I was struck by a couple of things in issue #118. Erik's editorial was one... Too Young for Nostalgia - I wish I was. I can't be much older than Erik, but I certainly have enough nostalgia for things to go around. I remember the poster maps from that boxed set, and I am still hoping to see Saltmarsh properly labeled when I see the appropriate part of the new map. While I am happy to see the map a reality (and I am, as a child of cartographers I have a great love for maps), adventures are what tend to call to me in the nostalgia department. When Dungeon did its review of the top 30 adventures of all time, I was thrilled to see so many of my favorites. I was especially pleased to see that B4 made the cut. It was the first adventure that I ever owned, and I've always had a soft spot for it.
A Prison Mail writer in the same issue asked for more classic adventures to be redone or paid homage to in the pages of Dungeon magazine (for that writer's information, in case he didn't know and is reading, Keep on the Borderlands was revisited in Return to the Keep on the Borderlands, a late 90s title I regret I do not own). Since classic adventure locations and characters do occasionally appear in both Dragon and Dungeon, I was wondering what the process is. All of the material is clearly copyrighted... is it fair game for queries, or does Wizards of the Coast, or your editorial board, need to specifically solicit such adventures or backdrops? Just curious.
Koldoon brings up an interesting topic. I would like to see Dungeon remake some of the older adventures if at all possible (copyright laws, infringements withstanding) as well. I would hazard to guess that Dungeon would fare a lot better in the remake of this material simply because they have a greater respect for the original. Much of this would have to do with their feel into making an adventure, their gaming history and their experience with writing class modules. Man, I would give one of my fingers to see the Saltmarsh series remade and touched up by Christopher Perkins. He could add so much detail and refinement that were missing from the original classics.
I would not consider it hankering, Qsamantha, just curiousity to see these old modules revisited in a new format. A lot of the younger players buying Dungeon are not familiar with these older modules and never will be due to the implementation of the new rules. It would be a history lesson for them and a nostalgia trip for us older players.
A lot of the older modules revisted by WOC such as Keep on the Borderlands and White Plume Mountain were way too long. Dungeon has already revisited a few such as Isle of Dread and Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure and I think they did a fantastic job, far better than the writers of the "Return" series. That's why I would give Dungeon the vote to rewrite them. I like new material too, but I would like to see just a few classics like Saltmarsh or the Master of the Desert Nomad series revamped for third edition rules. By all means, keep the new material coming but maybe one edition with these adventures included or any other series the readers would like to see done.
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I personally have no interest in seeing Dungeon revamping older modules. As QSamantha already said, the modules can be bought and remade by anyone. For those that are nostalgic for the old days, you can buy the modules are change them how you see fit. Although they may be a trip down memory lane for older gamers, I hardly think they are a history lesson for younger ones. Nobody would have known the history of the Maure Castle module if the entire issue had not been devoted to pimping it (which to those of us that pay for a monthy issue and did not like the module was a BAD thing). If the staff of Dungeon wants to remake the old modules than they should just do it and move on.
They don't need to write articles and talk about the good ol' days just to show that they did it. Those who remember the old modules will recognize them and everyone else will just judge the adventure on how well it has been written by today's standard (something most of these older adventures would not live up to).
I am sorry to hear you did not enjoy, Maure Castle, Sean, but I was licking my lips when I heard about it. I really don't think you are right in saying any of these revamped old modules would not measure up to present standards. If the same writers that write the newer material rewrote the old stuff (Wolfgand Bauer, Christopher Perkins etc.) I am sure they could make it just as enjoyable as the fresher material. A lot of these older modules were the springboard for D&D material today so they do have merit. It doesn't have to be an exact reproduction; throw in a few different spins, a few extra bells and whistles and away you go. As regards to rewriting the modules ourselves, who really has time to do that?
QSamantha, maybe Maure Castle shouldn't have been a whole magazine dedicated to the refresher. It seems like some of our younger readers (Sean Halloran?) were a little angry and felt cheated of their monthly installment of adventures by bringing back the past. That's why I would suggest a gradual thing, here and there, or an annual as you suggested. But if it would turn readers away and do more harm than good then maybe they shouldn't. Hey, it was a great idea and one I would endorse.
Yeah I was the guy that asked for the Keep on the Borderlands. The problem with the 90's revision was that it is 2e. That revision is actually a revisitation. Its somthing like 30 years later. What I think would be cool is an adventure that uses the Keep and its wilderness area, but makes it a little later in time and maybe adds somthing below the keep. Or they could go all out, and revisit B1 and B2, with the changes that came about with the 2e revisitation. I just think it is a good location. I think the best way to deal with it is the same way they did with the Isle of Dread. Location, adventure that uses said location.
Aaron.