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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DDK" data-source="post: 594061" data-attributes="member: 6469">Hmm... first, let me just state that I mean no offence to any of the posters here with what I'm about to say.What I've seen in this thread, is a lot of guesswork, based on conjecture. Doing all these little math exercises when you don't have the full story is about as useful as pouring water on ice with the intention of getting more ice.One of the posts, in particular, made me realize just how out of touch people were with reality. In response to the price increase, proof was raised as follows:I honestly mean no offence, Bryon, but that was 20 years ago. The fact that the price hasn't incraesed significantly (a dollar or two is not a significant increase) is a credit to Paizo. 20 years of inflation have only resulted in a net increase of $1 on the cover price, yet the quality of the magazine physically, not to mention the contents, increasing quite dramatically. The magazine as it is now is at the upper end of quality as far as printing is concerned. 20 years ago, it was at the bottom end of quality.From a consumer's point of view, I can understand the frustration and confusion and even anger. I've found that the RPG community can be incredibily demanding and harsh in it's criticisms though.The more and more I delve into the publishing aspect of the hobby, in a long, slow effort to learn all I can, the more and more I see it from the publishers point of view. Dragon and Dungeon have had a strange, odyssean journey throughout the years however now they are in the hands of a professional publisher who's profit margins are on the line. One has to expect business decisions to occassionally conflict or override some fans preferences.I stopped picking up Dragon and Dungeon magazines when, IIRC, Kim Mohan took over. Even though the physical quality and production of the magazine had a dramatic jump, I just didn't like the style. That, and 2nd ed. was falling very quickly out of favour with me. But when 3rd ed. came around, I started looking at the mags again and noted a huge increase in overall quality and style. Since Paizo took over production, I haven't noticed any decrease in quality regardless of the fact that it has gone from a marketing tool that was expected to, at best, break even, to a product of a publishing company that has to make a profit.That alone indicates that Paizo cares a great deal about the fans. To maintain that quality has had to have meant sacrifices made at Paizo. And here I see again a genuine effort to maintain quality whilst making the magazine viable.So whilst I can understand how people could be upset at change, what I can't understand is SOME peoples vehemence with which they criticise the changes. At the very least, Paizo deserves CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. What that means, is that along with your gripes, you provide reasons for those gripes and ways in which you could be satisfied. Some have done that, but others have simply criticized and bitched and whinged like... well, I won't go there.On the matter of Polyhedron, I can't honestly answer one way or another, having not seen an issue. However on the topic of Erik Mona, I'd like to say one or two things. As a recent addition to the legions of Greyhawk fanatics, I've delved into a history replete with fan based works dedicated to the restoration or at least life-support of the setting. Among the most active of the 'higher ups', was Erik Mona, who it would seem from all I've garnered, devoted a lot of time and effort into keeping the setting alive for the many fans around the world. Some even say he's the sole person responsible for the rebirth of the setting and it's subsequent popularity as a 'Living' campaign. Whether true or not, I don't know, but what I do know is that he has exhibited nothing short of excellence in his devotion to the setting and the materials he has produced for it, whether as a fan or a professional.Therefore, I can only assume that as the editor of Polyhedron, that quality shines through there as well. So to the naysayers of Poly, I would say give it a second chance, look over it with fresh, unglazed eyes and take into account that not only is this material produced to gain your money, but it is produced by people who genuinely care about the hobby and you as a fan.And no, I'm not a Dragon, Dungeon, Polyhedron, Johnny or Erik fanboy (as Erik can yet attest since I've argued with him online, lol). I just call it like I see it.</blockquote>

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