Way to get girls (?!): the new column for the new Dragon.
- Thread starter TerraDave
- Start date
delericho
Legend
If that were a blog entry, then I would be interested enough to read on to see what else she had written, especially if I had nothing else to do.
However, as an article in a supposedly professionally-produced magazine (even online, and even while in the "free teaser" phase) it was rather poor. It was overly long, took too long getting towards its point, and featured too much that was irrelevant. It struck me as akin to Wil Save, but where Wil Save was tightly constrained in terms of word count, that does not appear to be the case here, to its detriment.
Additionally, I have to question who the target audience is here? The writing style would seem to aim it at younger female gamers. Of course, given the current spread in the gamer populace, this would suggest that they're aiming it at all the new female gamers they're hoping to attract going forward. On the other hand, the point of the article would seem to be "change happens", which would aim it at older, established gamers who are having a problem with the 4e changes - most of whom are males in their thirties and above.
Plus, there's also the small problem that things were better under that first teacher, Mrs Dancy, than they were under the new regime, and that Mr Mohan's efforts to make things better were to apply fancy dress, rather than to deal with the actual, underlying problems. Which isn't exactly an inspiring thing to say to those concerned about all the changes.
However, as an article in a supposedly professionally-produced magazine (even online, and even while in the "free teaser" phase) it was rather poor. It was overly long, took too long getting towards its point, and featured too much that was irrelevant. It struck me as akin to Wil Save, but where Wil Save was tightly constrained in terms of word count, that does not appear to be the case here, to its detriment.
Additionally, I have to question who the target audience is here? The writing style would seem to aim it at younger female gamers. Of course, given the current spread in the gamer populace, this would suggest that they're aiming it at all the new female gamers they're hoping to attract going forward. On the other hand, the point of the article would seem to be "change happens", which would aim it at older, established gamers who are having a problem with the 4e changes - most of whom are males in their thirties and above.
Plus, there's also the small problem that things were better under that first teacher, Mrs Dancy, than they were under the new regime, and that Mr Mohan's efforts to make things better were to apply fancy dress, rather than to deal with the actual, underlying problems. Which isn't exactly an inspiring thing to say to those concerned about all the changes.
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wedgeski
Adventurer
That's a great article. If that's the shape of some of the regular columns to come in Dungeon, I'm very pleased. The magazine should be about more than just crunch and fluff, it should be about the people who play the game as well. They're the heart of it, after all. That's why I liked Wil Save (but then Wil Wheaton is a very good writer), and that's why I like this.
"Could someone who smells like rosemary and mint be that vindictive?"
"I won't be fooled by pretty hair and nice penmanship!"
"Life Lesson #879: That which does not kill you makes you brownies."
All great lines. I've certainly been tempted to pick up her book and judging by this I probably will.
"Could someone who smells like rosemary and mint be that vindictive?"
"I won't be fooled by pretty hair and nice penmanship!"
"Life Lesson #879: That which does not kill you makes you brownies."
All great lines. I've certainly been tempted to pick up her book and judging by this I probably will.
hazel monday
First Post
Hussar said:
Done and done. Actually that handy lil motto right there sums up my feeling on the DI in general pretty nicely.
Simia Saturnalia
First Post
Hmm.
Not a bad read, if long-winded and kinda livejournal in places. I have a great love for the "writes how people talk" style, so I certainly didn't not enjoy it as a read.
As an article ostensibly related to D&D, it really did feel like a D&D community LJ post. Lots of "me!", very little "D&D!". Took far too long to get the useful gaming advice (as wgreen pointed out) for me, though. I like my Dragon material to be pretty much focused on gaming. I have bookshelves for enjoyable reads; I get Dragon for game stuff. Hell, the only Dragon fiction I've ever read was the Feast For Crows spoiler and something about a skeleton army in the desert, because the splash page's art grabbed me (skeleton half-immersed in an oasis, pouring water down his throat, with a living human reflection).
I don't want that 5 minutes of my life back, but I won't find myself thinking fondly of the article for days to come.
Not a bad read, if long-winded and kinda livejournal in places. I have a great love for the "writes how people talk" style, so I certainly didn't not enjoy it as a read.
As an article ostensibly related to D&D, it really did feel like a D&D community LJ post. Lots of "me!", very little "D&D!". Took far too long to get the useful gaming advice (as wgreen pointed out) for me, though. I like my Dragon material to be pretty much focused on gaming. I have bookshelves for enjoyable reads; I get Dragon for game stuff. Hell, the only Dragon fiction I've ever read was the Feast For Crows spoiler and something about a skeleton army in the desert, because the splash page's art grabbed me (skeleton half-immersed in an oasis, pouring water down his throat, with a living human reflection).
I don't want that 5 minutes of my life back, but I won't find myself thinking fondly of the article for days to come.
