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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(un)reason" data-source="post: 5331351" data-attributes="member: 27780">Dragon Magazine Issue 201: January 1994part 6/6Through the looking glass: The impression that win or lose, the damage has already been done in the realm of minis is reinforced this month, with another rather gloomy editorial on Robert's part. This hobby is no fun anymore. Another reason why CCG's probably seem very inviting to many people about now. They fill a very similar niche in terms of highly portable modular impulse purchases which you can play games with, or just collect for the pleasure of it. Jumping ship from one to the other seems like quite a logical option. But we all know fun isn't logical, so there's going to be a lot of embittered people left behind by this sea change, wondering why the hobby shops have changed their space allocations so dramatically. Still, there are plenty of minis coming out, even if they aren't enjoying the sales they used to. A pair of high-rise buildings, one in good condition, but the other nearly ruined. You may have to swap one for the other if the PC's have heavy weaponry. Another diorama of adventurers intruding into a tomb and finding the inhabitants aren't going to take having their stuff nicked lying down. Another trio of licensed miniatures from the dream park game, that don't get good marks at all. The witch-king of Angmar, about to meet his demise at the hands of a woman and a hobbit. Yeah, no man can kill you. That only means what it says. Four warriors, and three bards. A creepy thing emerging from a dumpster. A werewolf with a gun and a wand. Fricken glass walkers, always confounding the stereotypes with their newfangled tricks. Some not nearly so innovative Sabbat vampires going raar. A spectator and a death kiss. Neither are as scary as regular beholders, but you shouldn't get complacent. And a full set of 10 adventurers. Not often you see a party that big anymore. Oh, for the days of the companions of the lance. Finally, we have a review of Warhammer 40k 2nd edition. Another of those things that says we may be catching up with the present, but we're still nowhere near there yet. It does get a very good review though, with the clarity of the instructions improved from previous offerings. With the other companies out the way and them gaining increasing control over their own distribution, they're free to steam ahead and hook newbies. TSR Previews: Another slow month next month. Al Qadim is up to ALQ5: Ruined kingdoms. Off to Nog and Kadar in all their ruined Ashton-Smithsonian glory. Mind the magic items you find there aren't sanity destroying or cursed. Northwards in the Realms, we get the 8th book in the Harper series, Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham. Well, who better when elves are involved. Dragonlance releases it's 4th villain book, Heldrick the Theocrat by Ellen Dodge Severson. Neither names I've heard of before. Man, they're getting obscure here. Ravenloft tackles golems, in Van Richten's guide to the created. Now there's a monster that doesn't seem immediately gothic, but just say frankenstein and most people'll get it. Do you dare meddle with forces man ought not to wot of? Ahahahahaha!!!!! And finally, our generic product is another deck of cards. The deck of encounters'll help you easily generate packages of monsters and treasure. Oh, go on then. This time round, I think Allen Varney takes the top spot, with two great articles. The magazine as a whole starts off very well, and then takes an abrupt downturn near the middle, however. With both the introduction of TCG's, and the downfall of minis getting plenty of screentime, things seem a lot less optimistic than they did this time last year. TSR's demise is no longer some distant shadow on the horizon, but something that draws nearer every month. Will anyone realise this before it's too late, or will it come as a shock to everyone inside the company? Keep on rowin down that river, whatever the weather and hope we don't capsize.</blockquote>

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