{DRAGON] Will there be a DRAGON Annual this year?

[herald]

AS a subscriber of both magazines, I have to say that I am disappointed in the publishers choice in canceling the annual. I can understand that Paizo wants to limit it's risk, but getting out of the annual is spiteful.

You can't be expermental and not be willing to take criticsim.

I would hope that the people who put the magazine together would have understood that the disappointed customers comments were indication of where to take the Annual and by that extention Dragon Magazine. Instread we are told that because of complaints we are now loosing what we have come to feel was a special part of the whole Dragon experiance.

Promise or no promise, by dropping the annual, it makes (IMHO),
a subscription to Dragon Magazine a little less special to the D&D experiance, a little more impersonal connection with the world of D&D gamers, and a reason to make gamers a little more skeptical when considering if the people who make choices at the top have thier best interests at heart.

 

[DDK]

I'm curious about something, Johnny, how did you make it to where you are in the publishing industry with such a thin skin and a complete lack of PR sense? Parents? You knew someone who knew someone? What?

'Cause this type of response is childish and inane and shows a complete lack of respect for the fanbase. In essence you just insulted people who buy your product. Get over it, really. This industry is full of critics and criticism; I am, quite frankly, amazed that you've lasted long enough to be in the position you are in with this kind of attitude.

 

[Talaysen]

You know, my father was quite the gamer in his day, and a few years ago he gave me a few old issues of Dragon - the last remnants of his once-mighty collection (most of his gaming stuff was destroyed by mildew). I've read them repeatedly, and I'm constantly amazed at how blunt, obnoxious and simply rude the old publisher was towards the fans when he responded to their letters.

I can only pray we're not about to see a return to those days. I find the fact that the current publisher has chosen to so easily dismiss the concerns of his fans deeply disturbing.

But perhaps Johnny is right in that the views of Internet pundits matter little - it is clear that this thread will do nothing to change his mind; the best thing we can do now is flood their offices with letters expressing our disappointment and outrage at the cancellation of the Annual. I'll be sending my letter out on Monday.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Okay, a few words from a non-subscriber, that is someone who buys Dragon from the friendly folks at my local gaming store.

When I looked at the Dragon annuals I mostly liked what I saw and purchased them.

When I looked at issue 300 I liked the template version of the undead enough to buy the issue. The sealed section seemed like an advertising gimmick, silly, but in no way offended me. I really don't see why there were so many complaints.

In general I buy about one issue in three, judging by what general D&D articles I deem useful. In that regard #300 passed the test.

I did not buy the D20 Special, and in fact did not even know that it was the replacement for the annual until I asked the clerk where the annual was. Yes, I did feel that it read like an advertisement, and yes, I was somewhat offended when I found out that it was the annual for that year. Given how new D20 was at the time it is not surprising that a D20 overview sold well. It is also not surprising that those who wanted a little more meat would be disappointed. (The cries of 'More Crunch' echo through the troll caves.)

I can understand the confusion on the parts of those who purchased 3 year subscriptions, the English language is sometimes a bit vague in regards to multiple sets of plurals.

I don't understand the reasoning behind the decision to ditch the annuals on the grounds of 'We did it wrong this time, so let's quit'. I think the majority of folks liked the annuals a great deal, I know that I did, I also know that I bought them.

I am also, however, unlikely to get a subscription under any circumstances, preferring to judge each issue on its own merits. The occasional missed issue is a smaller problem for me than issues that I don't use.

No offense to the editors of Dragon magazine is intended, I use this same method in regards to all the magazines I read, the only ones I subscribe to are National Geographic and Scientific American, both of whom I decided to subscribe to only after 2 years of purchasing every issue.

I hope that the annuals make a comeback, I also hope that they will be included with the subscriptions, I can understand subscribers being annoyed at being excluded. If the annuals are as useful as the ones that proceeded the D20 Special I will be pleased to buy them.

The Auld Grump
'Strange ticking packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things...'