Bath-based media group Future’s market-leading GamesMaster magazine has celebrated its 300th issue with an analysis of gaming past, present and yet to come.
The title first hit the newsstands in January 1993 by the then Future Publishing to complement a Channel 4 TV show of the same name. At the time gamers played on 16-bit consoles such as the top-selling Sega Megadrive and SNES.
The show went off the air in February 1998 after 126 episodes, but GamesMaster continued and has become a multi-platform magazine and one of the most respected and vibrant brands in gaming media. To celebrate, issue 300 – which went on sale yesterday – takes a look at gaming over the years, at its current state and at what may happen in years to come. 
For the anniversary issue, the magazine has brought together some of the world’s leading gaming journalists to devise lists of The 100 Most Influential Games Ever, The 100 Best Games To Play Right Now, and, taking a look forward, the next 100 years according to videogames.
The issue also includes an exclusive interview with Eiji Aounuma, creator of the Zelda franchise, as well as the usual news and reviews.
GamesMaster Magazine editor Matthew Gilman said: “To reach our 300th issue is a mightily impressive milestone, but just saying it doesn’t capture the significance of being a focal point of passionate games coverage for over 20 years.
“An entire generation of gamers has grown up with GamesMaster, and it’s a source of immense pride amongst the team that our readers have always been so passionate. They make the mag a joy to craft.
“Issue 300 itself is an absolute barnstormer, and an ideal way for us to say a big ‘thank you’ to our readers. I’m sure that gamers both young and old will get a kick out of it, especially the huge three-part special feature which is one of the biggest that we’ve ever built.
“We’ve a really exciting future ahead, too. With Nintendo making new console noises and more games to cover than ever before, we’re set to have even more to celebrate at the forefront of the best hobby in the world. Here’s to issue 400!”
Pictured: Issue one of GamesMaster
