A Subscriber Bonus that wouldn't make everyone mad


Dungeon Magazine General Discussion

Liberty's Edge

Hi all.

I recently moved, and as part of my move I've just been reorganizing my bookshelves. To make a long story short, I've had what I think is a good idea.

First of all, we all know that Paizo is best off when people subscribe to the magazine. While the cost of mailing may be higher than bulk distribution, they can count on those "purchases", and it helps increase ad revenue, etc. They've got a lot of good reasons to want subscribers over "off-the-shelf buyers".

At one point, paizo tried to offer a "subscriber-only" adventure. I was very upset. At that point I always bought Dungeon from my Friendly Local Game Store. They're not in business anymore, so I'm a subscriber. The real problem was they were offering "content" to subscribers that others couldn't get. That was why it was a bad idea. Everyone buys the magazine for the content. Losing an adventure for not subscribing really felt like an unfair loss.

But, if the subscriber only bonus doesn't involve the loss of content, but instead a bonus, I really doubt many people would complain.

So, here is my proposal.

Every month, Dungeon prints a full page ad for Dungeon magazine. The ad is printed on a reprint of the current issues cover, providing all the information about ordering back issues, etc. In the issue for subscribers, however, there is no text printed over the cover art. Instead of an ad for back issues (which is silly, since we have all the issues since our subscription started) we have some nice "text-free" art, and it doesn't involve adding anything to the magazine. I know that if I were not a subscriber I would consider that a "fair" bonus for subscribers, and it might actually be enough incentive for me to subscribe without feeling like I'm really missing out on anything if I don't.

So, there's my idea. I'd be pleased if the good folks at Paizo can use it.


What?! That makes me mad!

Well, actually I'm mad because I just spent a week on jury duty and didn't get to execute anyone. Damn liberal traffic laws! So, now I get to do a lot of catch up reading, and hey, everyone expects me to be mad anyway.

ASEO out


Two words -- clock radio!

or wait... how about a phone that looks like a football?

: ) rob

Scarab Sages

Robert Head wrote:

Two words -- clock radio!

or wait... how about a phone that looks like a football?

: ) rob

How about a walkman shaped like a rust monster? The antennae can be the earpieces...


Gavgoyle wrote:
How about a walkman shaped like a rust monster? The antennae can be the earpieces...

God, I just realized that I sank really deep: I think I might like this. ;-)

Bocklin


Robert Head wrote:

Two words -- clock radio!

or wait... how about a phone that looks like a football?
: ) rob

Ooh, ooh! Maybe a handy *travel* clock radio!


DeadDMWalking wrote:
...Instead of an ad for back issues (which is silly, since we have all the issues since our subscription started) we have some nice "text-free" art, and it doesn't involve adding anything to the magazine....

I suspect that having two separate print-runs of the same magazine, just for one page, wouldn't be financially feasible.


Laeknir wrote:
DeadDMWalking wrote:
...Instead of an ad for back issues (which is silly, since we have all the issues since our subscription started) we have some nice "text-free" art, and it doesn't involve adding anything to the magazine....
I suspect that having two separate print-runs of the same magazine, just for one page, wouldn't be financially feasible.

I've got it! A laser-etched toaster proclaiming the awesomeness of Dungeon!

WaterdhavianFlapjack

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Laeknir wrote:
I suspect that having two separate print-runs of the same magazine, just for one page, wouldn't be financially feasible.

You have hit the nail on the head there.

-Vic.
.


People people people. . .

Swimsuit issue. Need I say more?


Chris Wissel - WerePlatypus wrote:
Swimsuit issue. Need I say more?

Would "Chainmail Bikini Issue" be more appropriate?


I want a Championship DVD to "Relive the Magic".


Here's an idea. Give us some cool insert and don't tell those other saps! It's like these kids with big mouths ruining it for everybody AND their Hot Teachers ;)Keep it on the down low and no one will be the wiser.

Liberty's Edge

I thought that having a different page in the production of the magazine might increase costs, but I wasn't sure. I mean, they did run an entire multiple page section for a while as a bonus. So, it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

In addition, the layout costs shouldn't be more since they're using the same background, they'd just have to overlay text for the non-subscriber version.

If I were to refine my idea, however, it would be to offer the previous month's (or two months ago) cover in that manner. Thus, it would actually depict a back issue, and if a customer really liked a cover they'd subscribe immediately to make sure they had a text free version of it.

Still, if it doesn't work, well, so be it. Still, I think providing an incentive to subscribe is a good idea, without decreasing the value of the magazine for a "casual" or "local game store" buyer.


Free Kyuss worms for all subscribers!!!

I have a bunch of those Cheetos that turn your tongue green that I've been licking to turn them green and slightly soggy. I plan on throwing a hand full of them at the first player to come in contact with the worms...

ASEO out

Liberty's Edge

ASEO wrote:

Free Kyuss worms for all subscribers!!!

I have a bunch of those Cheetos that turn your tongue green that I've been licking to turn them green and slightly soggy. I plan on throwing a hand full of them at the first player to come in contact with the worms...

ASEO out

LOL!!! I hate Cheetos so I'll have to put the kids to work making me some worms. That's a great-funny idea, ASEO.


ASEO wrote:

Free Kyuss worms for all subscribers!!!

I have a bunch of those Cheetos that turn your tongue green that I've been licking to turn them green and slightly soggy. I plan on throwing a hand full of them at the first player to come in contact with the worms...

ASEO out

Great idea!

Something to hope for in the paizo store:

Plush Kyuss worms for the Holidays!

M

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Access to a PDF copy of the issue from the Piazo site?


....... I may be naive, but I think were getinn a bit off topic here, lol. Did you have to mention the worms right after I ate my spaggeti diner, just my 2 cents.


A CD of the year's issues, searchable, PDF. Avaiable for free for suscribers, a nominal charge for non-suscribers.

:-D

Liberty's Edge

how about a slipcase for the year's magazines?


David Walls wrote:
how about a slipcase for the year's magazines?

This is the one I would like to see.


I'll third that one!

RatPunk wrote:
David Walls wrote:
how about a slipcase for the year's magazines?
This is the one I would like to see.

Liberty's Edge

Absolutely!! I remember when I was a teen Dragon sold slipcases (so did Twilight Zone, National Geographic, Weird Tales, et al); I just googled slipcases and actually didn't find much useful: TO THE MARKETING MANAGER--I ACTUALLY REALLY NEED SLIPCASES FOR MY DUNGEON AND DRAGON MAGAZINES; I WILL PAY BIG BUCKS FOR THIS; PLEASE BRING THE SLIPCASES BACK. I think the old cases held ten magazines (as opposed to 12; but then Dungeon used to be a bimonthly)...anyway, I'd buy a caseload in a heartbeat!! If anyone else out there agrees, please keep up this thread so the company takes notice...


Yep. I'll put my vote in for slipcases.
Just don't forget the ones for Dragon, too.


In addition to the slipcase, how about an index of all articles for the year?


When my dad subscribed to National Geographic (bless his heart), we also got a bonus "map" slipcase. You had to order the map slipcase separately, but you got one free with your subscription.

Methinks this idea has merit.


Dice Munkey wrote:
Access to a PDF copy of the issue from the Piazo site?

The problem with PDF of up-to-date material files is obvious. With the wide range of file sharing programs out there, the PDFs of the recent issues would be available for free download, thus making it that even more people don't bother to buy Dragon or Dungeon.

That's my opinion.


ASEO wrote:

Free Kyuss worms for all subscribers!!!

I have a bunch of those Cheetos that turn your tongue green that I've been licking to turn them green and slightly soggy. I plan on throwing a hand full of them at the first player to come in contact with the worms...

ASEO out

You giggle, but I did something like this in our first meeting with the Kyuss Spawn. I bought some fishing lure plastic green worms, and had a handful in my pocket. When the time came, I tossed the handful at the player whose character had been hit with the worms. It was effective. The shock value was well worth the price of the worms.

I have used the worms to make some "large Kyuss worms" and also used Green Stuff to make several bases of Kyuss Worm Swarms.

Scarab Sages

Pathfinder Adventure Subscriber

I'd love the PDF version of the magazine. I'd be willing to pay extra for it, in fact, even if it weren't a "bonus."


Slipcovers... *drooooooool* - worthy.


My suggestion to Paizo was to reanimate the Dragon Annual magazines.

Rather than fill them with new material, use these revived annuals to reprint the new feats, spells, magic items, monsters, and prestige classes that were printed in the pages of Dragon (and Dungeon) over the course of the year.

Non-subscribers would have access to the same information by buying the issues, while subscribers would have it in a more concise format that would be easier to bring to a gaming session.

If that is unfeasible for economic reasons, then slipcovers and indexes would be a worthy alternative


Andrew Turner wrote:
TO THE MARKETING MANAGER--I ACTUALLY REALLY NEED SLIPCASES FOR MY DUNGEON AND DRAGON MAGAZINES; I WILL PAY BIG BUCKS FOR THIS; PLEASE BRING THE SLIPCASES BACK....If anyone else out there agrees, please keep up this thread so the company takes notice...

I have nothing further to add to this thread other than my very enthusiastic affirmative vote. Yearly slipcovers with an index (that includes Dungeoncraft et al as well as adventures) is a simply wonderful idea. I don't even care if it is made available as a subscriber bonus or for sale to all... I just want them!

Cheers
Llowellen


How about a novelty telephone shaped like the end boss of the next Adventure Path? You could unplug it to avoid being interrupted during the final important scene, while at the same time using it as a miniature!

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