I have every single issue of this title.
Game Player's began as a single mag which alternated between Nintendo and PC issues. This was VOLUME 1:
Game Player's Nintendo Buyer's Guide Vol. 1 No. 1 (this issue was also sold under the title The Game Player's Guide to Nintendo)
The Game Player's Guide to MS-DOS Computer Games Vol. 1 No. 2
Game Player's Nintendo Strategy Guide Vol.1 No.3 (this issue was also sold under the title Game Player's Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games)
Game Player's MS-DOS Strategy Guide Vol. 1 No. 4
Following Volume 1, GP split into two separate magazines, one for Nintendo and one for PC. When they made this split, each mag started over with a new Vol. 1. However, they quickly changed their mind and switched to Volume 2. The PC mag published just one issue under the 2nd "Volume 1" heading - the issue above. After this issue, the next one was "Volume 2 issue 2." So while this issue SAYS Vol. 1 No. 1 on the cover, it was retroactively treated as Vol. 2 No. 1 just a couple of months later.
Whether we list it as Vol. 1 No. 1 or Vol. 2 No. 1 in the DB is debatable, since either way is likely to confuse people:
If we list it as Vol. 1 No. 1, people will wonder why Vol. 1 No. 1 came out 6 months AFTER Vol. 1 No. 2. They'll also wonder why there is no Vol. 2 No. 1.
If we list it as Vol. 2 No. 1, people will wonder why it says Vol. 1 No. 1 on the cover.
I think the second way is better, though. Either way will require an explanatory note in the DB listing, but listing it as Vol. 2 No. 1 is simpler, and is also technically correct since that is what the mag was retroactively considered to be by the publisher.
Btw, the GP Nintendo mag is even worse, since they published TWO issues under the 2nd "Volume 1" before changing their mind and switching to Volume 2. So while Vol. 1 of the Nintendo mag is the exact same 4 issues as Vol. 1 of the PC mag, Vol.2 goes like this:
Game Player's Buyer's Guide to Nintendo Games Vol. 1 No. 1
Game Player's Nintendo Strategy Guide Vol.1 No.2
Game Player's Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games Vol.2 No.3
...at which point it continues normally (Vol. 2 No. 4, etc) So while there are no Nintendo mags with "Vol. 2 No 1" or "Vol. 2 No. 2" actually printed on the cover, the above 2 issues were retroactively considered to be the first two issues of Vol. 2.
This confused everyone here TO NO END for quite literally DECADES. But with the help of the VGHF, combined with the fact that I've finally got copies of all the mags in question, the mysterious beginnings of the Game Player's series is finally understood.
It doesn't make the databases look any less confusing at a glance, though LOL.
They obviously had no idea anyone would care about this 36/37 years in the future.
He's the other DB Mod. Back in the day it was me and him, but then he sort of stopped contributing (he very infrequently logs in anymore) and so Migjmz was promoted. Then I left the site, making Migjmz essentially the ONLY db mod. I got banned for taking a break from the site, and stripped of my permissions, but RetroDefense is still technically a DB mod, even if he hasn't done any DB modding since before you joined the site.
Thanks! Great explanation! I agree with you, I think it’s better to threat it as Volume 2 Issue 1.
Unfortunately, I can only add issue but I can’t remove or delete any. I will probably need to ask E-Day or Migjmz.
Really glad to hear tou have the whole set also.
Sure we can delete it, I was doing some search on eBay and I came across someone selling it. I do not have this issue, I just put the image there as a temporary image so we know what this magazine looks like. The cover says Vol. 1 No. 1 , but what you are actually saying it’s Vol. 2 No.1 ?
I’m really glad you have it.
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