| Editor | Ed Wiggemans |
|---|---|
| Categories | Video games |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Circulation | 39,000 |
| Publisher | HUB Uitgevers |
| First issue | June 1993 |
| Country | Netherlands, Belgium |
| Language | Dutch |
| Website | Powerweb |
Power Unlimited is a Dutch multi-format computer and video games magazine. It is the biggest gaming magazine in the Benelux. The first issue was released in June 1993.
Contents |
Power Unlimited started in June 1993 in Bjorn Bruinsma's basement as a new label of VNU Business Publications. With VNU's other labels being primarily free business magazines, a gaming magazine was considered a big risk that lacked a real audience. That's why they decided to start it up in Bjorn Bruinsma's basement. VNU started out with only freelance editors. One year later, the concept had proven itself worthy, and an Editor in Chief and Final Editor were employed. Since that first year, Power Unlimited has become the biggest gaming magazine of the Benelux countries.
Power Unlimited has expanded to other activities, organizing an annual gaming event since 2003, and hosting the television show Gamekings.
From November 2007, Power Unlimited is published by HUB Uitgevers (HUB Publishers), after being taken over from VNU Media.
In the 16-year history of the magazine, more than 1,500 games have been reviewed. Reviewed games are given an overall score out of 100. Although several games have received scores high in the 90s, only nine have been given a perfect 100: these are Escape From Cyber City, Mortal Kombat 2, Sentinel Returns, Gran Turismo 2, Super Mario Galaxy, Grand Theft Auto IV, LittleBigPlanet, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and Fallout 3.
Sometimes, however, such as with the game Dead or Alive Xtreme 2, a bogus score is given to make a statement. In the above case, the game was rewarded a score of 99, 1 point higher than The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess which was, according to the editor in question, extremely overrated.[1] This was also the case with the game Beavis and Butthead, which was given a 132.
The magazine offers previews, tips and tricks, news, and specials, as well as a comic, an art page, and a mailbox where readers can voice their opinion, or sometimes have their questions answered by the editors.
The magazine targets the teenage gamer demographic, male gamers between 13 and 19 years old.
When the magazine started in 1993, it started in the basement of the home of Bjorn Bruinsma. He was responsible for negotiating with legal and grey-area game importers, advertising and production. Before the VNU decided it was good enough to publish internally. The editorial team consisted of Bjorn Bruinsma (who wrote more than 80% of the first issue), Kees de Koning, Michael Schaeffer, Ben de Dood and Adam Eeuwens. The publisher at the VNU was Matt Heffels.
After a year, Power Unlimited hired two employees: Editor in Chief Edwin Ammerlaan and current Final Editor Ed Wiggemans. Although most editors are still working on a freelance basis, a number of them are employed.
The editorial team consists of: