy

Other magazines:

Average scores: 70-80%
Rare low scores
Publisher-friendly

Amiga Power:

True bell curve
Many 30-50% scores
Publishers complained

Writing style

Element	Quality
Wit	Sharp, clever
Honesty	Uncomfortable truths
Enthusiasm	Genuine when earned
Irreverence	Nothing sacred

Stuart Campbell

Controversial editor/writer:

Refused to compromise
Antagonised industry
Reader champion
Polarising figure

Favourite games

AP championed underdogs:

Sensible Soccer
Speedball 2
Obscure gems ignored elsewhere

Cover tapes

Quality selections:

Full games
Curated demos
Reader trust maintained

Reader relationship

Aspect	Approach
Letters	Genuine dialogue
Trust	Earned through honesty
Community	Dedicated readership

Industry friction

Publishers responded to criticism:

Advertising withdrawal
Review copy denial
Pressure campaigns

AP persisted regardless.

End of publication

Amiga market decline:

Platform fading
Readership shrinking
Folded 1996

Legacy

Amiga Power proved:

Honest criticism possible
Readers want truth
Independence has value
Gaming journalism standards

Uncompromising criticism