Wil Wheaton Drops Dungeon Column

[DonTadow]

I think you owe Erik Mona an apology, he's done wonders with the magazines, and he caught a lot of flak at the start for including Wil Save. The fact he asked for it to involve the PURPOSE of the magazine more, is not a "do D&D or get out" type of situation. If Wil can't write something peripherally D&D related once a month, then he's not really in the right place to write the column I think.

I liked a few of the columns, though I felt like some of them were too similar to each other, rather than something new and insightful. I won't miss it when it's gone.

In case no one actually has read them, there are plenty of good quality 1 and 2 page articles in the back of Dungeon right now. In this last issue, the 2 page "camping in a dungeon" article was much more useful and good to read than the Wil Save "Orc & Pie" article to me.

When I said hack of an editor I was talking about in my own instance, no dissing of Mona. Sorr y if ti was interpreted like that way. I still think that an editor should always stand behind his writers and I felt that, from Wills blog, he had probably been hamming on him about it fora couple of months.

Again difference of opinion. Alot of the stuff in those articles you can get free online.

 

[devilbat]

I'm just another voice who is dissapointed that Will Save is leaving Dungeon. It was always the first thing I read when I received a new issue.

I agree that it may be better suited to Dragon, but I didn't really care. There is always some content in each issue that I don't bother to read, so the fact that there was a consistent article each month, that I enjoyed, made me glad.

I also agree that it would have been nice to read Wils opinion on game mechanics, new releases, concepts, etc, but in the end his article was charming, and generally something non geeks, or those not obsessed with all things Trek, could enjoy.

 

[Arnwyn]

I'm neutral about Will Save no longer appearing in Dungeon. It was the first thing I read each month, but only because it was a quick and easy read. Didn't seem to have much to do about D&D, though...

In any case, the decision has absolutely no affect on the adventures, maps, ideas, nor my game in any way, shape, or form (which is why I subscribe to Dungeon Magazine in the first place).

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Just a guess, but it may be some people objected because they don't like anything in Dragon/Dungeon not related to (official) D&D. This seems to be a common trend.

I would have to agree and it's sad cause like alot of the people in this thread it was the first thing I read but I'll still be renewing my subscription so I guess I’m pretty neutral after all.

 

[JoeBlank]

My vote would have been for the column to stay, although it probably fits better in Dragon. As other parents have mentioned, the column kind of hits home when he talks about his stepson and passing on traditions.

I like Wil's writing, and it was nice to get a little dose of it in the magazine. His blog frequently covers issues that do not interest me, so I don't read it regularly, but with Wil Save I at least knew he would be writing on gaming. It was also nice to have a quick, one-page read, and was often the first think I read in full, while thumbing through the magazine.

As others have mentioned, it sounds like he was being asked to focus on D&D, which he no longer gets to play regularly, so I can understand why this was becoming un-fun for him.

 

[Alan Shutko]

Doileys, macrame, or oragami as it relates to DnD. Serve 'em right.

I would buy a book on making D&D minis with origami in a heartbeat. It would ROCK to have a page at the end of each Dungeon with common foes like origami skeletons, kobolds, orcs, etc.

If they won't do it, someone else should.

 

[Erik Mona]

However, I have to agree with Wil himself that the quality of his articles was suffering because of the restrictions being placed on it by his editors.

Wil quit the column because of the whiners on the "Failed Wil Save" thread on the Paizo boards. I didn't mind him talking about games like GURPS so much, but I didn't care for the articles about poker (one of which never saw print).

For the record, I enjoyed Wil Save, and thought it put a human face on the magazine. It was a nice way to close out the issue. Wil is an excellent writer, and I appreciated the chance to work with him in the magazine.

On the other hand, in the age of the Internet, public writing (and editing) can be a tough business. Being able to put up with negative comments from a vocal minority of readers is a critical skill to stay in the game, and with the other restrictions on Wil's life and personal time (he hadn't actually played D&D for months) he decided that the Dungeon column (and a lot of other things, judging by today's blog post) wasn't worth the effort.

I tried to get Wil to reconsider, but I think the combination of the negative feedback and a recent bout of Mono and a general feeling that he is over-committed (believe me, I understand that!) teamed up to give Wil Save the knock-out punch.

The only reason I'm posting this is to quash the idea that it was "editorial interference" that played a major role in Wil's decision to leave the column. I had a great time working with Wil, and all of the feedback I've received is that he had a great time working with me.

Had it been up to me, the column would still be going on. But it wasn't up to me, so here we are.

--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon

 

[Jdvn1]

As long as Wil knows some people (and a lot of EN Worlders, apparently) appreciated him and his article, I'm okay with his decision to leave. I don't like it, but I won't raise a fuss about it.

Thanks for the heads-up, Erik.

 

[eabha]

I would buy a book on making D&D minis with origami in a heartbeat. It would ROCK to have a page at the end of each Dungeon with common foes like origami skeletons, kobolds, orcs, etc.

If they won't do it, someone else should.

Joseph Wu's website has some great ones. Sadly, no instuctions.

EDIT: Er...didn't mean to be off-topic. And no, I don't think I'd prefer origami to Wil Save, which was terrific.

 

[jcfiala]

I quite liked 'Will Save', and I'll miss it in future issues. But I'm sure I'll still get to hear some more about Will's gaming in his blog and elsewhere.