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While I thoroughly appreciate what Dragon Magazine does for the game of DnD, I hope to see it expand its support into areas that have grown dusty with unuse by either Wizards of the Coast or Paizo. For instance, when the Epic Level Handbook came out, Dungeon provided a nice module for the sourcebook, and if I recall correctly, Dragon had a few supportive elements. Even Wizards offered up some web enhancements. But now, pardon the tumbleweed, all is silent. Why not offer the occasional return to those sourcebooks? (Ghostwalk is another one that comes to mind.) I understand the commercial reason - build the hype on soon-to-be released products to encourage purchases. But still, why not continue to support past products that can still see use. (I'd throw in Planescape and Oriental Adventures here, but acknowledge that occasionally, you offer a nice little planar tidbit and AEG supports Oriental Adventures - insofar as your interested in Rokugan .. which I am.)
Anyhow, just a suggestion. By the way, I like your new format ... but equally liked the old. (I did like the 3E Dragon and Dungeon titles better, though. Very artistic!)
Contributor
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While I thoroughly appreciate what Dragon Magazine does for the game of DnD, I hope to see it expand its support into areas that have grown dusty with unuse by either Wizards of the Coast or Paizo. For instance, when the Epic Level Handbook came out, Dungeon provided a nice module for the sourcebook, and if I recall correctly, Dragon had a few supportive elements. Even Wizards offered up some web enhancements. But now, pardon the tumbleweed, all is silent. Why not offer the occasional return to those sourcebooks? (Ghostwalk is another one that comes to mind.) I understand the commercial reason - build the hype on soon-to-be released products to encourage purchases. But still, why not continue to support past products that can still see use. (I'd throw in Planescape and Oriental Adventures here, but acknowledge that occasionally, you offer a nice little planar tidbit and AEG supports Oriental Adventures - insofar as your interested in Rokugan .. which I am.)
There certainly are commercial reasons behind our decision to not support some of the products you mentioned, but those factors are slightly different than the ones you've brought up. The simple reason we don't support the Epic levels, Oriental Adventures, Ghostwalk, or psionics is because the demand for such support is so very low.
Whenever we decide to support a particular game world, even one as popular as Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, or Eberron, we actually turn away more of our readers than we enthrall. Because our readership (and indeed, the entirety of D&D's players) are so fractured by their support of, or disdain toward, particular campaign settings, it's in our best interest to remain as generic and middle-of-the-road as possible. Does this steal away some of the flavor? Probably. Does this make some people unhappy? Probably. Does this make even more people happy? Probably. ;)
That said, however, Dungeon has made it a clearly stated desire to support certain types of play with Epic, psionic, and Oriental adventures on occasion (I believe James Jacobs said something like one per year).
Creative Director
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It's true. We're going to try to do at least one Epic adventure a year in Dungeon, one psionic adventrue, and one or two Oriental Adventures adventures (that sounds weird) per year. Ghostwalk is a really interesting campaign, and if we get an adventure submission set there that really knocks our socks off, we'll even consider publishing that.
What Mike said is true, but a special article for a particularly popular setting can increase sales, and Dragon will occasionally offer articles that reference and are enhanced by owning a particular supplement.
The key to having such articles in the magazine is making sure that they can be used by any reader without the need for the related supplement. The Epic Level Handbook, Oriental Adventures, and Ghostwalk are particularly problematic because they have so many new rules systems that an article would have to avoid or reprint to make the article useful to most readers.
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The Epic Level Handbook, Oriental Adventures, and Ghostwalk are particularly problematic because they have so many new rules systems that an article would have to avoid or reprint to make the article useful to most readers.
James Jacobs reminded us on the Dungeon message board that "basic" epic level rules appear in the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide. I know Dragon is now generally aimed at players, but surely most players have access to the DMG even if they don't own a copy.
It should be possible for Dragon to run articles on new epic feats, prestige classes and magic items without having to reprint chunks of the epic level handbook.
The Epic Level Handbook, Oriental Adventures, and Ghostwalk are particularly problematic because they have so many new rules systems that an article would have to avoid or reprint to make the article useful to most readers.James Jacobs reminded us on the Dungeon message board that "basic" epic level rules appear in the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide. I know Dragon is now generally aimed at players, but surely most players have access to the DMG even if they don't own a copy.
It should be possible for Dragon to run articles on new epic feats, prestige classes and magic items without having to reprint chunks of the epic level handbook.
That's true, and Dragon might print such things on occasion. However, it's unlikely to be a regular feature because most D&D campaigns don't reach such high levels. Epic-level characters can easily use all the material presented in Dragon, but not every reader can use epic-level material.
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That's true, and Dragon might print such things on occasion. However, it's unlikely to be a regular feature because most D&D campaigns don't reach such high levels. Epic-level characters can easily use all the material presented in Dragon, but not every reader can use epic-level material.
The Epic Level Handbook, Oriental Adventures, and Ghostwalk are particularly problematic because they have so many new rules systems that an article would have to avoid or reprint to make the article useful to most readers.James Jacobs reminded us on the Dungeon message board that "basic" epic level rules appear in the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide. I know Dragon is now generally aimed at players, but surely most players have access to the DMG even if they don't own a copy.
It should be possible for Dragon to run articles on new epic feats, prestige classes and magic items without having to reprint chunks of the epic level handbook.
I understand the need to be able to please most of your consumer base most of the time. How else do you keep your sales up? In any event, I'm happy to hear that I may see some more support for settings (or expanded rules) that I like. As you occasionally add some flavor to a 3.5 "Planescape" campaign, I'm happy to hear that you intend to do so for epic campaigns (and the others I mentioned), as well. Thanks!