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Dragon #297 arrived
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<blockquote data-quote="Psion" data-source="post: 227837" data-attributes="member: 172"><p><strong>The Essential Problem(s) with Dragon</strong></p><p></p><p>I really thought that the first year or so after 3e came out was really pretty good. But recently, I have been rather unimpressed with Dragon and it has been supplanted by Dungeon/Polyhedron as the premeir gaming mag.</p><p></p><p>I see two problems here.</p><p></p><p>1) Themes. The slavish dedication to themes is hampering the magazine's content, I think. Entirely too much of the magazine is being dedicated to themes. Now I usually find the themes interesting, and most have one or two interesting articles. But after that, it begins to feel like they are scraping the bottom of the barrel. I don't think the focus on themes should be as strong as it is.</p><p></p><p>Further, even if every article is good, there is going to be someone who doesn't find a particular month's theme all that useful. I think it would be helpful if the theme was limited in scope. Take a look at last years halfling issue, which had some halfling stuff, and then (IIRC) had at least two really cool elemental evil articles. I consider that issue very useful and broad in its appeal.</p><p></p><p>2) Wasteful "regular" articles. We might debate about which ones therese are, but I really feel as if some of the regular articles are of limited use. Trimming back on some of the regular articles would allow more room to accomodate some off-theme articles in addition to the themes. The ones I could happily live without:</p><p></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><em>Fiction:</em> This is a gaming magazine. Most people who want to read fiction are probably getting it through other sources.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><em>Silicon Sorcery:</em> Not once have I seen a translation I consider useful.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><em>Chainmail Stuff:</em> Alright, I know this is a house magazine and you job is to support the line, but I really could live without this, too.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><em>FR sites:</em> Interesting to look at, but rarely useful IME.</li> </ol><p></p><p>Like I said, other people might think different regular articles need axed, but I think even just getting a few out of the way would free up some room for some articles with more general appeal.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Psion, post: 227837, member: 172"] [b]The Essential Problem(s) with Dragon[/b] I really thought that the first year or so after 3e came out was really pretty good. But recently, I have been rather unimpressed with Dragon and it has been supplanted by Dungeon/Polyhedron as the premeir gaming mag. I see two problems here. 1) Themes. The slavish dedication to themes is hampering the magazine's content, I think. Entirely too much of the magazine is being dedicated to themes. Now I usually find the themes interesting, and most have one or two interesting articles. But after that, it begins to feel like they are scraping the bottom of the barrel. I don't think the focus on themes should be as strong as it is. Further, even if every article is good, there is going to be someone who doesn't find a particular month's theme all that useful. I think it would be helpful if the theme was limited in scope. Take a look at last years halfling issue, which had some halfling stuff, and then (IIRC) had at least two really cool elemental evil articles. I consider that issue very useful and broad in its appeal. 2) Wasteful "regular" articles. We might debate about which ones therese are, but I really feel as if some of the regular articles are of limited use. Trimming back on some of the regular articles would allow more room to accomodate some off-theme articles in addition to the themes. The ones I could happily live without: [list=1] [*][i]Fiction:[/i] This is a gaming magazine. Most people who want to read fiction are probably getting it through other sources. [*][i]Silicon Sorcery:[/i] Not once have I seen a translation I consider useful. [*][i]Chainmail Stuff:[/i] Alright, I know this is a house magazine and you job is to support the line, but I really could live without this, too. [*][i]FR sites:[/i] Interesting to look at, but rarely useful IME. [/list] Like I said, other people might think different regular articles need axed, but I think even just getting a few out of the way would free up some room for some articles with more general appeal. [/QUOTE]
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