I worked at Software Etc around the time Barnes & Noble bought the parent company Babbages. There were 3 stores under the brand. Software Etc, Babbages, & GameStop. It was rare to see a GameStop at that time. Then they bought Funcoland later that year.
I didn’t know Funcoland was mainly Midwest. I grew up in NYC & used to see them in Westchester County, NY, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, & Maryland. The only 2 that I know of that were in NYC was one in East Harlem & one in Flushing, Queens. The one in East Harlem was small, but the one in Flushing was big like the size of a CVS or Walgreens.
I remember I got to be a finalist to be featured in article but sadly I could go through with it anymore because I could not take time off from work that was heartbreaking for me
Snoop Doggs Fear & Respect was supposed to be like a GTA game. Only the consequences are that you can get npc to fear or respect you thru certain interactions. It was being made for a movie that was also going by the same name. But around that time, midway (which the game was being developed under) had gone under. Not to mention, the market was flooded with GTA, Saints Row, Mafia, True Crimes, etc.
Aye thats me at 13:25 😭😭 ik yall fw the gameinformer money spread/collage💯🤞🏽 nah but fr rip gameinformer. Came in so clutch back in the days before i had real internet access when picking out games to ask for on my birthdays and christmas. Banger articles and cold ass covers, youll forever be missed🙏🏽
Shortly before the news dropped, I found 3 old copies of GI from my childhood in an old box my dad gave me. Bioshock 2, Gears 3, and Halo Reach covers. Reading through those magazines was very nostalgic. I just wish my dumbass kept them in good condition cause they were kinda scuffed.
Man, do I have memories from this era. I always wanted to go to a Midnight Release of Call Of Duty and even Halo (I never even had an Xbox, I just wanted to go for the experience), but my mom would never allow me to. She was like, “You have school tomorrow and I have to work.” I remember lying in bed thinking, “Man. All them people standing at the GameStop down the street, and I’m here in bed. I know some of my friends are going to miss school just to play COD all day tomorrow.” I even remember when Comcast OnDemand had some gameplays of MW2 back then. I watched that shit on repeat! I even had a few copies of GameInformer. I forgot the company existed, let alone lasted as long as they did.
The Fear & Respect issue had me hyped for a game that never saw the light of day. A great concept that probably would have been legendary. My favorite issue hands down.
Man, I remember a time when I would check my mailbox every day on the first week of the month whenever my new copy of Game Informer was due to arrive. I would cop that, GamePro and Electronic Gaming Monthly. I even used to steal demo discs out of the plastic seals that had the Xbox and PlayStation magazines in them LOL. Then, it got to a point where having the subscription felt like a nuisance. I tried reading a digital copy recently on my iPad but it definitely wasn't the same.
I think my favorite game informer issue was the infamous one if I'm remembering correctly they also were talking about Prince of Persia in that magazine too
I remember my monthly game informer being mailed to me from like 2009 till 2012 and it was very epic and I would look forward to reading the developer interviews freaking epic
I still have some game informers stashed in my closet somewhere. I remember begging one of my parents to get me a subscription, I used to love looking at different games and their ratings, the artwork…
I liked GI. I had a subscription for a few years, but my core memories of gaming magazines primarily involve Nintendo Power, EGM, and GamePro magazines, as I had subscriptions for all three in the 80’s and all through the 90’s
I remember my grandma getting game informer (she put me onto video games) and every copy I would revel in all the cover art and new games I remember one time for the old ps2 she got a free game of prince of Persia demo before release and she played that game out until she got the actual game and the onimusha game informer is still in her house somewhere I would have to find it
Bruh the advanced warfare cover was so hard as a 12 year old I remember I had the book up on a pin board with a count down. Thank You GameInformer without you my love for games wouldn’t be where it is now 🙏🏽❤️
I got a box full of Gameinformers. My thing as a kid and teen was Gameinformers and Shonen Jumps. Had subs to both. Also has a Sports Illustrated sub so I was doing a lot of reading...the latter had a once a year awkward moment when I'd come in the house with the mail and my mom or grandma would see the swimsuit edition.
Hey that's me at 14:02 thank you for the love TBH😂😂 It really is sad to see Game informer go but I will always treasure those times where my mom would come home from work check the mailbox and just put the gameinformer magazine on my bed those are memories I'll never forget So thank you Game informer for everything ❤
Incredible ! i loved game informer and xplay i miss xplay man. but damn the internet is a gift and curse. and yeah i dont know how gamestops havent closed down completely. If its not best buy or amazon im not shopping or steam. but yooo these edits were hilarious and the commentary in general LMAO how long did this video take to produce man? keep them coming please. Id like to hear your take on true crimes streets of LA, Jak and daxter, max payne, jet set radio, dreamcast, nba ballers, some hidden gem games that might be cult classics like conker live & reloaded not sure if you played that. but yeah sheesh keep these coming please.
Bruh, tell me how I had no idea this whole time GI was based in my state? And on top of that it’s my same age. RIP to a great publication! I remember just so many hours of going through the reviews and getting hype on new games. Tbh that Snoop cover unlocked a memory and I totally forgot he was supposed to have a game! It was GI and XXL that were my go to magazines for sure. Thanks for doing this retrospective 🙌🏾
Follow up comment 1) so Funcoland was also founded in Minneapolis (though GameStop was in Texas) 2) that 2003 year in review issue just unlocked a core memory. 😊 I agree on that being an all time favorite issue.
That MGS4 Cover and Can't remember if it was the same issue, but I remember they were talking about KANE & LYNCH It went - "Question: If you shoot someone in the head, shouldn't they die?" Always Makes Me Laugh when I think about it 😂😊
Man this was dope content. I used to get Gamepro, Electronic Gaming, Nintendo Power and Game Informer religiously…. I got a PlayStation mag ever now and then and Xbox mag also. But Game Informer was God Tier Magazine at its best. Mailed to you monthly mags was dope.
I remember when Game Informer used to have the fan art ppl sent in. I was like 10 and I sent in a Megaman X drawing, it didn't make the issue because it was trash but I'm just saying, Long Live Game Informer
I knew eb games turned into GameStops but I didn’t know funcoland was part of the mix! Definitely didn’t know GI was a funcoland OG. When I used to spend the summers at my grandparents’, my aunts used to take us! Edit: I read NP as a kid tho lol
Even though they have cool cover on the magazine I wasn’t a fan of them because often times the cover will lose color and if you hold them long enough the coloring will stick to your fingers
You know what. This was something personal. I don't know for i just got let go from my job in a very similar way on some personal spite stuff. There is absolutely no reason to let people go without even notifying them and then trying to erase them from existence
*Rockstar Games should buy the rights to GI and use it as their own personal outlet to talk about how they're shitting on the entire industry and why everyone else is failing* 👌
Enjoying my longform content? Want more? Check out some of previous videos 👉 bit.ly/4f2tg3f
WTF… I did not know that Barnes & Nobles are the reason that GameStop is even a thing🤯
They eventually sold off their shares, so Gamestop became its own thing. But yes, originally it was B&N.
@@theblackhokage Yeah I was born in ‘97 so I might’ve been too young for that part in history😂
You mean "Barnay and Nob-less"
I worked at Software Etc around the time Barnes & Noble bought the parent company Babbages. There were 3 stores under the brand. Software Etc, Babbages, & GameStop. It was rare to see a GameStop at that time. Then they bought Funcoland later that year.
😂@@95V4L
Gonna miss GameInformer. Still have my copy from when they were covering Bioshock Infinite.
Ah I’m not the only old one here😂
Still have cover of arkham city and MW2
Yup brilliant cover
Seeing all these GI covers reminded me of how I use to cut out specific pictures from inside the magazine to put up in my room. RIP to a legend
Thumbnail is crazy 😂 I was like "why is this on my feed?" Until I saw the channel 😂😂
I didn’t know Funcoland was mainly Midwest. I grew up in NYC & used to see them in Westchester County, NY, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, & Maryland. The only 2 that I know of that were in NYC was one in East Harlem & one in Flushing, Queens. The one in East Harlem was small, but the one in Flushing was big like the size of a CVS or Walgreens.
I had so many GameInformer mags. I used to bring them to schooI and share them with the homies during lunch. Wish i didnt donate them now.
The Barneess and Nobley clip hit me in the feels
I remember I got to be a finalist to be featured in article but sadly I could go through with it anymore because I could not take time off from work that was heartbreaking for me
Snoop Doggs Fear & Respect was supposed to be like a GTA game. Only the consequences are that you can get npc to fear or respect you thru certain interactions. It was being made for a movie that was also going by the same name. But around that time, midway (which the game was being developed under) had gone under.
Not to mention, the market was flooded with GTA, Saints Row, Mafia, True Crimes, etc.
Aye thats me at 13:25 😭😭 ik yall fw the gameinformer money spread/collage💯🤞🏽
nah but fr rip gameinformer. Came in so clutch back in the days before i had real internet access when picking out games to ask for on my birthdays and christmas. Banger articles and cold ass covers, youll forever be missed🙏🏽
That Bar Nez and Nobuhlay Easter egg proves you’re a man of culture 😂😂😂
TubeSteak
Shortly before the news dropped, I found 3 old copies of GI from my childhood in an old box my dad gave me. Bioshock 2, Gears 3, and Halo Reach covers. Reading through those magazines was very nostalgic. I just wish my dumbass kept them in good condition cause they were kinda scuffed.
I remember the subscription being like $9 for like 6months
watched this while you were on stream brodie had to come give it an actual view , love the longer videos man
You're a legend you been making the best gaming videos for yearsssssss 🐐🐐 Thank You 🙏🏾
*gracefully bows*
R.I.P Game Informer, i remember being hype to check out the fan art for my favorite games every month
Word. Community fan art was dope.
Used to enjoy laughing at the ugly ones
Keep grinding
Man, do I have memories from this era. I always wanted to go to a Midnight Release of Call Of Duty and even Halo (I never even had an Xbox, I just wanted to go for the experience), but my mom would never allow me to. She was like, “You have school tomorrow and I have to work.” I remember lying in bed thinking, “Man. All them people standing at the GameStop down the street, and I’m here in bed. I know some of my friends are going to miss school just to play COD all day tomorrow.” I even remember when Comcast OnDemand had some gameplays of MW2 back then. I watched that shit on repeat! I even had a few copies of GameInformer. I forgot the company existed, let alone lasted as long as they did.
We getting back to MWN vibes on this channel and I’m here for it
The Fear & Respect issue had me hyped for a game that never saw the light of day. A great concept that probably would have been legendary. My favorite issue hands down.
Man, I remember a time when I would check my mailbox every day on the first week of the month whenever my new copy of Game Informer was due to arrive. I would cop that, GamePro and Electronic Gaming Monthly. I even used to steal demo discs out of the plastic seals that had the Xbox and PlayStation magazines in them LOL. Then, it got to a point where having the subscription felt like a nuisance. I tried reading a digital copy recently on my iPad but it definitely wasn't the same.
I think my favorite game informer issue was the infamous one if I'm remembering correctly they also were talking about Prince of Persia in that magazine too
I remember my monthly game informer being mailed to me from like 2009 till 2012 and it was very epic and I would look forward to reading the developer interviews freaking epic
Ngl, I shed a few tears when on Aug 2. Rip the GOAT of gaming news media.
I read a few of these issues. Ah, those were the days. *cries in nostalgia*
I remember not having enough time to read it so I tried look at as many pages as possible before it was time to leave
FUNCOLAND bro you snapped!!! man this video was my childhood in 18 mins
Last one I bought was the Def Jam Icon cover spread.
Man what a disappointment.
Man I was waiting for this one!! Thank you TBH!!
Hope you enjoyed it!
@@theblackhokagedefinitely!! you always tell a good story but every time you talked about this on stream it always got me more hyped 👏🏿👏🏿
13:35 AYYYEEE DAS ME!!!
Great video bro! Bittersweet indeed.
Man, I remember having Game Informer with Bio Shock infinite on the cover and the issue that had DJ Hero on the cover.
Man i remember moving over to Game Informer after GamePro stopped producing. Good times for sure
I had so many GI magazines. Also the power up membership back in our days was $15
I still have some game informers stashed in my closet somewhere. I remember begging one of my parents to get me a subscription, I used to love looking at different games and their ratings, the artwork…
Saints Row the Third was my favorite cover too!! the day the game came out I rocked all purple and did show up to school the next day
Man imma miss game informer.
I liked GI. I had a subscription for a few years, but my core memories of gaming magazines primarily involve Nintendo Power, EGM, and GamePro magazines, as I had subscriptions for all three in the 80’s and all through the 90’s
We had a funcoland in Wayne north jersey 🤟🏼 best place ever when I was kid wish it was still around
Keep these up🔥
I still have a bunch of Gi magazines stored in my apartment. 😢
Nah man I have to go back and look at my magazines 😭😭😭
I remember my grandma getting game informer (she put me onto video games) and every copy I would revel in all the cover art and new games I remember one time for the old ps2 she got a free game of prince of Persia demo before release and she played that game out until she got the actual game and the onimusha game informer is still in her house somewhere I would have to find it
I had the GI with the Laura Croft headshot
Bruh the advanced warfare cover was so hard as a 12 year old I remember I had the book up on a pin board with a count down. Thank You GameInformer without you my love for games wouldn’t be where it is now 🙏🏽❤️
I got a box full of Gameinformers. My thing as a kid and teen was Gameinformers and Shonen Jumps. Had subs to both. Also has a Sports Illustrated sub so I was doing a lot of reading...the latter had a once a year awkward moment when I'd come in the house with the mail and my mom or grandma would see the swimsuit edition.
Hey that's me at 14:02 thank you for the love TBH😂😂
It really is sad to see Game informer go but I will always treasure those times where my mom would come home from work check the mailbox and just put the gameinformer magazine on my bed those are memories I'll never forget So thank you Game informer for everything ❤
Incredible ! i loved game informer and xplay i miss xplay man. but damn the internet is a gift and curse. and yeah i dont know how gamestops havent closed down completely. If its not best buy or amazon im not shopping or steam. but yooo these edits were hilarious and the commentary in general LMAO how long did this video take to produce man? keep them coming please. Id like to hear your take on true crimes streets of LA, Jak and daxter, max payne, jet set radio, dreamcast, nba ballers, some hidden gem games that might be cult classics like conker live & reloaded not sure if you played that. but yeah sheesh keep these coming please.
We love you Game Informer: a real nigga.
bro thank you for changing the thumbnail i scrolled past this video one too many times at work😅
Bruh, tell me how I had no idea this whole time GI was based in my state? And on top of that it’s my same age.
RIP to a great publication!
I remember just so many hours of going through the reviews and getting hype on new games. Tbh that Snoop cover unlocked a memory and I totally forgot he was supposed to have a game!
It was GI and XXL that were my go to magazines for sure.
Thanks for doing this retrospective 🙌🏾
Follow up comment 1) so Funcoland was also founded in Minneapolis (though GameStop was in Texas)
2) that 2003 year in review issue just unlocked a core memory. 😊 I agree on that being an all time favorite issue.
How nobody brought up the Game Informer Tomb Raider cover idk but that mf was legendary 😂
Nah I’m still not forgiving the “GI is shutting down” title lmao
I havent shopped there physically at Gamestop in years. I got my PS4 and 5 online
The first GI I read had bioshock 2 on idk what issue it was but that cover was fire asf
Assassin's creed and max payne 3 cover are the only 2 I can remember. But I had GI for like 10 years as a kid
Why does nobody talk about how AWESOME the Bioshock Infinite cover was?
Bro puts so much work into little pictures in the video just for us to listen to it while we game
Brought back too many memories with funcoland
That MGS4 Cover
and
Can't remember if it was the same issue, but I remember they were talking about KANE & LYNCH
It went -
"Question: If you shoot someone in the head, shouldn't they die?"
Always Makes Me Laugh when I think about it 😂😊
15:05 is that dude from the Unforgivable video doing a cameo? 🤣
I still own multiple copies. I even redrew some covers. I remember they came with cheat codes in the back.
Man this was dope content. I used to get Gamepro, Electronic Gaming, Nintendo Power and Game Informer religiously…. I got a PlayStation mag ever now and then and Xbox mag also. But Game Informer was God Tier Magazine at its best. Mailed to you monthly mags was dope.
This is just now poppin up on my feed🤦🏾♂️
*That GTA San Andreas GameInformer Cover!* 🔥😎
The algorithm needs to boost this video. Great content TBH
My boy if u don’t post on this channel who cares bout views we miss the editing
Great video / mini documentary TBH 👌
Learning that GameStop actually replaced Funcoland in 2024 is giving me heavy Weebay vibes 😮
Anyone else here regret getting rid of their Gi collection. I had about 24 issues that I kept till they were just taking up space. 😭
Mgs4 and bioshock cover were my goats also the GUN cover was amazing
YOOOO THAT FEAR AND RESPECT COVER!!!
Bro this is such a blast from the past. The only reason I still had my Gamestop membership because of Game Informer. Time to cancel that shit lol!
10/10 video sad to see it go honestly
I remember when Game Informer used to have the fan art ppl sent in. I was like 10 and I sent in a Megaman X drawing, it didn't make the issue because it was trash but I'm just saying, Long Live Game Informer
GI deserved better. Thanks for the memories!
Nooooo I had a locker full of game informers that I use to read in middle school when I had study hall or detention 🤣
I knew eb games turned into GameStops but I didn’t know funcoland was part of the mix! Definitely didn’t know GI was a funcoland OG.
When I used to spend the summers at my grandparents’, my aunts used to take us!
Edit: I read NP as a kid tho lol
Even though they have cool cover on the magazine I wasn’t a fan of them because often times the cover will lose color and if you hold them long enough the coloring will stick to your fingers
I’m still hurt by this
shoutout reggie from gamestop trade in value
SMART THUMBNAIL
funcoland omg yessss.
Man I can’t even be mad about $70 games anymore . 70 for Pokémon stadium 😮💨
You know what. This was something personal. I don't know for i just got let go from my job in a very similar way on some personal spite stuff.
There is absolutely no reason to let people go without even notifying them and then trying to erase them from existence
i remember my mom got me a sub to Game Informer, then 9/11 happen, then they just stopped getting delivered
Game informer use to have cheat codes in them and I couldn’t wait to get the new one every month
A TBH what happened to assassin's creed 3.5 mwn music video
Great content bro
Made it in a Hokage video.
What main apps do you use on your PC to edit a lot of your videos?
Rip Gameinformer
*Rockstar Games should buy the rights to GI and use it as their own personal outlet to talk about how they're shitting on the entire industry and why everyone else is failing* 👌
no way you referred to yourself in the third person 😂😂😂😂😂😂 W video tho man
The tubesteak clip tho 😂😂😂😂
Aye hold on.. i used to have one of them travel console cases 😂😂😂
Hell yea! Fucc GameStop for how they did Game Informer! GI is legends in the game and they just gonna delete the whole legacy?! That shit foul
Great content.
Nice deep dive on this topic. World going to shitz man
Another fire upload TBH