Rate 4e Dragon Magazine

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Not trying to be dense--and I realize you've already said it's irrational --I'm just trying to understand...

What's stopping you from just not clicking on the "Dragon" link until the full issue is available? That makes it the exact same experience as if the full version was the only version.

I see this differnces:
1) The final result was always a paper product, not just online.

2) The discussions on the Dragon and Dungeon material still start earlier. If Plane Sailing or anyone else would delay reading the eDragon until it has been published as its monthly compilation, others would still already know what is in it. The entire way on how you can discuss the eDragon changes.

But I think the eDragon - so far - has one very unusual component. Each article gets its own thread on the web. I can't remember this happening with the old Dragon & Dungeons. Maybe this will ebb down once it's subscription only, but maybe it won't. (And if I may say so: If it doesn't, this will be one of the best advertisements for WotC, at least online.)

 

[VictorC]

Why? Seriously, that's a pretty bold and, IMO, outrageous statement to make, and I'm genuinely curious about your reasoning.

While Paizo had control of the magazine I thought it sucked pretty hard. There was never content that made me want to use it. It was all very mehh.

It received several different chances, two subscriptions and several impulse purchases at the magazine rack. It consistently failed to even slightly interest me.

In the very short time it has been free on wizards web sight it has (contrary to Paizo's performance) interested me, additionally, I have been using (and preparing to use) a lot of the material featured. Which I can truly say, quite literally, never happened under Paizo.

I hope that clears up any confusion.

 

[JeffB]

But I think the eDragon - so far - has one very unusual component. Each article gets its own thread on the web. I can't remember this happening with the old Dragon & Dungeons.

I believe this to be a sympton of the GSL debacle mainly- At 3E's release the magazines were still in print, and more importantly there was far more support materials to talk about- from 3PP.

With 4E, there is far less to talk about, though WOTCs print products and a few 3PP products are finally starting to roll out. I suspect Dragon & Dungeon are THE main line of support for many 4E fans because it's easily picked up by everyone, and free (so far). I imagine once the magazines are being charged for, the article threads will be less common if not disappear for the most part.

 

[El Mahdi]

...I imagine once the magazines are being charged for, the article threads will be less common if not disappear for the most part.

You take that back! If those threads disappear, we won't have as much to rant or flame about! That was a really mean thing to say!

 

[JeffB]

You take that back! If those threads disappear, we won't have as much to rant or flame about! That was a really mean thing to say!

I have the utmost confidence that many ENWorlders will find something to fill in the gap

 

[Najo]

Although I like the content so far (much more than Paizo's) I give the overall 2 stars. Here is why:

1) I agree completely with Plane Sailing about the magazine releasing in bits and pieces. This is easier to read, but I see an article I like in the table of contents and it is not out yet. This really bums me out. I don't like not being to enjoy the articles in the order I prefer while the content is still fresh. So the waiting until the end of the month to read the magazine is not a preferred option.

2) I miss the print magazines alot. They were more relaxing to read before. It is a big deal to be able to carry the magazine around, lounge on the couch, read on the "throne", take while travelling, read it in bed, etc. Now that is gone. I have to read material on my computer enough of the day with work, websites and video games. Dragon (and Dungeon) being online is exhausting a bit. I also don't use computers at the gaming table, so the material is less accessible as a PDF.

3) WOTC has been hit and miss on content release dates. This makes me not want to pay for the materials as I feel I cannot set my schedule to an article release. Also, because specific articles do not have release dates and you do not know the order the magazine is being released in, this feeling is worse. At first I was really excited about the magazines. As time is going on, they are more and more frustrating to pay attention to as it feels to chaotic.

4) The subscription has me hot and cold to. I want to pay for quality material, but I do not like the idea of paying for what I described above.

 

[LightPhoenix]

I gave it a three.

From a player's standpoint, I'd have a big problem paying for content that I would never use, such as traps and monster ecologies and such. I know, I know, Dragon is supposed to be about crunch, rather than the PC/DM breakdown it used to be. That doesn't magically make the DM crunch useful. As it stands now, since it's free, that's not a big issue.

I'm also a little bothered by the proof-reading on the articles. What I do like is that the team is on the boards listening and getting these fixed by the end of the month.

If Dragon went to pay-per-article, I'd be much more willing to give it a 4 or 5.

 

[TerraDave]

It is. I feel pretty similar to your ratings.

Cheers!

clearly, great minds think alike.

 

[El Mahdi]

So far, this is the breakdown on rating both Dungeon and Dragon magazines.

Dragon = 3.28 stars

Dungeon = 2.57 stars

This places Dragon slightly above average, and Dungeon slightly below average.





P.S: Before anyone feels the need to point out the obvious, I and everyone else on ENWorld already know that this isn't scientifically accurate. If you feel the need to post in order to show your superior knowledge of statistics, PLEASE CURB YOUR URGE! I and most other people on ENWorld, SIMPLY DON'T CARE! We do not want another statistics flamewar.

 

[MerricB]

I believe this to be a sympton of the GSL debacle mainly- At 3E's release the magazines were still in print, and more importantly there was far more support materials to talk about- from 3PP.

No - it's because they're individual articles on the web with rules content.

Dragon magazine as a print magazine also disenfranchised many of its readers from participating in such conversations. In my case, by the time I received the magazine it was 2-3 months after everyone else had got it.