PC Zone Magazine – Christmas 2005 – Issue 162 – Call of Duty 2

Original UK PC Zone Magazine, Christmas 2005, Issue 162, featuring Call of Duty 2, Quake 4, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Civilization IV, The Movies, Football Manager 2006 and many more classic PC games.

A collectable original edition of Britain's popular PC gaming magazine, published by Future Publishing during one of the most memorable periods in computer gaming history.

This special Christmas 2005 edition is advertised as the magazine's "Biggest Review Issue Ever!", featuring extensive coverage of major PC releases, forthcoming games, industry developments, hardware and gaming culture.

The magazine has a dramatic Call of Duty 2 front cover and contains numerous contemporary reviews and features documenting the PC gaming industry at the end of 2005.

IMPORTANT: This listing is for the original printed magazine only. Any original cover-mounted discs, free books, software, promotional gifts or other additional items are no longer included.

Magazine Information

• Publication: PC Zone

• Issue: 162

• Publication Date: Christmas 2005

• Publisher: Future Publishing

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Original Cover Price: £5.99

• Format: Printed PC gaming magazine

• Genre: PC Games, Gaming Reviews, Technology and Computing

• Condition: Pre-owned, with signs of previous handling and storage

• SKU: 1572

Front Cover – Call of Duty 2

The magazine features a dramatic illustrated cover dedicated to Call of Duty 2, the acclaimed Second World War first-person shooter developed by Infinity Ward.

The artwork depicts an American infantry soldier wearing a distinctive net-covered military helmet and a heavy wartime uniform.

The soldier is shown shouting during an intense battlefield sequence, with one arm raised as though directing troops or reacting to enemy fire.

The background shows a war-torn coastal landscape with military equipment, smoke, explosions and soldiers advancing through a heavily contested area.

A large military weapon dominates the lower central section of the cover, reinforcing the cinematic wartime atmosphere.

The main headline reads "Death or Glory! Call of Duty 2", promoting an exclusive review and demo.

The large turquoise PC ZONE masthead contrasts with the grey battlefield imagery.

A yellow banner at the top advertises a free book, while a bright orange circular graphic promotes the magazine's biggest review issue.

Other prominent cover subjects include:

• Quake 4

• Football Manager 2006

• Age of Empires III

• Civilization IV

• The Movies

• World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

• Day of Defeat: Source

• Ragdoll Kung Fu

• X3: Reunion

• MAME Academy

The cover retains its original barcode, Future Publishing logo, Christmas 2005 issue identification and £5.99 cover price.

The overall design is an excellent example of mid-2000s British PC gaming magazine artwork.

Main Feature – Call of Duty 2

Page 48 – Exclusive Review

The magazine's principal feature is an extensive review of Call of Duty 2, the sequel to the original Call of Duty.

Developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, the game became one of the defining Second World War shooters of its generation.

The photographed editorial page features a large battlefield image showing an American soldier in military uniform, with smoke, damaged structures and wartime scenery surrounding him.

The accompanying headline questions whether Infinity Ward could successfully improve upon the original game's reputation.

The game introduced players to large-scale military campaigns involving American, British and Soviet forces.

Its presentation placed particular emphasis on cinematic battlefield action, realistic military environments and squad-based encounters.

The review provides a valuable contemporary perspective on Call of Duty 2 during its original release period.

For collectors of the Call of Duty franchise, this issue captures the series before its later transition towards predominantly modern military settings.

World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

Page 42 – Preview

The magazine includes coverage of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Blizzard Entertainment's first major expansion to its enormously successful MMORPG.

The photographed editorial page features a fantasy environment with an imposing magical portal, stone architecture and decorative statues.

The feature is accompanied by artwork depicting a female Blood Elf character.

The Burning Crusade introduced major additions to the World of Warcraft universe, including the Outland setting and the Blood Elf and Draenei playable races.

At the time of this Christmas 2005 issue, the expansion was still an anticipated forthcoming release.

The article therefore provides an interesting historical look at the expansion before its eventual launch.

This is particularly appealing to collectors of early World of Warcraft publications and Blizzard gaming memorabilia.

Quake 4

Page 56 – Review

The magazine includes a review of Quake 4, the science-fiction first-person shooter developed by Raven Software and published by Activision.

The photographed contents page features an in-game screenshot showing an armoured enemy inside an industrial science-fiction environment.

The player is shown holding a futuristic weapon, with mechanical structures and dark interior scenery surrounding the action.

Quake 4 continued the long-running Quake franchise with a single-player campaign focused on the conflict between human military forces and the Strogg.

The review provides a contemporary assessment of the game's graphics, combat and technical presentation.

An interesting feature for collectors of id Software-related games and classic PC first-person shooters.

The Movies

Page 60 – Review

The magazine contains a substantial review of The Movies, the film studio management simulation developed by Lionhead Studios.

The photographed contents page prominently features the game with a colourful screenshot showing a female character standing beside a large costumed creature.

Other characters and a studio-like environment are visible in the background.

The Movies allowed players to manage a Hollywood film studio, develop actors, produce films and create their own cinematic productions.

The game became particularly notable for its unusual combination of business simulation, character management and filmmaking tools.

This original review is an interesting historical record of one of Lionhead Studios' most distinctive PC releases.

Civilization IV

Page 82 – Review

The magazine includes coverage of Sid Meier's Civilization IV, the influential turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games.

The photographed contents page includes a screenshot showing a developed settlement surrounded by landscape, roads and agricultural terrain.

The image demonstrates the game's distinctive isometric-style presentation and detailed world map.

Civilization IV introduced significant developments to the long-running strategy franchise, including improved diplomacy, religion, technology progression and three-dimensional graphics.

The review captures contemporary reactions to one of the most celebrated strategy games released during 2005.

Football Manager 2006

Page 80 – Review

The magazine includes a review of Football Manager 2006, the football management simulation developed by Sports Interactive.

The game allowed players to manage professional football clubs, develop tactics, negotiate transfers and guide teams through domestic and international competitions.

Football Manager 2006 was part of the hugely successful series that followed Sports Interactive's departure from the Championship Manager brand.

The original review offers an interesting perspective on football management gaming during the mid-2000s.

Day of Defeat: Source

Page 68 – Review

The magazine features coverage of Day of Defeat: Source, Valve's multiplayer Second World War shooter.

Built using Valve's Source engine, the game offered team-based military combat involving Allied and Axis forces.

The front cover promotes the game alongside Ragdoll Kung Fu under a feature highlighting Valve's latest releases.

The review provides contemporary coverage of the Source engine era and the development of multiplayer gaming through Steam.

This is particularly interesting to collectors of Valve games, Half-Life-related technology and classic online shooters.

Ragdoll Kung Fu

Page 66 – Review

The magazine includes a review of Ragdoll Kung Fu, an unusual physics-based fighting game created by Mark Healey.

The game became known for its unconventional character controls and exaggerated martial arts movements.

The review provides an original contemporary assessment of this distinctive independent PC title.

X3: Reunion

Page 74 – Review

The magazine includes a review of X3: Reunion, the space trading and combat simulation developed by Egosoft.

The front cover advertises the game with futuristic spacecraft artwork.

X3: Reunion offered an expansive science-fiction universe featuring space exploration, trading, combat and economic simulation.

The review provides a contemporary perspective on a significant entry in the X series.

Additional PC Gaming Coverage

The photographed contents pages confirm a wide selection of additional features, previews and reviews.

News and Previews

• Page 16 – Splinter Cell 4

• Page 18 – Foley Special Report

• Page 20 – Neverwinter Nights 2

• Page 22 – Hellgate: London

• Page 24 – Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones

• Page 28 – Crashday

• Page 30 – Titan Quest

• Page 36 – UT2007

• Page 42 – World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

These articles provide a fascinating look at the games being developed and promoted during the final months of 2005.

Additional Reviews

• Page 48 – Call of Duty 2

• Page 56 – Quake 4

• Page 60 – The Movies

• Page 66 – Ragdoll Kung Fu

• Page 67 – The Suffering: Ties That Bind

• Page 68 – Day of Defeat: Source

• Page 70 – EverQuest II: Desert of Flames

• Page 71 – Bone: Out of Boneville

• Page 72 – Age of Empires III

• Page 74 – X3: Reunion

• Page 78 – Vietcong 2

• Page 80 – Football Manager 2006

• Page 82 – Civilization IV

• Page 86 – X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse

• Page 87 – Ultimate Spider-Man

• Page 88 – Indie Zone

The review section covers first-person shooters, real-time strategy games, role-playing games, football management, simulation titles and independent releases.

Freeplay – Free Gaming Features

The magazine includes an extensive Freeplay section, promoted in the editor's introduction as offering approximately 174.3 hours of free gaming.

The photographed contents page confirms the following features:

• Page 110 – Demos

• Page 112 – F.E.A.R. Machinima

• Page 113 – Facade Interview

• Page 114 – PC on Your PSP

• Page 116 – Freeware

• Page 118 – Half-Life 2: Lost Coast

• Page 120 – Fight Club

• Page 124 – Abandonware

• Page 126 – How to Get the Most Out of PES5

• Page 129 – How to Make a Game

• Page 130 – MAME Feature

• Page 135 – Neverquest

The photographed contents page includes a reproduction of a Pro Evolution Soccer 5 feature, complete with football screenshots and gaming advice.

The Freeplay section documents the importance of downloadable demos, freeware, modifications and community-created content in the PC gaming scene of 2005.

Please note that these are printed magazine features. Any original software discs or additional items are not included.

MAME Academy – Classic Arcade Gaming

The front cover advertises a feature titled "MAME Academy", exploring the history of the popular arcade machine emulator.

MAME, the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, became an important part of video game preservation by allowing enthusiasts to experience software originally developed for classic arcade machines.

The feature is particularly interesting to collectors of retro gaming publications, arcade history and early video game emulation.

The front cover includes colourful retro arcade-style character artwork accompanying the feature.

Editorial Introduction – Christmas Gifts

The photographed editorial page includes an introduction by PC Zone editor Jamie Sefton, titled "Christmas Gifts".

The article discusses the Christmas gaming season and highlights the extensive selection of reviews and features included in the issue.

The editor mentions major releases including Call of Duty 2, The Movies, Quake 4, Civilization IV, F.E.A.R., Black & White 2 and X3: Reunion.

The introduction also refers to the magazine's accompanying free book, identified as The Ultimate Guide to PC Gaming 2006.

The page includes a portrait photograph of the editor and a printed signature.

This editorial provides an interesting snapshot of British gaming culture during the Christmas 2005 period.

Original Back Cover – TOCA Race Driver 3

The back cover features a full-page advertisement for TOCA Race Driver 3, the racing simulation developed by Codemasters.

The advertisement uses dramatic motorsport photography featuring several racing cars competing on a circuit.

A prominent orange and white headline reads "Return to the Thunder".

The artwork features touring-style racing vehicles, including a prominently displayed orange and white race car.

Smaller screenshots show additional racing vehicles and track environments.

The advertisement also includes the Atari branding and promotional information relating to the game.

This is an attractive example of mid-2000s racing game advertising and adds further interest for collectors of Codemasters games and motorsport-related PC gaming publications.

Original Free Book and Cover-Mounted Items – Not Included

IMPORTANT: MAGAZINE ONLY.

The front cover advertises a free book, while the editorial introduction identifies an accompanying publication titled The Ultimate Guide to PC Gaming 2006.

The original free book is no longer included.

Any original CDs, DVDs, demo discs, software, promotional gifts, supplements, vouchers, additional booklets or other detachable items that may originally have accompanied the magazine are also no longer included.

Only the original printed PC Zone magazine shown in the photographs will be supplied.

No playable games, software discs, activation codes or downloadable content are included.

Condition Report – Please Read Carefully

Condition: Pre-owned – generally presentable, with visible signs of previous handling and storage.

This is an original Christmas 2005 gaming magazine and should not be considered new or mint.

Front Cover

The original Call of Duty 2 front cover remains present.

The large PC ZONE masthead, main battlefield artwork, game headlines and publication details are clearly visible.

The cover retains its original turquoise, grey, orange and yellow colour scheme.

Visible imperfections include:

• Light surface scuffs and rubbing.

• Minor handling marks.

• Slight wear along the outer edges.

• Small signs of corner wear.

• Minor bending and curvature.

• Light marks visible under photographic lighting.

• Slight wear around the spine and cover folds.

The main artwork remains clear and visually attractive.

Spine and Binding

The photographed side view shows the magazine retaining its original shape.

The spine appears generally intact, with minor rubbing and handling wear.

There is slight curvature consistent with previous storage and reading.

The photographed pages remain attached and the magazine opens normally.

The magazine has not been individually checked page by page, so absolute completeness cannot be guaranteed.

Interior Pages

The photographed interior pages appear generally clean and readable.

The magazine's contents pages, editorial introduction and illustrations remain clearly printed.

Visible signs of previous handling include:

• Light page-edge wear.

• Minor bending near the centre folds.

• Slight corner curling.

• Occasional small handling marks.

• Light creasing consistent with normal use.

No major tears are apparent in the photographed interior pages.

Back Cover

The original TOCA Race Driver 3 advertisement remains present.

The photographed back cover shows minor surface wear and slight edge rubbing.

There is some light curvature and handling wear.

The main advertisement remains clearly visible and retains its original printed detail.

Overall Condition

A presentable original copy of PC Zone Christmas 2005, Issue 162.

The magazine retains its distinctive Call of Duty 2 front cover, original TOCA Race Driver 3 back cover and the photographed interior editorial pages.

Please study all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

This is a used magazine from 2005, and age-related wear should be expected.

Important – Missing Original Extras

MAGAZINE ONLY – FREE BOOK AND ORIGINAL COVER-MOUNTED ITEMS NOT INCLUDED.

The originally advertised free book is missing.

Any original CDs, DVDs, demo discs, software, promotional gifts, supplements, vouchers or other additional items are also no longer included.

Only the printed magazine pictured is being sold.

Packaging and Postage

UK Orders

The magazine will be carefully packaged and dispatched in a protective hardback envelope to help reduce the risk of bending or damage during transit.

International Orders

International orders will be packaged in a sturdy cardboard mailing-size box for additional protection during shipping.

The photographs show the actual magazine being offered for sale.

Please review all photographs and the condition information before purchasing.

SKU: 1572