Knights of the Dinner Table Magazine

[ColonelHardisson]

As far as the Rants all I can say is it's a numbers game.

If I sense more people are responding to a feature than opposed to it....?

Well, it's a no brainer really. I'll keep running with what seems to be working.

If the winds change and I think a feature is no longer working? I'll cut it.

I'm not THAT loyal.

Just to clarify, I'm not calling for the rant to be cut. I know people like it. I was just saying that I, personally, don't have any use for it. But I'm not narcissistic enough to think a magazine has to tailor itself to my taste on every page. That's why I like KoDT - it covers a broad spectrum, especially considering the page count.

And can we get a pdf or print book of the various HackMaster magic items found in KoDT?

 

[LawfulGoodThief]

My guess is that it's popular because there really isn't anything else like it. If and when a truly good, professional-caliber writer starts doing a gamer-focused movie column, you'll see a waning of interest in the rant, unless it rises to the challenge. Which could happen, since competition often makes everyone better.

Nah, KODT has had plenty of movie review articles before in its long run. I find Noah Antwiler's articles a vast improvement over his predecessor (IIRC, Wil Upchurch).

 

[Jolly_Blackburn]

Just to clarify, I'm not calling for the rant to be cut. I know people like it. I was just saying that I, personally, don't have any use for it. But I'm not narcissistic enough to think a magazine has to tailor itself to my taste on every page. That's why I like KoDT - it covers a broad spectrum, especially considering the page count.

Hey it's all good. We actually invite criticism/feedback in the magazine each month. And we get it. So I take no offense if someone calls for a feature to be dropped. (just don't ask them to drop ME!!).

We've tried to make KODT the Reader's Digest of gaming. Cram enough between the front and back cover to make the reader he has gotten his money worth even if they flip past a feature or two that doesn't appeal to them.

Heck there are a few things in the magazine I personally don't enjoy but I know others do.

And can we get a pdf or print book of the various HackMaster magic items found in KoDT?

I believe such a compilation is planned. Along with others. When I have something firm to announce I'll make sure the word gets out.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

While you're here, JB, I'd just like to say that I like the Fuzzy Knights. They remind me as much of certain fellow gamers just as much as the Black Hands or main foursome.

 

[Jolly_Blackburn]

While you're here, JB, I'd just like to say that I like the Fuzzy Knights. They remind me as much of certain fellow gamers just as much as the Black Hands or main foursome.

Thanks for the feedback. FK is a popular feature.

It suffered a bit in KODT because it's not in color and the greyscale strips weren't very sharp. But our new printer is doing a much nicer job on the half tones.

So I think more readers are getting into it now. Noah does a great job on them.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Jolly, since "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" characters have become stat-less (in large part), I was wondering a couple things. First, would you guys consider making a collection of the HackMaster statted characters available, along the lines of the magic items I was asking about above? Second, would you consider posting HackMaster NPCs from time to time, either in the magazine or online? It's always useful to have premade NPC statblocks.

 

[RichGreen]

Hi,

I buy KoDT for the comic strips which I love and like a few others, just skim the articles. However, I always read the Gamer's Rant on the movies -- it's generally pretty entertaining.

Cheers


Richard

 

[Jolly_Blackburn]

Jolly, since "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" characters have become stat-less (in large part), I was wondering a couple things. First, would you guys consider making a collection of the HackMaster statted characters available, along the lines of the magic items I was asking about above? Second, would you consider posting HackMaster NPCs from time to time, either in the magazine or online? It's always useful to have premade NPC statblocks.

We've been wrestling with the issue of stated/non-statted (i.e. generic) characters for GBU.
It's a very popular feature.

Problem with running stats is that the characters are almost immediately deemed 'unusable' by every reader who doesn't run that particular system. And readers have expressed an extreme dislike for dual-stated features.

So it's been a balancing act. (and I continue to weigh options -- so it's by no means decided once and for all either way).

Currently I've been going with 'mostly' generifc GBUS with an occasional HM or d20 stated group tossed in. For example 126 had three characters stated to Aces and Eights. 127 has three HM characters. A few issues ago we ran some d20 GBUs.

Another option I've considered...

Running the GBU's with no stats and then providing d20 and HM stats via pdf on our website. Not sure if that'll happen but I'm leaning toward it. I'd also be open to acceptings stats from Readers for characters presented in past issues and making those available.

In answer to your question -- yes we've been thinking of doing a GBU compilation (as well as compilations for several of the other features. I'm guessing but I'd say we've been running GBU for 60 to 70 issues. That's 120 to 140 characters. I think it would be a nice thing to have on the shelf.

We have so many projects on our plate at the moment I'm not sure when it'll come out.

Just a few weeks ago we sent Aces and Eights, a hard back Kalamar book, a HackMaster module and six volumes of Knights of the Dinner Table: Bundles of Trouble to press.

Proably the largest print run/grouping we've had in five years.

Those books will be staggered for release over the course of the next six months while we develop additional product. To be honest I'm not sure if any of the KODT feature-compilations are on the list for this year. But we'll keep readers posted.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Personally, I prefer things like the GBU to be as system neutral as possible, but then again, I play in a lot of systems.

 

[BlueBlackRed]

One thing I definitely like about KoDT is that the crew making it is always willing to change and to listen to their fans.

They ask readers what they like and don't like and make cuts accordingly. They then replace the cut articles with something new.