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How did All Media Guide (AMG) get started?
AMG started out in 1991 in Big Rapids, MI. Our original mission was to create books to help consumers find the "best" music. But, as our databases grew, we saw they could be powerful tools for online retailers and entertainment destinations. We started licensing the All Music Guide in 1993. In 1994, we added the All Movie Guide. Our award-winning websites started in 1995 and helped us find even more licensing customers. In 1998 we created the All Game Guide to address that growing market. In order to accommodate the growth of our business, we moved to Ann Arbor, MI in 1999. Since then, our staff has tripled in size.
What exactly does AMG do?
AMG licenses our entertainment content databases and technologies to a number of clients. We also maintain our websites, continue to produce new editions of our successful music guide series with Backbeat Books, and, in conjunction with Medalist Entertainment, we recently released the first group of CDs enhanced by our content.
What are some of things AMG does not do?
Below are three examples of common questions where AMG cannot help users.
I love the song "Kiss Me Deadly" - can you get me the lyrics?
No, AMG does not provide lyrics to any songs.
Can I send fan mail to my favorite artist through AMG?
No, fan mail/e-mail that we receive does not get forwarded on to performers. We recommend sending fan mail/e-mail to the address listed on a performer's official website or fan sites.
Can AMG put me in touch with someone's manager, booking agent, production company, etc.?
No, we don't compile this type of information.
I'd like to work at AMG, is this possible?
We are always on the lookout for talented people; you can learn more about working at AMG by viewing our job listings.
How big is the editorial staff of AMG?
We have a very dedicated, substantial group of full-time editors; their duties include writing reviews, biographies, and editing submissions made by the hundreds of expert freelancers who regularly contribute to AMG.
Why can't I buy the CD/DVD/Video Game I am interested in purchasing?
A music or movie release is available for purchase when it's marked with a Barnes & Noble logo or red buy button. A game is available from Gamestop when it's marked with a purple buy button. If there is no such logo or button present, the release is not available through AMG.
Our relationship with CDNOW expired near the end of 2002. We are now using Barnes and Noble for music and movie sales.
I'm having trouble purchasing a product listed on one of your websites; can you help me out?
Products that are available for purchase on AMG websites are not being purchased from AMG -- they are being purchased directly from our retail partners. AMG cannot assist you with purchases. Here is the customer service contact information for our retail partners:Barnes and Noble.com Customer Service:
Phone: 1-800-THE-BOOK (1-800-843-2665)
International Phone: 201-272-3651
Or online
Allposters.com Customer Service:
Phone: 888-654-0143
Email: orders@allposters.com
Musicnotes.com Customer Service:
Phone: 800-944-4667
Email: service@musicnotes.com
Gamestop.com Customer Service:
Phone: 1-817-424-2200
Email: orders@gamestop.com
I'd like to advertise on your web sites; can this be done?
AMG is currently taking a sabbatical from the online advertising game. We may return to it in the future. At this time, we are not accepting advertising.
How many games are in your database?
At the time of this writing there are over 31,000 games, but that number increases on a weekly basis.
How do your ratings work?
A full explanation of the All Game Guide rating scale can be seen here.
How do I send you a correction or addition to your database?
Corrections or additions to the All Game Guide should be sent to gameseditor@allgame.com. Please include sufficient details so we can verify your submission. If in doubt as to how much detail to include, more is usually better.
What games do you cover?
The All Game Guide covers all console and handheld games released in the United States. Similarly, we cover many arcade games, particularly those released in home versions. We cover most PC games released in the United States, including some downloadable games.
How do you decide what PC games to cover?
Our goal is to cover all PC games you would commonly find offered by major retailers. While we have little difficulty obtaining information on high-profile PC releases, a good bit of bargain software shows up in discount bins and therefore it is difficult for us to obtain information for those kinds of games. We will always include any type of software that has an ESRB rating.
Do you cover games for Palm and Pocket PC devices?
Yes. As far as we know, we were the first site to attempt to comprehensively cover commercially available games of this type.
Do you cover online games?
Yes, we cover subscription-based, persistent world games that have an ESRB rating.
What is the scope of subjects covered in your database?
We include all types of subjects, from religious-oriented games to games that are exclusively for adults. Adult products are identified by their ESRB rating, where available, and by their genre and style classification.
Do you cover people, companies, and game characters?
Yes, although our coverage in this area is secondary to coverage of the games themselves. We have some biographical or similar data on over 19,000 people, companies, and game characters.
What types of data do you collect on each game?
There are ten basic formal data elements for each game. In addition to these basic data elements, we also collect a wide range of other data about each game. The ten basic formal data elements are:
Title
Release date
Country
Publisher
Developer
Platform
Genre
Style
Number of players
ESRB rating (if any)
How do you decide which games get written descriptions?
While our long-term goal is to have a written description for every entry, the reality of producing a database is that we must prioritize. Our first priority is console games, followed by major PC games. After that we try to cover anything not previously mentioned that is currently available. When time and information permits, we try to cover older, out of print games.
How do you decide which games get written reviews?
Pretty much the same way we do the descriptions, but since 2001 we have combined the review into the description. Prior to that point, some games recevied both a review and a description.
Who writes your descriptions and reviews?
Some of our descriptions and reviews are written by the All Game Guide's full-time editorial staff,but most are written for us by off-site freelancers.
Why are some descriptions and reviews credited to the All Game Guide?
Usually we use this to denote brief, informational writing, but on longer pieces it may indicate that multiple editors contributed to the work. Also, there are some older entries in the database where we have no record of the author.
Do you offer Cheats and Codes, or help with solving the specifics of a game?
No. Even though we built a place to store cheats and codes into our website, we have not yet developed this feature.
What are the ESRB ratings?
Please be advised that the ESRB rating icons, "EC", "K-A", "E", "T", "M", "AO" and "RP" are copyrighted works and certification marks owned by the Interactive Digital Software Association and the Entertainment Software Rating Board and may only be used with their permission and authority. Under no circumstances may the rating icons be self-applied or used in connection with any product that has not been rated by the ESRB. For information regarding whether a product has been rated by the ESRB, please call the ESRB at 1-800-771-3772 or visit www.esrb.org. For information regarding licensing issues, please call the IDSA at (212)223-8936.
