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GamesFirst! Online since 1995

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About Us

GamesFirst! is a longstanding independent online videogame magazine. GamesFirst! Internet Magazine was founded in 1995 by Zap Reicken and Cactus Computers in Moscow, Idaho. The domain was registered in 1996, and GF! became one of the first PC gaming websites online.

In 1998, GamesFirst! was bought by Rick Fehrenbacher and Al Wildey, two professors at the University of Idaho. In 1999, GamesFirst! attended E3 for the first time, and the site also began its multiplatform gaming coverage that year with the addition of Shawn Rider as the Consoles section editor.

Together, these three defined the direction of GF! for the years to come: Thoughtful and candid content. Games are for everyone. Games are a form of art. Games are worthy of study and attention. It is an adherence to these tenets that has guided GF! ever since.

By 2001 the \"consoles\" section had become absorbed into the main site, and GF! had firmly established itself as a presence in gaming journalism. The site was sold once again, this time to former Consoles Editor, Shawn Rider and longtime GF! writers Sarah Wichlacz and Jeff Luther. The site has remained under the same ownership, with the exception of Jeff Luther, who stepped away from the site in 2004.

Shawn and Sarah continue to own GF!, and Aaron Stanton has come on to fill the role of Assistant Editor. Aaron has been with the site since 2000, when he began as a PC reviewer. In August of 2005, as a part of our 10th Anniversary celebration, Shawn recoded the site into its most advanced incarnation yet. In 2005, GF! also launched two major new features: Twoplayer Comic, and the GF! Weekly Wrap-Up Podcast, both of which are weekly publications created by GF! Staff.

Of course GamesFirst! would be nothing without the many talented individuals who have poured their hearts into the site. The site is a collaborative effort, and everyone at GF! is motivated by a love of games and gaming. With correspondents all over the world, GF! has managed to remain a force in online gaming journalism.

If you have any comments or questions about GamesFirst!, please feel free to email us at mailbag[AT]gamesfirst.com

Staff Listing

Editor in Chief
Shawn Rider || View full profile.

Assistant Editor
Aaron Stanton || View full profile.

Editor
Sarah Wichlacz || View full profile.

Editor
Eric Qualls || View full profile.

Production Editor
Chris Martin || View full profile.

Production Staff
Tristan Mayshark || View full profile.

Intern
David Mackiewicz || View full profile.

Intern
Andy Blair || View full profile.

Senior Staff
Matt Baldwin || View full profile.

Senior Staff
Matt James || View full profile.

Senior Staff
Monica Hafer || View full profile.

Senior Staff
Jeremy Kauffman || View full profile.

Senior Staff
Rick Fehrenbacher || View full profile.

Staff Artist
Noah Kroese || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Jamie Gergen || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Jason Perkins || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Amanda Bateman || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Sean Hilliard || View full profile.

Staff Writer
RJ Brooks || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Drew Celestino || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Jason Frank || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Laurie Taylor || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Steffan Del Piano || View full profile.

Staff Writer
George Holomshek || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Blaine Krumpe || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Eric Bodrero || View full profile.

Staff Writer
Chris Galbraith || View full profile.

Contributor
Val Townsend || View full profile.

Contributor
James Gardiner || View full profile.


(c) 1995-2024 GamesFirst! Magazine
GamesFirst! is a trademark of GamesFirst! Magazine. All other product, brand and publication names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies. All copyrights are held by GamesFirst! Magazine or their respective owners. Some of the game description text and product names may have been used without permission. No challenge is intended to the status of any trademarks or copyrights, and their use without the appropriate symbols should not be construed as a challenge to such status. GamesFirst! Magazine does not make any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to any information herein. GamesFirst! Magazine disclaims any liability whatsoever for any use of such information.