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Hi there,
reading reader letters in issue #325, I realized that there are some more readers out there who are not enthusiastic about all the changes in the most recent Dragon issues.
I am going to mention some things I would like to see improved/ changed. Other message board readers are welcome to add their points of view:
One more thing: do not feel irritated after reading the first part of this posting: unfortunately the part which I like less, is the first part... ;)
1) The new Dragon logo:
I understand that Paizo tries to attract new readers. I agree that an easily recognizable magazine title improves recognizability of the magazine. Does that mean, though, that it attracts more readers? I take it that most readers in spe feel attracted by appealing graphics (a strong advantage of all Dragon issues so far!) and interesting topics (that depends on the magazine content)... I do not understand in which way the title font would attract new readers - even after reading your art director's statement here and in scale mail...
But then I buy the magazine because of its content, not because of its logo... ;-)
2) Editorial: nicely done. :-)
3) First Watch:
I am an adult person who is able (and in fact does so) to go to his local gaming store, have a look at wizards.com in order to read what is new. Besides your threemonthly product preview is absolutely sufficient on its own! There was absolutely no new information for me reading about the new Eberron and D&D products. Hats, shirts and arcade games do not interest me either - I am reading Dragon because of D&D articles.
4) Scale Mail:
Always an interesting read - after this issue I am wondering, though: how does it come, that readers' feed back is more contrary than ever? There seem to be those readers who like to read play-at-once content, be entertained and nothing else. On the other hand there are those readers who like to have a look under the surface of the game, those who are missing the content which wandered to Dungeon or vanished completely. I am obviously one of the latter readers.
5) Player Initiative:
What is the difference to First Watch? I did not understand it, just more WotC-ads and game unrelated information.
6) RPGA Update:
I am probably part of a minority, but I am interested in staying up to date about what happens in the RPGA, and do not mind if some "RPGA newbie" information is included in Dragon, as long as there is some new information for long time players in it, too.
7) Under Command:
I read the word "Miniatures" and instantly started skipping pages: a four page article?!
I seem to be a purist, but as I said above: I am looking for d20 content only.
8) Silicon Sorcery & A novel approach:
As in 3) and 5): I do not see many difference between these articles: adapting computer content to D&D and adapting novel content to D&D. One of both articles is sufficient. In my opinion book content is immensely preferable for there are usually more role playing hooks in novels than in computer games.
9) Comics
Page 34, page 36, page 38!
Three comics?!
I like to read them, but more than two pages of comics should not be necessary, are they?!
10) Hometown Heroes:
The *FIRST* roleplaying related article in Dragon #325!!!
On page 40 of 106!!
I think this is what is bothering me most: much D&D content vanished from Dragon and was replaced by other topics (see above). For me this is a loss of content, in other words a loss of quality. :-(
The article is fine, although it obviously aims at D&D beginners (?). I do not feel taken seriously. I am not a child any more (again: that is *my* impression!)
11) Arcane Ancestry 2:
Well done! Good content, usable both by players and dms (-> adventure hooks), and beautiful art work! :-))
12) War magic:
Another great article: great rules add ons which show that its authour spent some thought on it. The introduction and the explanations spend depth to the rules and simplify their implementation into my next campaign. :-)
13) A Surge of Theory:
My favourite! :-)
14) The Ecology of Duergar:
I am definitely a fan of the ecology series: I am looking forward to every new installment...
just one question: what kind of ecology articles are you going to publish after all the monster compendium content was being sported in Ecology? ;-)
15) Spellcraft:
I know that there is much demand for ever new spells. I am just wondering who is going to use all these new spells at all! ;-) But then I do not mind them that much, after all they are an essential part of the game.
A proposal: what about publishing articles about different kinds of magic? E.g. some kind of "ecology of necromancy" (<- "working title")
16) Artifacts of Pharaohs, heroic feats, gaining prestige, class acts, player tips, adventurer tips:
nice articles which offer new options and tips to players.
Well done! Definitely an improvement of Dragon.
On the other hand why not "dm tips"? Your reply to one of the reader letters said that the magazine was intended for both dms and players...
17) Winning races:
Another great article.
I am just wondering why not to call this an ecology article...
18) Sage Advice:
A classic!
19) Coup de Grace:
IMHO: a gap filler.
Ok. Just my few cents on one of the relaunch issues.
I am curious about what other readers think about issue #325 and what the stuff's opinion is.
Greetings from Germany,
Guenther
...Scale Mail: Always an interesting read - after this issue I am wondering, though: how does it come, that readers' feed back is more contrary than ever?
Overly negative letters sometimes put me in a foul mood and taint my enjoyment of the rest of the magazine. So sometimes I'll skip the letters until last.
I thought it was just me, but I guess not. Thanks for sharing, Guennarr.
Tony M
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Hello Erik,
hello Tony,
I am eagerly awaiting these changes! Apparently I grew somewhat overenthusiastic after your (= Erik's) first "proclamation" of changes to come... I understand now that you cannot change the heading of a magazine in such a short time.
Tony, I do like to see that the readership is critical and not just accepting whatever the magazine is like. Imho our hobby and this magazine can only attract new people by growing better and better. The diversity of reader letters is some kind of indicator for me about how vivid the readership still is: if (for some unknown reason) everyone just congratulated on whatever was published, I would be deeply worried about the future of the magazine (at least for as long as Dragon Magazines sales would not beat some national daily newspaper... ;-) )
On the other hand I have to totally agree with you: sometimes it is very unsatisfying to realize that so many other readers speak out loud, what concerns you, too. Some people even seem to consider Dragon to be their personal belonging and postulate their personal special content. *shakes his head* I do not like everything (see above), but to a certain degree I am tolerant... or at least trying to be so... :p
As long as criticism stays constructive, and the Paizo stuff listens to it, I do not fear for either our hobby and our favourite D&D magazine, though. ;-)
Guenther
P.S.
Some scalemail can be quite amusing: I still remember vivid discussions e.g. about realistic damages of arrows and crossbow bolts... ;-)
Guenther - you complained about no "D&D content" until page 40 - but there was. You just skipped past it. Silicon Sorcery and A Novel Approach are both D&D content.
...Tony, I do like to see that the readership is critical and not just accepting whatever the magazine is like. Imho our hobby and this magazine can only attract new people by growing better and better...
Oh, I agree. Criticism is a good thing. And I'm sure the people at Paizo desire lots of feedback--positive and negative. But, as a reader, I don't want very much criticism making it into the Letters area. Ideally, I'd like my Dragon Magazine experience to be a completely positive thing, since I don't subscribe to get annoyed--and some of the letters annoy me.
Consider other hobbies with magazine-support, like watercoloring and photography. If you love those hobbies enough to subscribe to a magazine about them, would you want to read letters on the letter-page griping about watercoloring and photography?
That's what the internet is for! :)
Dang-nabbit! When I sit down with my Dragon Magazine, I want to be transported to a place where D&D is loved by one-and-all, and where Dragon Magazine is an upbeat, positive reflection of that idealized worldview!!
By all means, everybody, keep sending Paizo letters about what gets under your skin. But forgive me if I hope that Erik Mona won't make me read it.
Tony M
I agree with you 100% Tony M, wether it's people whining about Maure Castle in Dungeon's letters page, or Firearms reload times in Dragon's, it's a Terrible way to start off a magazine:(
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I'd like to say that I appreciate our letters being included in Scale Mail. Whether I agree with the content or not, I like the fact that I have a chance to respond, rather than leaving the editors in a vaccuum. Poor Erik Mona - trying to make his deadlines every month! If he hears a lot of negative comments he will make changes. Remember, people who dislike what they see are far more likley to write in than those who like what they see. The negative letters allow us to send positive encouragement.
That said, there are areas that I believe can be improved. I just received my issue 326, and I was dissappointed to find that my letter was not included (maybe next issue!). In a letter to the editors, I think we should all attempt to mix positive encouragement with constructive (ie, negative) criticism.
I think that the fact that readers CARE so much about the direction of the magazine speaks volumes. Despite the valid claims about the magazine needing to appeal to a wide audience and a NEW audience, please remember that long-time readers are dedicated to this magazine. I don't know what percentage of players quit when they enter college, or when they graduate college, but I'm sure it is significant. Accomodating readers who will purchase a half-dozen issues at the expense of loyal readers won't make much sense in the long run. And I think loyal readers are more likely to write letters. I know that Ihave been reading Dragon since 132. It wasn't until about 2 months ago that I wrote a letter to Dungeon, and only a couple of weeks ago that I wrote my first letter to Dragon.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
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I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think Dragon has lost something... While I've found the new Dungeon to be 1000% better than ever I find that Dragon is holding my interest less and less. It seems many of the articles cater to new players.
Don't get me wrong there have been alot of great articles of late. The 7 deadly sins piece was great. I like Ecology, even if I was fond of the footnote format.
Things I too jump over, silicon sorcery, The mini's don't interest me at all either.
DO NOT lose the comics. Nodwick, Dork Tower, Zogonia, and the new one are great additions.
I know you guys will get it right in the end, keep up the good work.