Julian Rignall
Julian Rignall | |
---|---|
Born | London, England | 6 March 1965
Occupation | writer, editor |
Subject | Video games and gaming |
Julian "Jaz" Rignall (born 6 March 1965, London, England) is a writer and editor. He has also produced content for corporate websites such as GamePro Media, publisher of GamePro magazine and GamePro.com, marketing collateral and advertising campaigns.
Career
Early 1980s: Teenage gaming journalist
Rignall's career as a gaming journalist began in London in the early 1980s as a student competing in video game tournaments. During his teenage years, Rignall held the UK and World Record high scores on video games such as
1985–1988: First magazine launch
In 1985, the former editor of
In December 1987, Rignall became editor of Zzap!64, a position he retained until August 1988 (Issue 39).[4]
1988–1993: EMAP publications, media appearances
In 1988, Rignall joined
In 1990, recognising the console market was large enough to warrant a magazine of its own, Rignall launched Mean Machines.[6] Covering the top-selling video game systems of the time, such as the Super NES and Mega Drive, Mean Machines became the largest-selling multi-platform publication in the United Kingdom.[7] At first the print run of the magazine was kept limited, to create demand.[3] In 1992, Mean Machines was split into two separate publications: the officially endorsed Nintendo Magazine System, now known as Official Nintendo Magazine, and Mean Machines Sega.[5]
In late 1993, Rignall launched his final British publication, the officially endorsed
During this period, Rignall appeared regularly on TV as a games reviewer on the British TV programme GamesMaster, and made numerous appearances on BBC Television and BBC Radio as an industry commentator and field expert.
1994–1997: US software development
In 1994, Rignall transitioned from magazine publishing to software development, joining Virgin Interactive Entertainment[8] in Irvine, California. As vice-president of design, he was responsible for product design and licensing acquisitions from other game developers and publishers. While at Virgin, Rignall contributed to such titles as Agile Warrior F-111X, NanoTek Warrior, The Lion King, The Jungle Book and the highly anticipated, but never published, Thrill Kill.[9]
1997–2002: IGN expansion
In 1997, Rignall left Virgin and moved to San Francisco, California, to join the
2002–2007: Online retailing and marketing
During 2002, Rignall shifted from the games business into online retailing and marketing. He became editorial director at
2007–2010: Future Plus Custom Publishing
In August 2007, Rignall rejoined
2010–2011: GamePro Media
On 8 November 2010, GamePro Media appointed Rignall as vice-president of content.[15] His first "From the Editor" column appeared in GamePro's February 2011 issue.
2013–2017: USGamer
In March 2013 Rignall developed the
References
- ^ "The History of 8bit Gaming in the UK " July". Zxsoftware.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "'Don't burn your bridges' – veteran Julian Rignall reflects on 35 years in games media — Games Media Brit List". www.gamesmediabritlist.com. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018.
- ^ a b c "Julian Rignall: The Definitive Interview / Mean Machines Archive". Meanmachinesmag.co.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Zzap! Editorials 1988".
- ^ a b ""Oh my god, what have I got myself into?" the inside story of the golden age of video game magazines". January 2020.
- ^ "Julian Jaz Rignall Interview". 27 February 2019.
- ^ "Mean Machines Issues 1 – 24 – Mean Machines Archive". Meanmachinesmag.co.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "The story of Mean Machines magazine". Eurogamer. 4 June 2017.
- ^ "Julian Rignall". MobyGames. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Imagine Games Network Re-Launches Its Popular Site; Largest Computer and Video Game Destination on the Web Takes on a Whole New Look. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 8 September 1998. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "2001 | The Webby Awards Gallery + Archive". Webbyawards.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Best Buy Launches @Gamer, A New Magazine for Gaming Enthusiasts " Future US, Inc". Futureus.com. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Future partners with Blizzard Entertainment for World of Warcraft®: The Magazine " Future US, Inc". Futureus.com. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "CUSTOM MEDIA TAKES CENTER STAGE AT 5TH ANNUAL PEARL AWARDS | Custom Content Council". Custompublishingcouncil.com. 14 November 2008. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "IDG's GamePro Media Appoints Julian Rignall to Vice President, Content : Page 1 of 2 : Publishing Executive". Pubexec.com. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Jaz Rignall steps up as editorial director for USGamer".
- ^ https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-rignall-0493715 [self-published source]
- "In the chair with... Julian Rignall". Retro Gamer (106): 86–91.
- Ogden, Gavin (19 September 2009). "Jaz Rignall interview". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on 26 January 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
- Cifaldi, Frank (5 August 2011). "GamePro's Last Stand: How America's Oldest Game Magazine Will Be Its Newest". Gamasutra. Archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
External links
Media related to Jaz Rignall at Wikimedia Commons
- Interview with Julian Rignall, The Mean Machines Archive