3 out of 5 rating for DRAGON+ #1
DRAGON+ does exactly what it sets out to do, which is to keep you up to date on what's happening with D&D the brand, lore, current design, etc. The limited scope of the app is explained right there in Chris Perkins' introduction and Matt Chapman's editor's letter.However, can you blame us for expecting it to deliver something more? Specifically, something more in line with what the original Dragon magazine offered?No, you can't. Here's why:Wizards of the Coast is explicitly drawing parallels between the old Dragon magazine and the DRAGON+ app, setting up false expectations. Take these two quotes from the first issue of DRAGON+ for instance.
Matt Chapman said:
Dragon+ take the traditional magazine format to the next level, making it more interactive and allowing you to enjoy it anywhere on smartphones, tablets, or computers.
Chris Perkins said:
Dragon+ is a digital descendant of a much older print publication called Dragon magazine, which was for many years a colossus in the gaming industry. Before the Internet, Dragon was how we got D&D news and previews…
The fallacy here is that yes, Dragon magazine was a source of D&D news and previews, and yes, it also had advertisements for upcoming products (and not just from TSR/WotC either!). However, that was maybe
half of what Dragon magazine offered. Arguably even less than half. The other half was stuff gamers used in their D&D games: new player content, new monsters, new magic items, diseases, short adventures, etc.If we compare the table of contents from Dragon #354 (April 2007, Paizo) with this first issue of DRAGON+, we see right off that DRAGON+ is far more focused on the D&D brand exclusive to WotC, has far less diversity of content, and far less content useable in an actual game.
Dragon #354From the EditorScale MailFirst WatchCore Beliefs: HeironeousReturn of the ModronsAncient PCsEcology of the KopruSavage Tidings: Totemic SlayersVolo's Guide: CormanthyrDragonmarksSage AdviceGamer GuideClass ActsComics
DRAGON+ "Elemental Evil" issueA Word from the "DM to the Stars"Editor's LetterElemental Evil: Unearth the DeceptionTravel Talk: Sumber HillsProfile: GoliathsInterview: Sword Coast LegendsPlayer Factions: Our "Heroes"?Know Your Enemy: Black DragonCommunity: Elemental TrinketsInterview: Rob OvermeyerYe Old Magic Emporium: Advertisement for DM Screen & Spell CardsComic: Gauntlet GophersWhere it All Started: ToEEFor what it is - a newsstand app - DRAGON+ is about par for the course. However, this is in no way a "digital descendant" of the original Dragon magazines.