WHY DO I HAVE TO PUSH ON THROUGH 42 PAGES BEFORE I GET TO THE FIRST REAL ROLEPLAYING ARTICLE?
This is indicitive of a serious problem, you guys. There are thousands of magazines out there filled with articles that have nothing to do with roleplaying. Trying to make Dragon one of them is just daft. Correct, please.
Everything after page 42 is great this time around, at least, but still. Half the magazine should not be a half-assed attempt to go places Dragon was never meant to. That is a recipe for overall mediocrity.
Well, Dungeon is now the best it's ever been, as far as I'm concerned, so your word is good enough for me in the meantime. Sweet.
It's a recipe that's changed as of #327. Give the new master time, grasshopper. All will be fixed in the end. :)
--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon
What exactly posessed you to mess with sucess? For the six-odd issues before the relaunch, the little voice in my head went "This is good," while i'm reading Dragon.
Now? All it says is "Cancel your subscription."
Seriously. You've gone from making two or more articles an issue that are of use to me, to putting out what ammounts to no articles being of use to me, and a lot of information i already knew.
Perhaps the new features have to be given time to come into maturity, but I for one am puzzled as to why you felt the magazine needed to consist largely of immovable features that all the other articles have to bend and twist around to fit.
I also don't know what convinced you that you are the History Channel- The history lessons are not adding anything to the articles. Not when they CONSIST of most of the article.
I'd be willing to accept what you've done, but I would really need to know why you've done it.
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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Justin,
The easiest defense is that "I" didn't do any of the things you mention. I've been over on Dungeon, working on the relaunch of that magazine.
As to "why relaunch," well, we felt that the magazines needed an infusion of fresh energy and a revitalized approach. Basically, we thought to ourselves "if we were building these magazines from the ground up, what would and wouldn't we include?"
I think my predecessor's approach was to make each issue a "toolkit" with a ton of new immediately usable game bits, as well as some general interest articles to woo people in. I have a slightly different approach, which ought to start showing up in issue 330. 327 is the first issue with my name at the top of the masthead, but it'll take a few issues beyond that until we get to a Dragon that looks and feels exactly the way I want it to.
Give it a little time. I think you'll be glad you did.
--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon
I also don't know what convinced you that you are the History Channel- The history lessons are not adding anything to the articles. Not when they CONSIST of most of...
I've actually enjoyed the recent addition of historical context to many of the articles and hope that's not something that's walked away from under the "new master." Some might consider it fluff but I think it adds to the overall experience.
Overall, I like what I've seen from the relaunch and look forward to the kinks being smoothed out in the near future.
Contributor
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I've actually enjoyed the recent addition of historical context to many of the articles and hope that's not something that's walked away from under the "new master." Some might consider it fluff but I think it adds to the overall experience.
That's also one of my favorite aspects of the new format. :) It hearkens back to the golden age of Dragon when such articles were common and popular. When Matt brought up the idea way back when I immediately supported it (I was a history major in college, after all), so it's certainly something I'd like to see continue in the magazine. Erik, of course, now has final say in the matter, but he seems agreeable to the idea (and I'll continue to push for it as well). ;)
Mike,
A history major -- same here. I wholeheartedly agree that mixing history and real world cultures within the subtext of D&D is not only a great idea, but helps create the best ideas with the greatest verisimilitude. History gives fantasy a context, as well as a landmark for ideas.
I think the Eberron setting is an excellent example of using history as a template for creating a complex, intriguing world. The world of Eberron bears striking similarities to Earth after WWI.
So, intermingling historical context with D&D articles makes great sense, and makes articles all the more interesting. I've enjoyed this element so far, and look forward seeing it in future issues.
<standing on the top of a tall building>
I LOVE THE NEW FORMAT OF BOTH DRAGON AND DUNGEON!
I recently uncovered a trove of my old Dragon mags dating back to 84/85, and as I flipped through the pages of the old mags I marvelled at how much better things have gotten.
I have every Dragon for the last 3 years, every Dungeon for the last 1 year (starting with the Adventure Path).
I like the silicon sorcery, and novel approach pages. I loved the article about sewers. I do think the letters from the readers section could stand to be a bit shorter. (I almost never read them anyway).
Like Mark Hart said I like mixing the history with D&D articles. (except for the one about Knight vs. Samurai.. wasnt too keen on that one).
Erik you have my kudos and compliments. Keep up the good work! Same goes for the rest of the staff.
I totally agree with JustinFritts. It was perfection before the relaunch. I find the "new" 70's style font on the front cover annoying and no longer as eye-catching and distinctive as it once was. Add that to the increase in price combined with the Magazine being almost half the previous content, "Where are the adds that made it more affordable!!". Not your fault if they pulled out.
Plus I loved the Planar cities articles that where to eventually featured. Where are they now? Where are the Issue themes like the Gladiators, Mercenaries, and Pirates, I was giddilly waiting for more.
The only positives I have to say about the relaunch, can summed up in two monthly features, "Winning Races" and "Ecologies". The "new" "Class Acts" is almost totally useless, unless you're a new comer (so at least there's some help for someone).
If only my expectation weren't so high, due to your uber excellent Spelljammer article.