Hyper is a multi-platform Australian video game magazine. Australia's longest running gaming magazine, it has been in publication since 1993, and was released the same month as the better known UK magazine Edge. It is currently edited by David Wildgoose.

Hyper's sister magazine is the PC game-oriented PC PowerPlay, also published by Next Media.

History[link]

Hyper was launched in 1993 by Next Media with Stuart Clarke in the editor's seat. Clarke had previously edited Megazone, a multi-platform magazine published by Sega Ozisoft. When Clarke left Megazone and the title became defunct, he was asked by Next Media publisher, Phil Keir, to start a new multi-platform gaming magazine. Clarke recounted the events in Hyper's 100th issue:

"Just as I was starting to relax, Phil Keir, owner of Next Media and publisher of Rolling Stone, rang me at home one night to ask a few questions. Before I knew it he had asked me to set up a brand new games magazine - one that I created and controlled completely! So after a few nano-seconds of thought I said, 'Um, okay then'. One of the first decisions was to make it a true multi-format title, covering the best games on all platforms." - Stuart Clarke, February 2002 issue 100 of Hyper.

On April 28th, 2010, Hyper Magazine released its 200th issue. Daniel Wilks was the then editor of Hyper since 2007 and the 200th issue was his last. He then passed the baton onto deputy editor Darren Wells, after the success of the 200th issue release.

"I started on the magazine about six years ago, and during that time we had competition come and go, as well as all the horror stories and nay-saying that print was dead," says Wilks. "I'll admit there were a few times that I thought the end days may have been coming - especially during the peak of the GFC when every publishing company seemed to be shedding staff and magazines like it was going out of style, but I've always believed that the magazine could weather anything thrown at it. All of us who have worked on Hyper feel the same way. 200 is a pretty huge milestone for a magazine."^[1]

The launch issue of the magazine was created in two months with Clarke as editor, Andrew Humphreys as deputy editor, and Aaron Rogers as art director.

Despite numerous competitors entering the market at various stages, such as ACP's Gamestar, Australian GamePro, and the relaunched Megazone, all these titles folded within 12 months of launch while Hyper remained a strong title.

Since its inception, Hyper has developed and maintained a reputation for being independent and honest with its readers. It is known for its irreverent sense of humour and both entertaining and informative features, reviews, and previews.

Features[link]

In addition to coverage of all current major video game systems and game releases, Hyper also covers anime, DVD movies, arcade and classic games, and features in-depth interviews with industry professionals and articles on game-related content such as computer hardware and video game music. The magazine also features 100% Australian content (Mag Nation 2012)^[2].

The magazine contains regular sections such as: news, features, previews, reviews, opinion pieces, and a letters page.

The website has hosted an internet forum since 1996 that serves as a link between editors and readers of the magazine. The site also encourages feedback about game reviews through a comments section while is also linked to a twitter feed and facebook page. Latest information on industry events, games development programmes and competitions is also linked to the site (Hyper 2010). ^[3]

Former Editors[link]

Stuart Clarke (1993–1996)
Dan Toose (1997–1999) - currently works as a game designer for Creative Assembly in Brisbane
Eliot Fish (1999–2004) - currently works for Good Game at the ABC
Cam Shea (2005–2007) - currently holds the post of Games Editor at IGN Australia^[4]
Daniel Wilks - (2007–2010) - until recently (September 2010) was editor of the Official Nintendo Magazine
Anthony Fordham - (2010)
Dylan Burns - (2010)
David Wildgoose - (2011-current)

Former Deputy Editors[link]

Andrew Humphreys - currently works as an author
Ben Mansill - co-creator of Byteside
Maurice Branscombe - currently works as a TV producer on Good Game
Darren Wells - now editor of Official Xbox Magazine (Australian Edition)

Contributors[link]

Regular contributors to the magazine include: Dylan "I told you to shave those side" Burns, James "Jickle" O'Connor, Dan Staines, Tracey Lien, Mikolai, Patrick Lum, Sarah LaMotte, Leigh Harris, Tim Henderson, Daniel Golding, Daniel Wilks, Dave Kozicki, Katie Williams, and Toby McCasker.

Magazine Covers[link]

See also[link]

• Next Media
• PC PowerPlay

References[link]

1. ^ Hill, Jason. "Screen Play: Digital Life". Still Hyper after 200 issues. The Age. http://blogs.theage.com.au/digital-life/screenplay/2010/04/28/stillhyperaft.html. Retrieved 9 May 2011. 
2. ^ Mag Nation, 2012, Hyper, accessed 2/5/2012, http://www.magnation.com/Hyper-2712.php?browseState=1e091
3. ^ Hyper, 2010, Australia's Ultimate Video Magazine, accessed 2/5/2012, http://www.hyper.com.au/2012/04/
4. ^ IGN: Cam Shea Joins IGN AU

External links[link]

• Next Media page
• Hyperactive: Hyper's Website
• Hyperactive Forums