I just wanted to start a thread of positive vibes.
I noticed something really cool several months ago, and I never said anything about it. It was just a little something, but it made smile when I saw it, and I'm smiling about it again as I'm thinking about the experience.
Back some time ago, the Dungeon staff asked us to fill out an on-line questionaire. Among the questions was what were our favorite adventures published in Dungeon. I thought quite a bit about my favorite Dungeon adventures, and I even went through some of my older magazines until one cover caught my eye, and made me laugh.
That was Dungeon #41, May/June 1993. The cover depicted my vote: Old Man Katan and the Mushroom Band. I bet I was the only one to cast in that choice, but after I saw that cover, I couldn't think of any other adventure that was as entertaining.
So, I figured I "wasted my vote" as they say, because there would not likely be any reference to one of my all-time favorite Dugeon adventures. Issue #116 (30 Greatest Adventures of All Tiime) came and went without a mention of Old Man Katan, as expected, but then in #119, there it was:
On page 92... a singing mushroom!
So, big thanks to Jim "ZUB" Zubkavich to the great illustration, and thanks to the Paizo staff for making room in the magazine for the return of the Campestris.
I'll add my own comments because, your right, Jake, good things NEED to be said more often about the magazine.
More than any other time in Dungeon's history from my perspective, the staff is super in touch with its readers. These guys really listen to us and its quality is far beyond top notch.
Kudos to Erik, James, and all the rest of the guys at Paizo for their hard work and dedication. As well as their infinite amount of patience in dealing with us ;)
One of my favorite adventures was "The Devil Box" if I had to name one right off the top of my head. "Maure Castle" and "The Lich Queen's Beloved" were also very cool. I wish I could name some more from further back, but the memory isn't as good as it used to be.
I'll add my own two cents;
My subscription ran for just one year(2003-2004) for financial reasons alone, but in that time I could tell that the magazine wasn't the one I had read off of bookstore shelves back in the 80's; from being on these boards since the demise of my subscription, I can second all of Greer's comments without even having seen a page of ANY issue outside of the AP modules!
I have absolutely NO idea about why there's such a debate over "Wil Save".... lol!
M
Hear, hear!
The current group at Dungeon is doing a fantastic job. I feel really lucky to be in on what will surely be remembered as a golden age of the magazine.
About the time this group took over, I started buying the magazine off the shelf. After about 18 months of finding that I just had to have every single issue because it was getting better and better, I finally subscribed!
And what a time to do so! My first subscription issue was 124--Age of Worms, baby!
I'll be DMing this one for my 10 yr. old son, and you should have seen him as we went over the map and background of Diamond Lake yesterday. His eyes lit up and a smile invaded his face as he imagined saving the world from the approaching Age of Worms!
Thanks to Erik and the crew for bringing us moments like this. And not only that. Erik and James, especially, have gone out of their way to be extremely responsive on these boards. Sometimes, they are on here late at night, answering all kinds of questions about the magazine and adventures. Erik even went out of his way to post his unedited text for the Bronzewood Lodge to help someone make a character! Where else are you going to get this kind of personal support?
Three cheers for Erik and the Dungeon staff!
Big Jake, you are not the only one who voted 'shroom. "Old Man Katan" is an adventure I have been planning on updating to 3.5 just so I can run it again. It has that Swamp Thing meets the Muppets kind of appeal that just can't be beat.
As for modern Dungeon, its so good I renewed my subscription this year. "Devil Box" was great (started my last campaign with it) as were many of the installments of the Adventure Path "Foundations Flame" being one of my favorites. I also like the retro adventures and backdrops that take new looks at old campaigns ("Isle of Dread", "Against the Giants", etc...) and the "Winding Way" which looks to be based on one of my all-time favorite portions of the Desert Nomads series. The Lovecraft influence is also good. Is there any chance we can return to "The Styles"?
All in all you folks do a great job.
The Great Green God is pleased.
PS Were the readers poll results ever released?
Chief Technical Officer
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Erik and James, especially, have gone out of their way to be extremely responsive on these boards. Sometimes, they are on here late at night, answering all kinds of questions about the magazine and adventures.
What?!? They're not supposed to have internet access late at night! They're supposed to be chained to the special computers that only allow them to edit articles for the next issue. We'll look into this and fix it right up.
-Vic.
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Yeah, I just wanted to say that not only do I love the Age of Worms AP so far, but the overall quality of both Dragon and Dungeon are great right now. And as a FR junkie, I loved Erik's last editorial and am really looking forward to the Dungeon of the Crypt adventure coming up.
Thanks everyone for the work you have done and the drastic improvements that have come about.
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And again... GREAT job!
Erik, James, and who ever is working on Dungeon, the love and sweat you're putting into the magazine is noticeable in every single issue! Keep it up, and be sure for everyone out there who don't like what you guys are doing (I don't think that there is even one...) there will be always two who like it!
Thanx for a great, great magazine!!!
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First off, I'd like to send my accolades to Robert Head - I believe he is most directly responsible for the Paizo boards, and I've enjoyed my time here. You've helped put us in touch with the editors and that's great.
James - You're doing an excellent job. I'm led to believe that you're responsible for most of the "details" from month to month. Overall, the quality is great. I don't want to say you're doing better than Dragon - but you are. And my other favorite gaming magazine (and an Origins Award Winner) is by Kenzerco. You're doing so much better than they are. Thank you for understanding the difference between there, they're and their. :rollseyes:
Erik - I'm pleased with the strategic vision you've brought to the magazine. It looks like you're steering directly to more of everything good - as much as the magazine can hold.
And good job to all the Paizo staff for being responsive and engaging your readership.
I have to say that I've perused a fair bit of Dungeon over the years, and it's only in the last 3 or 4 years that I've been inspired to "subscribe" to the mag. No, I don't actually subscribe for 2 reasons:
1. The mail service here is so bad, 6 months late would be a good thing. Never receiving money and magazines in mail is entirely possible.
2. I want to promote the business of my FLGS.
Even so, I've had every single issue since late 2001 and I don't plan on quitting anytime soon.
The layout has been getting better and better, and the adventure spread and design likewise. I like the fact that there are now 3 differently leveled adventures every ish. That way, I can not only have one ready for pillaging every month, I can also concentrate on playing at the levels I like and depend on the mag to deliver every month, too.
The layouting and art have been quite inspired. Maps have generally been better than of old, too. Overall, a great time to be buying Dungeon!