Goodman Games to publish a 4e print magazine under the GSL

[Filcher]

I think their initial releases were a little rocky, but the later stuff has totally come up to speed. The Dragonborn book is totally solid and I played in the DDXP version of Death Dealer --- maps were suitably large enough for us to get our butts kicked.

 

[Jack99]

I think their initial releases were a little rocky, but the later stuff has totally come up to speed. The Dragonborn book is totally solid and I played in the DDXP version of Death Dealer --- maps were suitably large enough for us to get our butts kicked.

Could you tell us some more about the Death Dealer thing?

 

[frankthedm]

At first this sounds really good.

$2 sounds good for a 32 page issue. Like "here's 16 bucks, subscribe for the first 2 years" good*. But what's the percentage of ads? I mean, advertising is a reality of magazines, but out of 32 pages, how much will be content?

And how self contained is the content? It's Goodman's magazine so pimping one's own stuff should be expected, but paying for something that is mostly excerpts and previews of upcoming releases is a whole 'nother thing.

*Does Goodman take Paypal?

 

[Zaukrie]

The Dragonborn book was/is great.

I'm looking forward to this. I'll let my FLGS know I want this through them.

did I miss a release date?

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

At first this sounds really good.

$2 sounds good for a 32 page issue. Like "here's 16 bucks, subscribe for the first 2 years" good*. But what's the percentage of ads? I mean, advertising is a reality of magazines, but out of 32 pages, how much will be content?

I guarantee you will get your money's worth for content...and then some. The first issue has at least 32 pages of solid content (issue one is coming in at around 48 pages total, actually).

And how self contained is the content? It's Goodman's magazine so pimping one's own stuff should be expected, but paying for something that is mostly excerpts and previews of upcoming releases is a whole 'nother thing.

Great question. Yes, some features in the magazine will tie into Goodman products occasionally, but the goal of Level Up is to provide 4E material useful for all gamers, not just those that buy Goodman products. The vast majority of the articles will be setting neutral, and even those that do tie into Goodman products or Aereth will still be useful for any player or DM.

BD

 

[Mistwell]

Well, to put a somewhat different perspective on it, most monthly comic books from DC and Marvel are 32 pages in length (that's counting the ads as pages). DC's books currently retail at $2.99. Marvel's are moving up in price to $3.99 (though I'm not sure if that's for all their comics or just their big ones). Most comics read rather quickly, much faster than a magazine (that's not to disparage their quality; for example, I loved jonrog1's Blue Beetle work, gladly spending the money on it). $2.00 for 32 pages of gaming stuff sounds like a steal to me.

A four color art book filled with actual art and writing (which is what a comic book is) is FAR FAR FAR more expensive to do than a magazine.

Comic Books are actually somewhat underpriced for their print run.

 

[Phaezen]

Blackdirge: Will this be available through alliance, so I can tell my LGS to keep an eye out when they do orders?

Phaezen

 

[SteveC]

I don't mean to be rude or anything, but are we having a debate over the relative value of a product priced at $2. Really? When was the last time there was any gaming product priced like that?

I don't know if I'll be a subscriber to the new magazine, but at $2 you can bet I'll pick up an issue or two and have a look. Perhaps I'll forgo a Red Bull for a single day to cover the costs...

--Steve

 

[Mark]

I don't mean to be rude or anything, but are we having a debate over the relative value of a product priced at $2. Really? When was the last time there was any gaming product priced like that?

Dice are the only thing that come to mind. Excellent price point. I wonder if they will allow WotC to advertise in it so they can have a print magazine opportunity to reach that segment of the market?

 

[Tewligan]

It's only 32 pages, though--pretty scant for a magazine.

Of course, the first issue of The Dragon was also only 32 pages, and it went on to do pretty well.