10 replies to this topic

[Bluenose]

Quoting from the press release:

Paizo Publishing and Wizards of the Coast today announced the conclusion of Paizo’s license to produce DRAGON and DUNGEON magazines effective September 2007. Publication of DRAGON and DUNGEON will cease with issues number 359 and 150, respectively.

"Today the internet is where people go to get this kind of information," said Scott Rouse, Senior Brand Manager of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®, Wizards of the Coast. "By moving to an online model we are using a delivery system that broadens our reach to fans around the world. Paizo has been a great partner to us over the last several years. We wish them well on their future endeavors."

"We at Paizo are very proud of the work we’ve put into DRAGON and DUNGEON during the past five years," says Erik Mona, Paizo's Publisher and Editor in Chief of DRAGON. "While we'll all miss working on these venerable magazines, our talented editorial and art staff as well as our phenomenal team of freelance contributors will continue to produce high-quality, exciting, new OGL releases that are aimed at supporting our existing customers and beyond. We look forward to sharing useful and provocative new products that support our favorite hobby."

For those of us who've been around the hobby a long time, and probably also people who've only just discovered the magazines, this will be a great shock. Quite honestly I'm struggling to take it in at the moment. Apparently Paizo already have plans for replacement magazines, but it's still a weird experience knowing that I'll be getting my last ever copy later this year.

[vilkacis]

It's too bad, but I'm not surprised. They're probably right; it is easier to reach a wider audience online, especially if the target audience is mostly made up of teenage boys. And the last time I read a Dragon mag, ages ago, I noticed that it would have cost me a fortune and a half to subscribe from where I live - I don't even want to know what it costs these days.

...actually, I'm more surprised that Dragon hasn't passed 360 issues yet.

[berelinde]

Cue the closing credits, I suppose, but it feels like the end of an age.

[Kaeloree]

[Jazhara7]

Oh crumbs, and here was I contemplating getting a subscription for Dragon magazine just one month ago.



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[Pandæmonium]

I've not bought an issue since 2003 - mainly because I did get my D&D info from the net, but those magazines were a big part of my growing up and it'll be a shame to see them go.
Dungeon in particular was always useful to me, I still go back to those today, whenever I need inspiration when modding games.

[Creepin]

Oh my, why did I loathe WotC more and more with each passing year?

Edited by Creepin, 26 April 2007 - 02:56 AM.

[Luchaire]

*secretly wonders what his untainted collection of issues #1-100 of Dragon will be worth now*

[Bluenose]

*secretly wonders what his untainted collection of issues #1-100 of Dragon will be worth now*

At a UK gaming convention last year I saw a "good" copy of Dragon #1 sell at a charity auction for £37

[Luchaire]

I think it would feel rather like selling one of my kids.

But with more regret.

[leahnkain]

I remember how hard it was for me to track down the first issue of Dragon, and the first issue of Dungeon is a classic.
I am one of the few who feels 3.5 is not AD&D. It killed the feel of the game. It is like GURPS in many ways. The key point about DnD was to be simple. Do you remember 1st edition? WoTC should have kept the older 2nd edition in print and called the 3rd edition another name. Do you remember basic DnD? They could have marketed two different products. It is our fault for these magazines being cancelled. If the gaming community supported them by buying an issue, they wouldn't be cancelled. I feel guilty that they are cancelled. I first subscribed in 1984 and cancelled my subsciption in 1998. I remeber trying to get back issues which I was missing. it was fun reading the old articles. I loved Snarf Quest when I was a kid. It was a great magazine. Sadly it couldn't keep the same quality it had in the 80's. Just think, WoTC could always cancel DnD. The fan base has shrunk and it's popularity will never reach the levels 1st edition had. I hate to sound so negative. I just wish TSR was back and WiTC stuck with Magic.