So I think we have settled on a target audience for the zine, Mr. Hutton having hit the nail on the head.
Now I want to focus on content. To my mind I would like to gear each issue towards a particular thing. First issue should probably set out our stall a bit, who we are, our mission etc.
I am now going to just toss ideas out and see what sticks.
A think apart from that we should gear it to the two main conventions, Gencon, in review, and Dragonmeet, in anticipation.
An interview with Angus maybe about the diffciulties of setitng up a con.
An article about running games at cons and the different formats, 20 mins to 4 hours.
Game design article might be a little harder to pitch, but maybe just the beginning of a series, game design 101.
Preview section of games we are hoping to see at Dragonmeet.
Review of one or more games?
More when I think about it.
Cheers
Iain
Well...
Submitted by Gregor Hutton on Tue, 07/08/2007 - 23:09.
...what do the members want to see?
I'd like to see some AP in there.
Nice idea
Submitted by Iain McAllister on Wed, 08/08/2007 - 20:07.
...what do the members want to see?
That's why I'm asking. AP article sounds like a good plan, different game every issue.
Should it be only our own games, or anything we fancy? For instance I was thinking about running AGON soon and could write that up as an AP/ review.
Cheers
Iain
Mob Justice now available!
'The Giant Brain':Small games, big ideas.
Hi Iain
Submitted by Gregor Hutton on Wed, 08/08/2007 - 20:12.
Can we let the topic "breathe" for a bit?
No-one's going to want to
Submitted by Tim Gray on Wed, 08/08/2007 - 21:34.
No-one's going to want to read about how hard it is to run a con.
Especially if they're attending it at the time.
(With the possible exception of other con organisers.)
What I *would* be interested in hearing from Angus about is the market for various small press games in the UK. What sort of stuff sells and what doesn't, etc.
Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk
If the target audience is
Submitted by Tim Gray on Wed, 08/08/2007 - 21:38.
If the target audience is somewhat agreed, the other big question hangs in there: what do you want to happen as a result of this? What change do you want; what do you want the readers to *do* as a result of reading it?
The answer is likely to be a mix of things, with the proportions being informative.
Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk
I'm with Tim, not really
Submitted by JoE PrincE on Thu, 09/08/2007 - 09:50.
I'm with Tim, not really bothered about the difficulties of setting up a con. A general state of the industry interview with Angus would be cool though.
I'm in favour of AP, but AP with bite - some sort of point to it like a critical playtest or the basis for a review. Though I'm not sure how well placed we are to review games, especially when we know the authors. Mind you honest Walmsley style reviews are in short supply these days.
I'd like to see game design '101' with a practical example. A game that develops every issue, showing game design in action. The readers can be with it from the beginning and see it grow over time. In fact it'd be really good to do a CE game-chef thing with an ingredients list, each designer who wants to can take up the challenge and share their thoughts each ezine. The rest of the community can evaluate the developing games. Break it into stages:
1. Game concept
2. Theory (GNS/where's the fun?)
3. Mechanics - systems
3.2 Mechanics - rewards
3.3 Mechanics - emerging playstyles
4. Fluff
5. Playtesting
6. Feedback
7. Revision
8. Rinse and repeat.
+++
JoE
+++
Prince of Darkness Games
Rock N' Role-Play....
Game design articles written
Submitted by Malcolm Craig on Fri, 10/08/2007 - 19:41.
Game design articles written by one person are, to me, utterly boring and in many ways offputting. I have no real interest in hearing how someone else designs a game or their thoughts on 'good games design practice'.
What I would find interesting is a design conundrum, answered by 4 or 5 people with different viewpoints. Ask a very specific question and get specific answers, but not one answer, or even similar answers.
Just my ha'penny worth.
Cheers
Malc
Contested Ground Studios
I'm with Malcolm, Tim and
Submitted by Andrew Kenrick on Wed, 15/08/2007 - 11:21.
I'm with Malcolm, Tim and Joe here. I don't really want to read about organising conventions, I'd much rather hear about how the small-press industry has effected the way a store does business, or what the rpg world looks like in Finland.
I like Malcolm's idea for a design conundrum - I think Pelgrane's magazine does something similar, but not from a design perspective. They pose a question (like "can you make a living from rpgs") and then a range of designers answer them. I could see us doing something similar.
I'd really like to see the zine be very dynamic and hyperlinked, with the possibility that some of the articles are really just forum posts here.
Malcolm's idea is good but I
Submitted by Iain McAllister on Tue, 21/08/2007 - 13:15.
Malcolm's idea is good but I disagree that articles written by one person are boring. I may disagree with such an article, but I learn from that as much as one I agree with.
I have poked Angus with regards to an interview and will has out details with him soon.
I will start a new thread gathering together everyones opinions as to what should be in the ezine and then we can get people going on articles.
Cheers
Iain
Mob Justice now available!
'The Giant Brain':Small games, big ideas.