Where the #$%@ is Gaming Frontiers?

[GF Jeff]

Howdy folks.

You may have noticed that we haven't been saying much lately, and with good reason. Both United Playtest and Gaming Frontiers are undergoing some changes we felt were necessary in order to continue supporting the industry in the best way possible. While I cannot reveal the details of the changes with the book, I would like to announce that I am bowing out of my duties as Head Writer / Assistant Editor for Gaming Frontiers for the time being, and dedicating my efforts towards more writing (for things d20 and otherwise). With several projects from Mystic Eye Games under my belt (including the awesome new Blight Magic, plug, plug) and an upcoming Kenzer sourcebook on my laptop, I had to make a decision regarding personal priorities, and editing other folks' work just isn't one of them.

That being said, I think everyone here should keep an eye out for exciting new announcements from the good folks at United Playtest regarding the future of Gaming Frontiers. I think you'll like what you see.

P.S. - I'll still be hanging around on the forums here at EN World...but I think I need a new nickname. Any suggestions?

P.P.S - "Butthead" is already taken. I checked.

Jeffrey S. Carter
The Freelancer Formerly Known As Assitant Editor / Head Writer of Gaming Frontiers
www.gamingfrontiers.com

FEED THE MONKEY

 

[Morrus]

As I understand it, GF is going PDF, is it not?

 

[Christian Walker]

Howdy folks.

....I would like to announce that I am bowing out of my duties as Head Writer / Assistant Editor for Gaming Frontiers for the time being, and dedicating my efforts towards more writing (for things d20 and otherwise).

Man, I'm sorry to hear that GF is having troubles. Print rags for RPGs have had a tough go of it. Shadis, Challenge, Arcane, Autoduel Quarterly, and many others have all gone the way or the dodo.

Pyramid, on the other hand, has shown that publications can have a new life online. I think Pyramid is nifty because of the playtest material and most importantly to me, it's html rather than .pdf. The html is easier to print, faster to access,and lends itself to a quick search engine.

I hope GF comes back in some form and I wish you lots of luck with your freelancing.

 

[JohnNephew]

As I understand it, GF is going PDF, is it not?

Informed sources tell me the next issue, at least, will still be print. I think it should be on sale in October.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I hope that the next issue is indeed print. With D20 Weekly just out, it'll be an interesting time to test the waters.

If it does go PDF, I wonder what the price would be and if they'd still get the same amount of publisher participation.

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

I hate to say "I told you so" but looks like the ol' Kap'n was right all along. Shame on you for doubting my Nostradamus-like precognitive abilities!

 

[GF Jeff]

Two things

1) Yes, Volume 3 will most likely still be in print form, and Mr. Nephew is right about the drop date . Beyond that, you'll have to wait and see.

2) Kaptain Kantrip, you may have been right, but you're still a punk. I couldn't help but laugh at your little jab, and now resent you for it. Roll initiative, sir.

As a side note, I hope no one is taking my announcement as the first nail in GF's coffin. Gaming Frontiers still enjoys extremely strong support from almost every d20 publisher out there, sales have been steady, and things are a far, far cry from being over. I just wanted everyone to be aware of why we had been so darn silent over the past few months.

Still haven't changed my nick. Someone actually e-mailed me and suggested I change it to just "Jeff". Yeah...thanks for the inspiration. I'd have never come up with that one on my lonesome.

Jeffrey S. Carter
Feces Slinging Monkey
Jumping Jack Flash
PS2 Maniac (Dynasty Warriors 3 RULES).

 

[Morrus]

Informed sources tell me the next issue, at least, will still be print. I think it should be on sale in October.

"Informed sources", eh?

 

[Ranger REG]

Oh, well. At least Campaign magazine has finally released #3 for the price of five American dollars. The issue's theme: Espionage.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

You know, I feel bad for this project, especially because it's a local (Miami) company. I've met Jeff and soem of the others at UP and they are as cool as any gamer can be.
Unfortunately what Jeff says is very true, there is no real demand for the type of product that Gaming Frontiers was delivering. I feel that a bi-monthly magazine format would have been more effective and timely, considering the hiatus Campaign magazine suffered after Gen Con last year.
The GF magazine is top notch, there's no denying that, but at $20 I rather buy a sourcebook or various magazines. My big issue with GF, the reason why I could not bring myself to purchase it, is the inclusion of "old" material (meaning material that is/will be already printed in its own book, as opposed to a packed deluxe-format publication full of new and exclusive OGC material. I understand that publishers want to "sneak-peek" their products, but it was my experience that by the time GF came out, the actual products were already out, so I had no need for a preview; I could just page through the actual book.
Hopefully not all is lost, because I would like to see UP and GF endure; the product was good, it just wasn't what the market needed at the moment. Perhaps the future will bring possibilities where the talent behind GF can be used towards a project that is more what the market needs.
Here's wishing prosperity to all of you.