The 300th issue of Dragon will hit the newsstands in the middle of September this year, marking a milestone for the successful gaming magazine published by Paizo Publishing™, LLC. The periodical, the first issue of which was published in 1976 by TSR Hobbies, Inc., provides the best in creative source materials for Dungeons & Dragons players and Dungeon Masters.
“Gaming enthusiasts can look forward to the same high-quality production in issue 300 that they have come to expect of Dragon,” said Johnny Wilson, Publisher and President of Paizo. “And they will find something new and different in the pages of this issue.”
A special sealed section will premiere in the magazine, containing edgy, mature content for fans of Dungeons & Dragons. The material in the sealed section complements the new publication by Wizards of the Coast™, the Book of Vile Darkness, the gaming company’s first product in a line for mature players. Dragon magazine will present new vile material that will work on its own, or with the Book of Vile Darkness.
Dungeon Adventures®, also published by Paizo, will feature a sealed section that complements The Book of Vile Darkness in their upcoming Issue 95, due on news stands in October.
“The sealed section in Dungeon will take new spells, monsters, and prestige classes from The Book of Vile Darkness and put it in the context of a feature adventure,” said Editor Chris Thomasson. “We’ll introduce a new vile monster, too. Like the material in Dragon, the adventure can be used with or without the book.”
“The sealed sections of the magazines are a good way to present a broad spectrum of ideas and material for gamers while still respecting different sensibilities,” said Jesse Decker, Editor-in-Chief of Dragon Magazine. “We can tackle interesting, fresh topics, yet let parents know that we are sensitive to their concerns.”
The Book of Vile Darkness will be on sale in October. Players and Dungeon Masters will find resource materials on topics that have historically been taboo in printed Dungeons & Dragons products.
“These elements are in many campaigns already, but this is the first time they will be in print,” said Thomasson.
“What it all comes down to is that players have a lot of choice and control over how they play Dungeons & Dragons,” said Decker. “They may include any of these elements in their game, or not, as they choose.”
There is fresh interest in the game Dungeons & Dragons from people who enjoy all types of play, and a new interest in participating in the gaming industry. It’s no surprise that sales numbers are up for Paizo’s publications. Decker claims there’s never been a more interesting time in the gaming field.
Is it time to sit back and enjoy continuing success?
“We can take a second to pat ourselves on the back,” said Decker, “but then it’s time to pick up the pen and start on the next issue.”
Dragon and Dungeon/Polyhedron magazines will continue to produce quality content that supports Dungeons & Dragons. Players can expect an enduring forum for their favorite game, and innovative, official content.
Paizo Publishing™ LLC is the publisher of Dragon®, Dungeon Adventures®, and Polyhedron® magazines under license from Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Paizo directs the Official Star Wars Fan Club™ and publishes Star Wars Insider™ magazine under license from Lucasfilm, Ltd. Headed by fans for fans, Paizo looks to add new aspects of fun and innovation to the industry, while maintaining and improving on their high quality standards of excellence in content.
Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), is the worldwide market share leader in the trading card game and tabletop roleplaying game categories. A leading developer and publisher of game-based entertainment products, the company holds an exclusive patent on the method of playing trading card games (TCGs) and produces the world’s best-selling Pokémon® and Magic: The Gathering® TCGs. Wizards of the Coast is also one of the world’s premier book publishers of fantasy series fiction.
Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the leading film and entertainment companies in the world. Lucasfilm’s businesses include George Lucas’ film and television production and distribution activities. Lucasfilm’s feature films have won 19 Oscars and received 52 Academy Award nominations, and its television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards.
Star Wars © 2002 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ® or ™ where indicated. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
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Wizards of the Coast, Magic: The Gathering, Magic, Dungeons & Dragons, Showdown and all character names and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro Inc. ©2002 Wizards.
