15 years ago, anyone could send PC Gamer magazine text messages. We got some weird ones
PC Gamer magazine is reflecting on a quirky feature from approximately 2011, when the publication accepted text messages from readers. The initiative, which allowed fans to send SMS messages directly to the magazine, resulted in a collection of unconventional and often bizarre submissions from its audience.
The retrospective highlights how engaged PC Gamer’s readership was during that era, willing to pay for postage to mail physical letters to the magazine and invest in sending text messages—a practice that underscores the commitment gaming enthusiasts demonstrated toward their favorite publications. The article notes one particular reader submission featuring an unusual quote about wearing a dressing gown and engaging in cavalry pursuits, exemplifying the type of creative and offbeat content the magazine received.
The piece appears to be part of a broader nostalgia trend examining how magazine culture and reader engagement have evolved since the early 2010s. The mention of PC Gamer exploring paid commenting on their website suggests a historical comparison between various monetization and engagement strategies the publication has experimented with over the years. This retrospective captures a distinct moment in gaming media history when direct reader interaction through emerging mobile technology was still a novelty, contrasting with modern digital engagement practices on social media and online platforms.