Electronic Gaming Monthly shaped how an entire generation discovered, discussed, and dreamed about video games from 1989 until the internet rendered print magazines obsolete. On December 3, 2025, YouTube channels My Life in Gaming and Game Sack released Pixels to Pages, a free 76-minute documentary that chronicles EGM’s journey from startup magazine to industry institution. Featuring interviews with legendary Editor-in-Chief Ed Semrad, late editor Martin Alessi, managing editor Ken Williams (aka Sushi-X), and historian Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation, the documentary captures an era when magazines were the only window into gaming’s future.
What makes Pixels to Pages remarkable is its timing and scope. The documentary doesn’t try to cover EGM’s entire 25-year existence, instead focusing intensely on the magazine’s founding through its 1996 sale to Ziff Davis. That decision creates a cohesive narrative about scrappy kids building something influential before corporate ownership changed the tone. Reddit users who’ve watched it describe the documentary as wonderful and marvellous filmmaking, with one calling it their favorite gaming documentary period.
- How EGM Started With 19-Year-Olds Running a Magazine
- The Review Crew and Sushi-X Mystery
- The Pre-Internet Era That Made EGM Essential
- The Legendary April Fools Hoaxes
- The Ziff Davis Sale That Changed Everything
- The Daily Duties Behind Magazine Magic
- Why This Documentary Matters Now
- The Compendium Book Coming Soon
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
How EGM Started With 19-Year-Olds Running a Magazine
Electronic Gaming Monthly launched in 1989 under Sendai Publications, though the magazine’s roots trace back to 1988 as U.S. National Video Game Team’s Electronic Gaming Monthly. The documentary reveals that impossibly young people ran the operation during those early years. Ed Semrad became Editor-in-Chief while barely out of his teens, building the magazine’s editorial voice and review philosophy that would define gaming journalism for the next decade.
The U.S. National Video Game Team connection gave EGM unique access and credibility. This competitive gaming organization from the pre-esports era lent legitimacy to the magazine’s coverage, suggesting that the people writing about games actually played them at elite levels. That authenticity differentiated EGM from competitors who treated gaming as children’s entertainment rather than a legitimate hobby deserving serious coverage.
According to Red Cow Arcade’s discussion of the documentary, it’s crazy to think about how young these pioneers were when they created something so influential. The documentary interviews first-generation staff who built EGM’s foundation, providing firsthand accounts of what it took to launch a gaming magazine before industry infrastructure existed. These weren’t experienced journalists pivoting to cover a new beat; they were enthusiasts figuring out how to professionalize gaming coverage in real-time.
Ed Semrad’s Screenshot Obsession Changed Everything
One of the documentary’s most fascinating revelations involves how Ed Semrad approached covering games at industry events. Before the internet made screenshots instantly available, magazines competed fiercely to publish exclusive images of upcoming games. Semrad became legendary for capturing the best screenshots at trade shows and press events, often photographing games that ultimately never released or changed dramatically before launch.
Those screenshots became historical artifacts documenting gaming’s development in ways few realized at the time. Games that got cancelled, features that got cut, graphical styles that changed during development – EGM’s pages preserved these moments. Semrad’s commitment to photographic quality meant EGM consistently featured clearer, better-lit images than competitors who treated screenshots as an afterthought. For readers in the pre-internet era, those images were the only glimpse they’d get of upcoming releases for months.
Viewers of the documentary identified Semrad’s story as their favorite part. Red Cow Arcade specifically highlighted everything about Ed as the documentary’s standout section. His passion for documenting gaming accurately and comprehensively established standards that gaming journalism still follows today, even if the medium shifted from glossy magazine pages to digital storefronts.
The Review Crew and Sushi-X Mystery
EGM pioneered the multi-reviewer approach where four editors scored each game independently, providing readers with diverse perspectives rather than a single authoritative voice. This Review Crew format became the magazine’s signature feature, influencing how gaming outlets structure criticism to this day. The system acknowledged that different players value different elements, and games that excel in specific areas might deserve recognition even if they don’t appeal universally.
One Review Crew member became particularly infamous: Sushi-X, whose harsh scores and cryptic identity sparked endless speculation. The documentary addresses both the origins of Sushi-X and reveals the person behind the persona – managing editor Ken Williams. His strict scoring and willingness to pan popular games created controversy but also credibility. When Sushi-X praised something, it meant the game truly delivered, because he wasn’t afraid to call out mediocrity regardless of publisher pressure or fan expectations.
Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation provides valuable context in the documentary about what made EGM’s review approach distinctive. While competitors often featured single-reviewer coverage or uncritically praised major releases to maintain publisher relationships, EGM’s multi-perspective format and willingness to score honestly established trust with readers who relied on those reviews to make expensive purchase decisions in an era without YouTube gameplay footage or Twitch streams.
The Pre-Internet Era That Made EGM Essential
Younger gamers who grew up with instant access to gameplay videos, developer interviews, and crowdsourced reviews might struggle to understand why magazines mattered so intensely. The documentary captures what Red Cow Arcade describes as the world before internet, where there was no other way to learn about upcoming games besides monthly magazines. If you wanted to know what was releasing next month or what games were being developed in Japan, you waited for EGM to arrive in your mailbox or checked newsstands desperately hoping the new issue had shipped.
That scarcity created anticipation modern gamers rarely experience. Getting excited about upcoming releases happened through EGM’s preview sections filled with screenshots and second-hand descriptions from journalists who’d seen brief demos at trade shows. Reviews determined whether you spent $50-70 on a new cartridge or game, a massive investment when adjusted for inflation. If EGM’s Review Crew collectively scored something poorly, that game likely stayed on shelves because few could afford to risk money on duds.
Polygon’s 2014 retrospective noted that for two decades, EGM maintained a focal position in the games media landscape. Before the internet, the periodical was a vital conduit for American readers interested in gaming as a hobby. The documentary beautifully captures that era when physical magazines weren’t just media outlets but cultural artifacts that connected isolated gamers into a larger community through shared information and perspectives.
The Legendary April Fools Hoaxes
EGM became notorious for elaborate April Fools jokes that fooled readers so completely they entered gaming mythology. The April 1992 issue featured the Sheng Long hoax in Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, describing a secret character that didn’t exist. Players spent months attempting the fictional unlock conditions, convinced they were missing something. The joke succeeded so well that Capcom eventually created Akuma/Gouki, a secret boss partially inspired by EGM’s fabrication.
These pranks demonstrated EGM’s cultural influence. When the magazine published something, readers believed it carried authority and accuracy. That trust made the April Fools jokes land harder but also risked damaging credibility. The documentary likely addresses how staff navigated that tension between entertaining readers through creative fiction versus maintaining the journalistic integrity that made EGM respected in the first place.
The Ziff Davis Sale That Changed Everything
After 83 issues, Sendai Publishing sold EGM to media giant Ziff Davis in June 1996. The documentary focuses significant attention on this transition and how corporate ownership affected the magazine’s tone and content. What started as a scrappy operation run by young enthusiasts became part of a larger media portfolio where business considerations sometimes conflicted with editorial independence.
Many staff members who built EGM’s identity during the Sendai years eventually left after the Ziff Davis acquisition. Whether they departed immediately or gradually over subsequent years, the sale marked the end of an era when EGM’s creators had complete control over their editorial vision. The documentary captures perspectives from those who experienced the transition firsthand, discussing how priorities shifted as corporate management implemented different strategies.
This isn’t to say EGM declined immediately or that Ziff Davis ruined the magazine. The publication continued for another 13 years under Ziff Davis ownership, adapting to industry changes and maintaining relevance through the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Wii generations. However, the documentary’s decision to end its narrative around 1996 suggests that the foundational story worth telling concludes when the original vision transitioned to corporate stewardship.
The Daily Duties Behind Magazine Magic
Pixels to Pages doesn’t just focus on EGM’s highlights and legendary moments. The documentary explores the actual daily work of producing a monthly gaming magazine before digital tools streamlined publishing. How did editors coordinate photoshoots? What was the process for fact-checking preview information when developers couldn’t instantly email corrections? How did layout artists assemble pages when desktop publishing was relatively new technology?
These operational details fascinate because they reveal how much harder creating gaming content was before modern infrastructure. Today’s gaming journalists can capture gameplay footage instantly, publish articles minutes after embargo lifts, and correct errors immediately if mistakes slip through. EGM’s staff worked with month-long production cycles where mistakes printed in ink couldn’t be fixed, and getting information required phone calls, faxes, or physically attending events rather than watching announcement livestreams from home offices.
The documentary featuring interviews with people who actually did this work provides invaluable preservation of institutional knowledge that’s rapidly disappearing. As the generation who built print gaming journalism ages, capturing their stories becomes increasingly urgent. Projects like Pixels to Pages ensure that future gamers understand how coverage evolved and what challenges early journalists overcame to build the infrastructure modern media takes for granted.
Why This Documentary Matters Now
Gaming history preservation often focuses on the games themselves – cataloging releases, documenting development stories, preserving source code and assets. Less attention gets paid to the media infrastructure that surrounded games and shaped how audiences experienced them. Pixels to Pages fills that gap by treating EGM as culturally significant beyond just being a magazine that reviewed games.
The timing particularly matters given how few people involved in early gaming journalism remain active in the industry. Martin Alessi, one of the editors interviewed for the documentary, has since passed away. Every year that passes means more stories, perspectives, and institutional knowledge vanish unless someone captures them. My Life in Gaming and Game Sack recognized this urgency and acted, creating a historical document that will only become more valuable as time passes.
For viewers who never read EGM because they came to gaming after print magazines faded, the documentary provides context about how coverage evolved into its current form. The Review Crew concept that seems obvious now was innovative when EGM introduced it. The commitment to screenshot quality that Semrad championed influenced how outlets present visual content decades later. Understanding where modern practices originated enriches appreciation for how journalism adapted to gaming’s growth.
The Compendium Book Coming Soon
Pixels to Pages arriving in December 2025 coincides with another EGM preservation project. In October 2024, a Kickstarter campaign launched for The Electronic Gaming Monthly Compendium, a retrospective book celebrating the magazine’s legacy. The campaign reached its $35,000 goal within 24 hours, demonstrating sustained interest in EGM’s history and nostalgia for the print era.
That book and this documentary serve complementary purposes. The Compendium will likely showcase EGM’s pages, iconic covers, memorable reviews, and visual evolution across 25 years. Pixels to Pages provides the human stories behind those pages, explaining how decisions got made and what motivated the people creating content. Together they offer comprehensive documentation of what EGM represented culturally and operationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Pixels to Pages?
The documentary is available for free on YouTube through both My Life in Gaming and Game Sack’s channels. It was released on December 3, 2025 and runs 76 minutes. No subscription, rental fee, or crowdfunding backer reward is required – the creators made it freely accessible to everyone.
Who is featured in the documentary?
Key interviewees include former Editor-in-Chief Ed Semrad, the late editor Martin Alessi, managing editor and Sushi-X Ken Williams, and Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation. The documentary focuses on people involved during EGM’s founding through its 1996 sale to Ziff Davis, covering the magazine’s formative Sendai Publications era.
What time period does the documentary cover?
Pixels to Pages focuses primarily on EGM’s founding in 1988-1989 through its sale to Ziff Davis in 1996. Rather than attempting to cover the magazine’s full 25-year existence through 2014, the documentary provides deep coverage of the formative years when the original vision and editorial identity were established.
Is Electronic Gaming Monthly still publishing?
The physical magazine ceased publication in 2014. An internet-only relaunch occurred in 2019 at EGMNow.com, but content updates have been sporadic. As of late 2024, the last article posted was from early 2024. The brand still exists but isn’t actively producing regular content like during its print heyday.
Why did EGM stop publishing?
The January 2009 issue was EGM’s last under Ziff Davis ownership after the company sold 1UP.com to UGO Networks. Founder Steve Harris purchased the magazine’s assets and relaunched it in April 2010, expanding coverage to PC and mobile gaming. This version lasted until 2014 when print publication ended, reflecting broader industry shifts away from print media toward digital outlets.
What made EGM different from other gaming magazines?
EGM pioneered the multi-reviewer approach where four editors independently scored games, providing diverse perspectives. The magazine maintained high standards for screenshot quality and journalistic integrity, reviewing games honestly regardless of publisher pressure. Frank Cifaldi notes in the documentary that EGM stood out from competitors through its commitment to treating gaming seriously as a hobby deserving thoughtful coverage.
Who created the Pixels to Pages documentary?
The documentary was directed and edited by Joe Redifer from Game Sack in collaboration with My Life in Gaming. Both are established retro gaming YouTube channels known for high-quality production and deep research. The project was not crowdfunded, with the creators producing it independently before releasing it for free.
Conclusion
Pixels to Pages delivers essential viewing for anyone interested in gaming history, journalism, or how media evolved before the internet centralized information distribution. By focusing intensely on EGM’s founding through 1996 rather than attempting comprehensive coverage of 25 years, My Life in Gaming and Game Sack created a cohesive narrative about passionate young people building something culturally significant without fully realizing its impact. The interviews with Ed Semrad, Martin Alessi, Ken Williams, and others who lived this history provide firsthand accounts that will only become more valuable as time passes and fewer participants remain to share their perspectives. For gamers who grew up reading EGM, the documentary offers nostalgia and validation that those magazines genuinely mattered in shaping how they discovered and engaged with gaming. For younger audiences who never experienced print gaming journalism, Pixels to Pages explains the world before instant information where waiting for the monthly magazine delivery created anticipation modern media consumption rarely replicates. The documentary’s free availability on YouTube ensures maximum accessibility, treating this historical preservation as something worth sharing broadly rather than monetizing. Combined with the forthcoming Electronic Gaming Monthly Compendium book, gaming history preservation is having a moment where EGM’s legacy receives the documentation it deserves. Whether you remember religiously reading the Review Crew scores, attempting to unlock Sheng Long in Street Fighter II because EGM said it was possible, or you’ve simply heard references to EGM without understanding why it mattered, Pixels to Pages provides context and stories that illuminate a foundational era in gaming media.