In a move not entirely in keeping with the minimal public profile cultivated and maintained by this website over the course of the last twenty years, eschewing all media interest in favour of focusing all our energies on keeping our seven readers happy, we recently received – and accepted – a very kind invitation to a swanky London event in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the launch of PC Zone magazine.

With Stoo meeting with investors and shareholders in the States, it was left to myself and Jo to represent Team FFG, and we departed with strict (self-issued) instructions not to do anything to disgrace ourselves or the brand by, for example, consuming too much alcohol and accosting total strangers enjoying their work reunion in order to tell them that we recognised them on the basis of old ‘Meet the Team’ pictures and really enjoyed their review of some long-forgotten game many years ago. (Okay, maybe we did a little bit of that…)

Despite some truly awful weather that left us regretting our decision not to risk losing cool points by wearing geeky waterproof coats (we lost them anyway by arriving in a dripping, rain-sodden state) it appeared to be a successful and well-attended event, with recognisable faces from across the various generations of Zone all making an appearance.

Everyone that we spoke to was very friendly and accommodating of us two non-Zone interlopers, but in particular we’d like to take the opportunity to thank Jamie Sefton, who made us feel very welcome (and let us keep a poster as a souvenir) and Richie Shoemaker, who extended the invitation in the first place and made some time to talk on what must have been a very busy evening for him.

As regular readers will know, the FFG editorial board prohibits the posting of photographs featuring any of the site’s writers, so we must unfortunately disappoint anyone expecting to see pictures of us meeting Charlie Brooker (who we definitely did speak to, rather than just stand slightly awkwardly nearby for a while – and don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise).

However, Richie has posted a few snaps on the PC Zone Lives Substack (the new home of the podcast, which is back after a bit of a hiatus with a couple of cracking episodes – including a wonderful chat with Vici MacDonald, who talked about her time working on PC Zone as a designer, and also about her late brother Duncan, aka Mr Cursor – as well as a new, semi-regular newsletter).

Thanks again to Richie, Jamie, and all involved in organising the event.

(Also: [*pantomime barracking voice*] fuck PC Gamer!)