Computer and Video Games

For similarly named periodicals, see Computer Games (disambiguation) § Publications.

"Computer and video games" redirects here. For the general concept, see video game.

Computer and Video Games (also known as CVG, Computer & Video Games, C&VG, Computer + Video Games, or C+VG) is a British-based video game magazine, published in its original form between 1981 and 2004.^[1] Its offshoot website was launched in 1999^[2] and closed in February 2015.^[3] CVG was the longest-running video game media brand in the world.^[4] Several CVG writers led the creation of Video Games Chronicle in 2019.^[5]

Computer and Video Games

March 1991 cover
Categories	Computer magazine
Frequency	Monthly
First issue	November 1981
Final issue	October 2004
Country	United Kingdom
Based in	London
Website	computerandvideogames.com (defunct)
ISSN	0261-3697

History

Computer and Video Games was established in 1981, being the first British video games magazine.^[6] Initially published monthly between November 1981^[7] and October 2004 and solely web-based from 2004 onwards,^[8][9] the magazine was one of the first publications to capitalise on the growing home computing market, although it also covered arcade games. At the time of launch it was the world's first dedicated video games magazine.^[10] The first issue featured articles on Space Invaders, Chess, Othello and advice on how to learn programming.^[11]

Reviews featured a numerical score, with the highest rated games receiving the "C+VG Hit" award. This logo came to be seen as a selling point for games, big and small.^{[12][better source needed]}

The magazine had a ABC of 106,000 for the second half of 1986.^[13]

Website

In early 2014, CVG, amongst other Future-operated websites, was earmarked for closure by management,^[14] but instead received staff cuts in July.^[15] Future announced the closure of the website in December 2014.^[3] The website closed on 26 February 2015, with all pages redirecting to Gamesradar+, another Future publication.^[16]

YouTube channel

Until the closure of CVG, their official YouTube channel provided a variety of video game related content, providing everything from walkthroughs of games to news regarding video game consoles^[17][18] and regarding gaming events.^[19] Their second longest running series, GTA V O'clock^[20] covered news and conspiracy theories regarding Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online. It was one of the few publications invited to see and play Grand Theft Auto V^[21] before its release to the public on 17 September 2013 and re-release for PC^[22] on 14 April 2015.

CVG Presents

CVG Presents

Cover of issue 1 of CVG Presents
Categories	Computer magazine
Frequency	Bi-monthly
First issue	April 2008
Country	United Kingdom
Website	ComputerAndVideoGames.com (defunct)

When the magazine did reappear it was in a new form, titled CVG Presents, on 16 April 2008 with a bi-monthly release schedule.^[23]

Golden Joystick Awards

CVG hosted the annual Golden Joystick Awards, the longest running gaming ceremony in the world and widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious, as they're voted for solely by the general gaming public. Originally created in 1982 as the CVG magazine's annual awards ceremony, the awards moved onto the web with CVG.com in 1999.^[24]

In April 1983, the magazine published the results of its first Golden Joystick Awards, along with pictures from the ceremony in Berkeley Square. DJ Dave Lee Travis presented the award for best game of the year to Jetpac.^[25]