[Poly] What's happening to Polyhedron/Dungeon?

[JeffB]

the cheap SOB inside me keep telling me that I'm not paying for $7 worth of material every month.

Well now it seems the shoe is on the other foot, because that's how alot of Dungeon fans including myself have felt for awhile now.

 

[Paul_Klein]

Mapmaker: I don't mean to derail this thread, but I've a quick question for ya.

For your three YT-1300 deckplans (that includes the Falcon), what sources did you use? I ask because there has been a lot of controversy over that ship's deck plans over the years.

Thanks Mr. West!

 

[Kwyn]

That way, they will lose the new readers and subscribers who bought Dungeon for Poly (like me), and in less than two years, Paizo will have to cancel the circulation due to loss of revenue and debts incurred to maintain that magazine.

Thats way beyond "brutally harsh and ominous". It's petty and mean spirited. For you to come right out and root for the company to go out of business, thereby killing both the magazine you have enjoyed for years as well as the one enjoyed by an entirely separate community is a sad commentary.

Sorched earth thinking of "If I can't have it then no one will" is flat out wrong.

I understand you are upset, but your current stance is indefensible.

 

[boschdevil]

I don't understand what you are asking me - is it: Do I suspect that Dungeon is in financial trouble?

If that is your question, the answer is I do not know. I do know the magazines I subscribed to that disappeared did not refund any of my money - even after numerous written requests.

You do make a good point though, If they go under in 20 months I am still ahead. Worthy of consideration.

You got the jist of my question. I guess that my point is that if you think negatively and treat the situation in a negative fashion, then negative outcomes usually occur. Other than that, I think you get my point on the subscription as well.

All I'm asking is that you think it over. I'm really don't mean to have my statements come off as inflammatory.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

But at what price? As I said before, the cheap SOB inside me keep telling me that I'm not paying for $7 worth of material every month.

Sure you are. Nobody else prints modules with a similar amount of content for less than even $10, and the Polyhedron content (which I have been championing just as long as you have) only adds to that.

But you knew that. What you mean, of course, is that the Polyhedron content may not be worth $7 on its own. That may be true. Even in issues which are Poly-heavy, the Dungeon content easily equalled that of just about any other print module, none of which, again, are less than $10.

I'd say that there isn't going to be a clear-cut solution that pleases anyone 100% and keeps the magazine in print. Anyone who would rather have it go away rather than have one side or the other in the magazine at all, or have one side dominate the magazine - just stop reading it now. Pretend it's gone already. If you want to cancel a subscription, do so. Maybe Dungeon will eventually become the mag you want, maybe not. Maybe another mag will come along to take up the slack. Who knows? All I know is that I'm pretty picky about the magazines I read also; I generally don't have subscriptions to mags (Dragon and Dungeon were notable exceptions; I had subscriptions for years). I look at them on the newsstand, and if I don't like the look of an issue that month, I don't buy it. I figure if it's a magazine I generally like (say, Popular Science), that an issue will come along eventually I will like, and I'll buy it then. If not, I'll find something else to read. Especially now with the internet, one can find tons of adventures and any other kind of game content one might want, much of it all for free.

 

[Ranger REG]

Thats way beyond "brutally harsh and ominous". It's petty and mean spirited. For you to come right out and root for the company to go out of business, thereby killing both the magazine you have enjoyed for years as well as the one enjoyed by an entirely separate community is a sad commentary.

No. I'm not rooting for Paizo to go out of business. I'm rooting for Dungeon (without Poly) to run out of circulation. I mean, even a smart businessman knows that when a product line does not generate profit, the only thing you can do is cut it off, just like they did when Star Wars Gamer circulation had to be cancelled. I know they don't want to, but that's the only way to stay in business.

Sorched earth thinking of "If I can't have it then no one will" is flat out wrong.

Yeah, like I'm getting support and sympathy from all you Dungeon readers prior to my statement above.

I'm giving you a chance to change my mind.

I understand you are upset, but your current stance is indefensible.

Sometimes I say how I feel with no inhibition. I can no longer be restrained nor diplomatic when I am already at a point of frustration.

Look, you guys got your magazine back. Congratulations. You even got my surrender. When I lost all heart about it, what is there for me to lose? So I lash back.

If all you Dungeon readers can be fair and compromising as I have shown in the past, then that would at least change my mind about you all. But in brutal honesty, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Ranger REG]

I'd say that there isn't going to be a clear-cut solution that pleases anyone 100% and keeps the magazine in print. Anyone who would rather have it go away rather than have one side or the other in the magazine at all, or have one side dominate the magazine - just stop reading it now. Pretend it's gone already. If you want to cancel a subscription, do so. Maybe Dungeon will eventually become the mag you want, maybe not. Maybe another mag will come along to take up the slack. Who knows? All I know is that I'm pretty picky about the magazines I read also; I generally don't have subscriptions to mags (Dragon and Dungeon were notable exceptions; I had subscriptions for years). I look at them on the newsstand, and if I don't like the look of an issue that month, I don't buy it. I figure if it's a magazine I generally like (say, Popular Science), that an issue will come along eventually I will like, and I'll buy it then. If not, I'll find something else to read. Especially now with the internet, one can find tons of adventures and any other kind of game content one might want, much of it all for free.

Perhaps I am glad I do not subscribe ever, even if the deal is good. That allows me to decide whether the issue is worth purchasing, month-by-month.

I know all about the "if you don't like it, don't buy it" credo. I have preached that many times before. But I guess, I simply want to vent and voice my frustration and my feeling on all of these. I mean, if I don't speak for Poly from the reader's camp, who will? Trust me, I'd rather someone else do the talking because I'm all worn out.

 

[Metus]

Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill.

I've lurked in all the Dungeon threads, but I figured with me being a subscriber I should add my two cents.

Erik, thank you for trying your hardest to resolve this issue. For me, I've always been fine with Dungeon irregardless of any changes. I think I can remember it being on the slim side once or twice, but I wasn't overly concerned or anything. It's a magazine. I enjoy what I'm getting, and always have been. Good luck, and keep up the good work.

 

[Painfully]

I know all about the "if you don't like it, don't buy it" credo. I have preached that many times before. But I guess, I simply want to vent and voice my frustration and my feeling on all of these.

It's funny to see Ranger change his stance when the tide is changing.

I understand exactly why you want to fight hard, Ranger. Because without a voice, it's easy to see something you love start to fall apart. That's exactly what people on the Dungeon side of things have been saying for so long as well, although perhaps not so directly.

I've taken your advice and let go of my subscription to Dungeon/Poly thanks to issues like #99 and #101. I'm looking forward to Erik's changes, but will wait to see some stability at Paizo before I give them my money again.

It seems we are all at the mercy of Erik's perogative these days, and most recently it is towards Dungeon fans. Talk is cheap. I'm waiting to see what I see in print.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I mean, if I don't speak for Poly from the reader's camp, who will? Trust me, I'd rather someone else do the talking because I'm all worn out.

As I said above, it's not just you. I've been very vocal in my support of Dungeon (and Dragon) for a long time.