Atari User

Atari User was a British computer magazine aimed at users of Atari home computers, and published by Database Publications (later known as Europress) between 1985 and 1988.

This article is about the original Atari User. For "New Atari User" magazine, see Page 6. For Atari User's ST-based spin-off, see Atari ST User.
Atari User
Cover of the December 1986 issue. It contains the Atari ST User supplement (see top right).
CategoriesComputer magazine
PublisherDatabase Publications
First issue1985
Final issue1988
CountryUnited Kingdom

Atari User was a general-interest computer magazine, containing games reviews as well as type-in programs, tutorials and hardware projects. As with Database's other publications, its appearance was somewhat conservative in comparison with its more games-oriented contemporaries, such as Computer and Video Games (C&VG). The editorial style was equally restrained and relatively formal. Andre Willey was one of the early editors of this magazine after being promoted from Technical Editor.

History

Early editions primarily focused on the Atari 8-bit family (400/800/XL/XE) and the newly launched Atari ST range (although they included news of other Atari products such as the relaunched Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 consoles). As the popularity of the ST increased, it was given its own pull-out section called "Atari ST User". From the April 1987 issue onward, Atari ST User was spun off as a magazine in its own right and went on to outlive its parent by a number of years.

After the split, Atari User was almost entirely oriented towards the 8-bit computers. Until late 1987, when Page 6 magazine became available on newsstands, Atari User was the only British magazine with dedicated (or even significant) support for the 8-bit Atari line to be sold in shops.

Following publication of the final issue in November 1988, Database sold the 'Atari User' name (but not 'Atari ST User') to the publishers of Page 6 magazine, an independent rival.[1] Page 6 was briefly renamed Page 6 Atari User, [2] before settling on New Atari User.[3] Despite the name, New Atari User was to all intents and purposes the same magazine as Page 6; it had virtually no editorial continuity with the old Atari User.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Stop Press". Page 6 (35): 5. December 1988. Literally in the last couple of days before this issue went to press PAGE 6 completed discussions with Database Publications which resulted in an agreement for PAGE 6 to take over the Atari User title
  2. Les Ellingham (February 1989). "Ringing the Changes? (Editorial)". Page 6 (36). This issue I have to welcome a lot of new readers to PAGE 6 ATARI USER
  3. Les Ellingham (June 1989). "For Better or Worse". New Atari User (38). So here we have the first issue of NEW ATARI USER or rather the 38th issue of PAGE 6! [..] those who have been with us a long while can still call us PAGE 6 [..] nothing's changed except the name on the front cover.
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