I'm pist! I just flipped through it and almost the whole thing was 4E stuff. Get real, guys! If I wanted a 4E magazine I would have gotten Goodman Games' magazine "Level Up".
http://www.goodmangames.com/9101preview.html
There was just way too much 4e stuff. Sure I could have just read the non-mechanic stuff but after you take out the stat block that is only a few paragraphs worth of stuff (like in the dinosaur article where there was like three paragraphs and then the rest was stats).
That is my last issue. Thanks for the earlier ones.
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I'm pist! I just flipped through it and almost the whole thing was 4E stuff. Get real, guys! If I wanted a 4E magazine I would have gotten Goodman Games' magazine "Level Up".
http://www.goodmangames.com/9101preview.htmlThere was just way too much 4e stuff. Sure I could have just read the non-mechanic stuff but after you take out the stat block that is only a few paragraphs worth of stuff (like in the dinosaur article where there was like three paragraphs and then the rest was stats).
That is my last issue. Thanks for the earlier ones.
Dude its not all 4E. Calm down. Many people {not me} play 4E and to survive this magazine needs to draw in as many people as it can. Pathfinder 3E or $E.
I'm pist! I just flipped through it and almost the whole thing was 4E stuff. Get real, guys! If I wanted a 4E magazine I would have gotten Goodman Games' magazine "Level Up".
http://www.goodmangames.com/9101preview.htmlThere was just way too much 4e stuff. Sure I could have just read the non-mechanic stuff but after you take out the stat block that is only a few paragraphs worth of stuff (like in the dinosaur article where there was like three paragraphs and then the rest was stats).
That is my last issue. Thanks for the earlier ones.
Are we looking at the same zine? I count 4 pages of 4e stat blocks, not 14. Several of the stat blocs seem to borrow organization from 4e stat blocks, probably to aid conversion (examples: Skin Bat bloc on page 22 or the Dinosaur article starting on page 37 ) but those are in fact 3.X stat blocs. Note the lack of bloodied conditions, rules for HD advancement or presence of (ex) or (su) special abilities.
The only explicitly 4e content I can see is the Maenad stat block on page 31 (a page that also contains 3.X rule variants for that race), the Kitsune article (4 pages, 2 pages containing 4e stat blocks) and the chasing the grave article (2 pages, 1 page contains 2 small 4e stat blocks/disease tables).
To be fair you are entitled to your opinion, but your review and complaint do not accurately represent the 4e content within KQ 9. To be frank, I find your complaint unwarranted.
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Also a proper place to complain would be here
There’s a quick review of the new issue over on ENWorld. I think it is especially on track with this key quote:
[Monte Cook's column and the interviews] especially help cement KQ’s position as a gaming magazine, rather than an OGL or 4E publication.
We are working to make Kobold Quarterly as broadly useful to all D&D gamers as possible. Rumor has it reader feedback is actually read and acted upon.
"What a roleplaying magazine should be."
Ed Greenwood
So I don't know what smoke your craken but leave it at home.
All I'm saying is $8 is a bit much for half a magazine.
Yeah, 14 1/2 pages. Add in the articles that focus on those 4e parts and you got half the magazine already.
Look, if you want a 4e magazine get Level Up from Goodman Games. The whole thing is 4e and you dont have to worry about converting half (or any) of the magazine.
Easy. Simple. And no conversion necessary.
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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All I'm saying is $8 is a bit much for half a magazine.
Yeah, 14 1/2 pages. Add in the articles that focus on those 4e parts and you got half the magazine already.Look, if you want a 4e magazine get Level Up from Goodman Games. The whole thing is 4e and you dont have to worry about converting half (or any) of the magazine.
Easy. Simple. And no conversion necessary.
As ever, you're entitled to your opinion.
But your math is simply incorrect.
At 64 pages long, 14 1/2 pages of 4e content isn't "half of the magazine."
Kobold Quarterly #9 is broken down 50% 3e, 25% 4e, and 25% edition neutral content.
All I'm saying is $8 is a bit much for half a magazine.
Yeah, 14 1/2 pages. Add in the articles that focus on those 4e parts and you got half the magazine already.Look, if you want a 4e magazine get Level Up from Goodman Games. The whole thing is 4e and you dont have to worry about converting half (or any) of the magazine.
Easy. Simple. And no conversion necessary.
As ever, you're entitled to your opinion.
But your math is simply incorrect.
At 64 pages long, 14 1/2 pages of 4e content isn't "half of the magazine."
Kobold Quarterly #9 is broken down 50% 3e, 25% 4e, and 25% edition neutral content.
Then I only got ripped off $2.
Gee, thanks.
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Kobold Press
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I suspect that as KQ continues to shed readers like Charlie, the balance will tilt further in favor of Pathfinder and 4E.
Them's the breaks. Some readers will find any amount of 4E intolerable, and that's their right. As the publisher, though, I'm not willing to cater to the most dogmatic elements of the hobby.
Is there a mag that does just that?
http://www.goodmangames.com/9101preview.html
I suspect that as KQ continues to shed readers like Charlie, the balance will tilt further in favor of Pathfinder and 4E.
Them's the breaks. Some readers will find any amount of 4E intolerable, and that's their right. As the publisher, though, I'm not willing to cater to the most dogmatic elements of the hobby.
It's simple math, Mr. Baur.
If I played 4E why would I want to pay full price for half a magazine when there are actually two alternatives that provide exclusive 4E. The e-zine Dragon (edit: And Dungeon) and the dead tree Level Up.If I didnt play 4E why would I want to buy any product for it. My alternatives there are the plethora pathfinder stuff (3.5 or 3.p , either works).
Now only if I happened to play both would I want a magazine that covered both. I also do not play D&D:Online, AD&D, AD&D2, D&DCMG, or Chainmail. So I wont be purchasing things for those games either.
I buy KQ for the quality of the writing and the ideas (same as Pathfinder, actually). I don't really care which system an article's for, as the chances are that it won't be the one I'll end up using it in. System neutral articles are great, but sometimes you can't really "get" an idea unless there are mechanics to explain it, and I can often take ideas from those mechanics too.
Looking forward to reading Monte's column, and the dinosaurs!
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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*feh*
We have what? a 4e kitsune, 4e drugs, and 4e stats for the Maenad (and a confused Matthew who thought we were getting an article on male medusae)
the kitsune shows up on the webpage as a 3x critter, and I don't think the Maenad need pathfinder stats, but even the drugs are useful.
I'm not *happy* about the 4x content, but it doesn't offend me. The fluff I can use.
Again, if you want to see 3x artilcles, write 3x articles.
I'm not *happy* about the 4x content, but it doesn't offend me. The fluff I can use.Again, if you want to see 3x artilcles, write 3x articles.
That's about where I am.
And I think the idea of writing a good one. Lets see which crowd is more consistent in submitting articles.
I don't own a 4e PHB/DMG/MM, so all Wolfgang get's from me are 3.x queries.
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Kobold Press
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Darkjoy, Wicht, and Matthew, I look forward to your queries for 3E!
linkie for submission guidelines
Having more 3E articles to choose from when pulling together the next issue definitely puts the magazine in a better position for maximum 3E support. As always, we can only print what people actually submit.
Darkjoy, Wicht, and Matthew, I look forward to your queries for 3E!
LOL, check your email.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Darkjoy, Wicht, and Matthew, I look forward to your queries for 3E!
linkie for submission guidelines
Having more 3E articles to choose from when pulling together the next issue definitely puts the magazine in a better position for maximum 3E support. As always, we can only print what people actually submit.
Me and my big frakking mouth...
Ok, give me time. There's a reason I wrote Why we write after all.
It's simple math, Mr. Baur.
If I played 4E why would I want to pay full price for half a magazine when there are actually two alternatives that provide exclusive 4E. The e-zine Dragon (edit: And Dungeon) and the dead tree Level Up.
If I didnt play 4E why would I want to buy any product for it. My alternatives there are the plethora pathfinder stuff (3.5 or 3.p , either works).
Now only if I happened to play both would I want a magazine that covered both. I also do not play D&D:Online, AD&D, AD&D2, D&DCMG, or Chainmail. So I wont be purchasing things for those games either.
Ok, but the point you're missing is that Kobold Quarterly is a *gaming* magazine. Not just a 3.X or a Pathfinder or a 4E magazine. A gaming magazine. That means it's going to look at material for the games people are playing. And it's publishing what people submit. I'd bet that if someone really had a hankering to pitch some Call of Cthulhu stuff, it'd get a chance. Someone else said it-- you want more 3.X material? Then get in there an submit it. You've got to swing at the pitches to get the hits.
And they've made no bones about the fact that the magazine is going to publish on for 3.X and 4E, along with support for Pathfinder when they can do it. But really, where else are you going to get something you can hold in your hands and read? For me, that's the clincher. I like getting the magazine in the mail and flipping through it. You can't do that with Dungeon or Dragon, and that's why I don't bother picking it up.
-Ben.
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I'm not sure what you mean by a "general RPG magazine" if you don't mean KQ. KQ is a pretty general RPG mag in that it has 3x/OGL, 4e, and system neutral content.
Don't know of any dead tree 3x/OGL only mags.
For myself, I don't play 4e and don't plan too, but I found the 4e articles great -- and useful. To me, crunch is the easy part. I make that stuff up in my sleep. The fluff is where the juice is. IMHO, of course.
Again, if you want to see 3x artilcles, write 3x articles.
Well there is an obvious conundrum there. If I could write my own articles why would I want somebody else's?
There are some pure-OGL fanzines, but I think they are PDF-only, not print. Phoenix Lore, maybe?
I think Polymancer's _Paladin_ is all OGL 3.X stuff, but I haven't seen an issue of yet, and I'm pretty sure it's just PDF.
-Ben.
A friend of mine talked me into subscribing to this today.
First off, let me point out I do NOT play, or run, 3E, Pathfinder, or 4E. My system is Castles and Crusades.
I really liked the article on familiars. There are several variants in there I am eager to adapt and introduce as options to my Wizard/Illusionist/Runemark/Witch players. In particular the first one based on the Servant spell and the last symbiotic like one.
I was lukewarm about the dinosaur article until I read the little colored in section about how they can be utilized. A extra touch that took the article to being real good, IMO.
Normally I do not care about book reviews, but the Elric one caught my eye and I read that. Which I enjoyed enough to read the others. So now I have read a book review section during my life time that I am glad I read. At least until I find out how much I can get the books for. Hopefully Amazon will keep that pain level low enough to be pleasurable as well.
I also greatly enjoyed the Maened and Kitsune articles. Lots of great flavor elements that I look forward to bring out in my games.
The Arneson interview I had already read on the website, but there did seem to be extra elements in the magazine that I did not remember reading on the website. Either way it was an enjoyable read the second time too.
So the good news is I now believe I am going to continue to be glad my friend talked me into subscribing, and I'll have my eyes on my budget and those back issue bundles and see when I can introduce them.
If I am blown away by the dice set... Then I'll be a very happy gamer on that day.
Are there any straight 3.x/OGL and general RPG mags?
[url]http://www.bigironvault.com/[/url]
I bought the PDF, print is on the way. This is looking to be an over all RPG type of magazine, for the whole hobby.
As for OGL/3E exclusively, I have not seen one.
I have discovered Fight ON! magazine, but its for old school gaming (OD&D/1E/2E) and I have greatly enjoyed it.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Well there is an obvious conundrum there. If I could write my own articles why would I want somebody else's?
Again, if you want to see 3x artilcles, write 3x articles.
Well Charlie, if you don't think you've any ideas worth sharing... ;-)
(Lord and lady willing, I'll have my e-mail ready tonight, Wolfgang)
Well there is an obvious conundrum there. If I could write my own articles why would I want somebody else's?
To broaden the pool of articles to keep interest for other 3.#/OGL fans?
Well there is an obvious conundrum there. If I could write my own articles why would I want somebody else's?
Generally, creative people want to share. And other people's ideas stimulate your own creativity.
Or do you think that none of the authors in KQ are also subscribers?
It's fine for people to disagree with Charlie Rock or to not care for how he expressed himself, but when he's admitted that he is not creative in a certain area (writing, I take it), many of these responding posts seem to me off the mark at the very least.
I'd love it if 3/Pf sectarianism drove up 3/Pf contributions to KQ. (I guess I kind of feel for people who aren't planning on going Pf, or at least not going Pf completely, who are watching their support continue to dry up.) There's certainly some more RPGSS contestants who need to hook up to the KQ pipeline.
It's fine for people to disagree with Charlie Rock or to not care for how he expressed himself, but when he's admitted that he is not creative in a certain area (writing, I take it), many of these responding posts seem to me off the mark at the very least.
I kind of agree, let's flood KQ wih 3e so that Charlie can return!
I don't want to even be able to see the skull on top of that kobold's head! Bury him, people! ;)
There has been a noticeable uptick in 3E and PF queries in the last week or so. Thank you to everyone who stepped up!
Very nice. That's encouraging to hear.
--Neil
(who's also a KQ subscriber and didn't mind the 4e "peanut butter" getting mixed with his 3.X OGL "chocolate" one bit)
I don't want to even be able to see the skull on top of that kobold's head! Bury him, people! ;)
I believe it's a crown, Mairkurion...as in Crown of the Kobold King. And Wolfgang wears it rather well, it seems. ;-D
I believe it's a crown, Mairkurion...as in Crown of the Kobold King. And Wolfgang wears it rather well, it seems. ;-D
The spiky bits are the crown. The other side is a skull-cum-eyepatch.
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The fractured D&D market means I can't please everyone, and each subscriber will decide for themselves what's worthwhile. Let me know!
An open post to Wolfgang,
I humbly ask that you seek profit through continued support of v.3.5 and Pathfinder Fantasy Role-playing Game. Your inclusion of 4e material came at a time when it was THAT company who caused the fracture in the first place, when it tried to push away or control 3PPs just like you with the initial GSL version (that seemed intentionally delayed). The condition of this market was caused imho by a company that has abandoned 30+ years of gaming history and tradition, and who's marketing has appeared to alienate its base of formerly-loyal customers around my age. If not for this issue, issues surrounding THAT company's integrity or customer service, and not being fans of 4e, many of us might otherwise like to have your magazine delivered to our door.4e is the reason I, and seven of my friends, do not subscribe to Kobold Quarterly. Increasing inclusion of 4e is also the reason three other friends are now canceling their subscription to your magazine. We had hope, when you ran the advertisement showing the shackled prisoner with the tatoo that said, "3.5 Never Dies!" However, we are now of the belief that you are reading market trends as you attempt to secure the success of your magazine. We do not fault you for that. We humbly ask that you reconsider, take a stand, be bold, and proudly support the continuance of the systems that continue the traditions of our game. My friends and I ask you to consolidate support for v.3.5 and Pathfinder.
Lastly, I must underscore that it was wotc that fractured this market by design. And, this was no accident. Please question the integrity of that company, asking whether they've acted in the very best interests of our gaming community. And, finally, I humbly request that you consider this a fantasy role-playing market, not a d&d market, because many of us no longer identify ourselves as players of that game, because its recent version is an affront to the coherency and continuity of 30+ years of game experience. PAIZONIANS, for the most part, are players of Pathfinder Role-playing Game now, and although this is semantics, I ask you to recall it was THAT company, the owners of the dnd IP, who pulled the license from PAZIO that stopped the two magazines Dungeon, and Dragon, that gave birth to the vacuum of need for Kobold Quarterly in the first place.
There is no mal-intention in this note. I, as well as my friends, are otherwise big fans of your work.
Thank you for listening,
Pax & those continuedly loyal to Pathfinder and v.3.5 who are also not fans of 4e
Pax, you're a smart guy, and I always like reading your posts. However, your position appears based upon your anger at the business decisions of Wizards. How about the gamers out there playing the game, regardless of what edition they use? If Wolfgang is offering good material to support gaming (and KQ supports gaming, not a specific edition), why try to hold him hostage to your One True Game? Maybe you could buy a subscription, support the magazine more, and watch it grow. Then more people who play the edition you want will submit and demand material for that edition.
When I buy National Geographic, I don't get mad if they cover a country or place that I have little interest in. I look at the pictures and decide if I'm going to read the article or not! My family gets to read it too.
The issue isn't "Wizards cancelled new support for our fun. Wolfgang, you'll take my side, right?" It's getting more outlets out there with more material for everyone's game, regardless of edition.
The spiky bits are the crown. The other side is a skull-cum-eyepatch.I believe it's a crown, Mairkurion...as in Crown of the Kobold King. And Wolfgang wears it rather well, it seems. ;-D
These reflections make me even not want to see the spikes of the crown! More submissions, partisans!
Varinor, your observation seems to trade on the fact that we know Pax is, in fact, still mad. But madness need not play into our analysis of the situation. If you don't play 4e, don't profit from anything 4e, aren't supporting 4e, then anything 4e is not only not of interest to you, it is taking up space you want for your desired product. If you compare the current and likely future product support of 4e to the support of 3.5, then you are dismayed if you detect that one of the very few places you depended on (or hoped for) for 3.5 is putting some of that space towards 4e. Altruism is all well and good in many areas of life, but customers largely do not, and should not, make their decisions based on altruism (someone else's need), they make their decisions based on their own need. Those of us who have no 4e need will not be impressed that "more gaming material for everyone" is what we should be supporting. We want relevant products.
The fractured D&D market means I can't please everyone, and each subscriber will decide for themselves what's worthwhile. Let me know!An open post to Wolfgang,
I humbly ask that you seek profit through continued support of v.3.5 and Pathfinder Fantasy Role-playing Game.
Pax, I sense a lot of anger in your post. So you are not subscribing to KQ, do you pick up single copies when they do appeal to you?
For example KQ8 didn't feature anything remotely 4e, did you buy that one?
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Pax, you're a smart guy, and I always like reading your posts. However, your position appears based upon your anger at the business decisions of Wizards. How about the gamers out there playing the game, regardless of what edition they use? If Wolfgang is offering good material to support gaming (and KQ supports gaming, not a specific edition), why try to hold him hostage to your One True Game? Maybe you could buy a subscription, support the magazine more, and watch it grow. Then more people who play the edition you want will submit and demand material for that edition.
When I buy National Geographic, I don't get mad if they cover a country or place that I have little interest in. I look at the pictures and decide if I'm going to read the article or not! My family gets to read it too.
The issue isn't "Wizards cancelled new support for our fun. Wolfgang, you'll take my side, right?" It's getting more outlets out there with more material for everyone's game, regardless of edition.
Varianor, I thank you for the courtesy of your reply. I wholly believe our industry should grow, and seek opportunities to teach the game to others new to the experience. Unfortunately, I do not hold that 'One True Game' is for everyone. However, 4e is a special case, imho, that has tried to skirt under the integrity radar of this industry. The game is otherwise a game different than Dungeons & Dragons. And, on principle, I regret that I am compelled to point out this bait and switch. In this sense, I do, honestly, admit to an anger, and a deep disappointment that they offered it up under the same name to get sales, but imho, broke with continuity and coherency in the process.
I'm pointing out this pivot-moment in our industry, where we do not need to be held 'hostage' as you say to a company that puts out 20 books in a year and then pulls all support, pulls the d20 license, and attempts to pull the OGL out from under the open game movement.
It is not that various editions should not be represented by Wolfgang, and I also see the benefit to a "game industry" magazine rather than a specific edition. However, imho, and the opinion of many others who may perceive mismanagement, misconduct, misrepresentation, or mishandling of the stewardship of our game... well, yes, this is indeed an important issue to us. Its just too bad that they chose to fracture the situation and put our community in this position.
I do hear what you've said though. And, I am trying to keep emotion out of the logic. Thanks for the reply and the compliment Varianor.
-Pax-
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Kobold Press
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Altruism is all well and good in many areas of life, but customers largely do not, and should not, make their decisions based on altruism (someone else's need), they make their decisions based on their own need. Those of us who have no 4e need will not be impressed that "more gaming material for everyone" is what we should be supporting. We want relevant products.
I agree with this entirely. But something like the "Ecology of the Centaur" in KQ #7 is 90% system-independent, and 10% 4E. If that makes it useless to a Pathfinder player, I'd be very surprised. (EDIT: I crossed threads there with Ecologies. Removed the reference)
I guess it's partly self-fulfilling, is what I'm saying. If the 3E/OGL audience doesn't renew (witness Pax), then KQ becomes a 4E/Pathfinder magazine by default.