March
- Future Publishing buys the Italian market-leading publisher of computer and videogames magazines, Il Mio Castello Editore (Milan).
April
- A new German operation is set up, Future Verlag, based in Munich.
June
- Future Publishing acquires Imagine Media (formerly GP Publications – which was developed and renamed by Chris Anderson), the fastest-growing magazine publisher in the US. This move establishes Future as the market-leader in PC games and PlayStation magazines throughout Europe and North America.
- Future floats on the London Stock Exchange. The new plc is called The Future Network plc (symbol: FNET) and encompasses Future Publishing (UK), Edicorp Publications (France), Il Mio Castello Editore (Italy), Future Verlag (Germany), Imagine Media (US) and FutureNet (Online).
May
- Pearson completes the sale of Future Publishing and Edicorp to a company buyout backed by venture capitalists Apax Partners. The deal, which sees MD Greg Ingham appointed Chief Executive, also has the crucial backing of the company’s original founder, Chris Anderson, who returns as non-executive Chairman. Future’s French sister company, Edicorp, goes on a growth spree by launching four magazines in the space of two months.
February
- Future broadens its remit and launches Total Film. The title, which covers ‘full-on movie action’, sells over 90,000 copies of its first issue.
June
- Paris-based Edicorp launch the French edition of PC Gamer, and baptise it PC Jeux.
September
- Future acquires Music Maker Publications. The acquisition comprises Guitarist, Guitar Techniques, The Mix, Rhythm, Bassist, Hip Hop Connection and Keyboard Review, the RAMP Directory and MusiciansNet as well as the London Music Fair and the National Guitar Show. T3: Tomorrow’s Technology Today is launched.
November
- Future takes over Aspen Litharne, inheriting a number of new craft titles. These include Cake Decoration, Cross Stitch, Needlework, Machine Knitting News and Sew Today.
May
- A small advertising sales office opens in London – the first team to move to the new office is the PC Plus sales team.
June
- Future celebrates its tenth birthday and breaks into a new market with the launch of SFX. This is the first glossy magazine to be dedicated to Science Fiction.
September
- Pearson plc acquires Future. Pearson’s goal is to build a European publishing business in the consumer magazine and video markets, concentrating on products for 15-35 year-old males, “boys of all ages”. Future founder, Chris Anderson, leaves Future and focuses on the development of the recently acquired GP Publications which he relocates to San Francisco and renames Imagine Media.
1993
- Licensed from the Channel 4 TV programme, multi-format magazine GamesMaster hits the shelves. The title goes on to become the UK’s longest running games magazine.
- A book division is launched with the publication of ‘Get the Most Out of Your Amiga’ and a number of other leisure-orientated computer books. Turnover for the fiscal year 92/93 is £41.8m.
- Summer sees ICC’s Business Ratio Report name Future as the fastest-growing publisher in Britain over the previous 3 years. Future acquires Sega Zone and Game Zone from Dennis Publishing.
- Then in August we launch the interactive entertainment industry bible, Edge. The magazine wins ‘Industry Magazine of The Year’ after just four issues. PC Gamer also launches at this time.
- Future makes a dash across the Atlantic to buy GP Publications, a small US publishing company with 4 titles: CD-ROM Today, Computer Entertainment News (trade title), Game Players and PC Entertainment.
1992
- 1992 kicks off with two further launches outside the computer market, Cycling Plus and Photo Plus.
- The enthusiastic reception to these titles serves notice that Future is capable of competing successfully with the best publishers in the land.
- They are followed in the spring by two quarterlies: Today’s Vegetarian and the still successful Cross-Stitch Collection.
1991
- Twelve hectic months see the launches of Needlecraft, Amiga Power, Amiga Shopper, PC Answers, PC Format, Public Domain and Total!.
- The company also makes its second acquisition – Mountain Biking UK – and announces its first step into exhibitions with the World of Commodore show.
1990
- The dawn of the 1990s sees Future trebling its Bath office space. The process of filling up the building begins immediately with the purchase of Your Sinclair, Britain’s leading Spectrum magazine from Dennis Publishing.
- In the spring of 1990, Future launches an innovative classical music publication complete with secret weapon: a full length audio CD cover-mounted to each issue. Classic CD’s highly successful launch generates record subscription levels and raises Future’s profile outside the computing industry.
- Later in 1990 Commodore Format arrives, putting Future into the position of having a magazine dedicated to every major home computer.
