“Matrix” was a small video gaming publication I wrote, edited, designed, and published in Silicon Valley from 1993 through 1996 or so.

Despite its modest size and local distribution, the first issues of Matrix were offset printed, not photocopied.

Each of the first three issues was offset printed in a different color: black then blue then green.

Matrix #4 and #5 were printed on tabloid newsprint by the same Silicon Valley printing company that printed “Metro”. The new printing process was more economical, allowing circulation to reach about 5,000.

Matrix was always free, but Issue #5 carried a bar code as an exploratory step toward possible national distribution.

Matrix #10 was an all-Sega Saturn special issue called “Planet 6”. It was photocopied rather than printed, but it was nonetheless a labor of love.

Steve MacIntyre made the logo, Scott Heckenlively painted the cover illustration, and I designed the pages and wrote the content.

See Also: Hybrid Monthly