Ezine

[Rob Lang]

Well, I write a blog, so I'm probably the last person on earth that should be taking on more work but a 1KM1KT eZine might well go down a treat. Community generated about those games we love the most, old and new and some community news where possible. This is where to discuss it.

Quarterly? Annually? (as a review)
Content?
Format? (PDF, HTML, Doc?)

Let the discourse begin!

[Dyson Logos]

All IMO:

If you want it treated as a magazine, then it has to be PDF, not HTML or DOC.

I think Quarterly is about as often as a community can be expected to pull this off. Remember the ENWorld magazines? Anything more frequent than quarterly ends up burning out even a community of that size.

Content should be:
- Reviews of free RPGs (basically reformatting the contents of Rob's blog into a regular column)
- Reviews of free RPG products that aren't full RPGs (because we should be encouraging the "big" companies to continue to release free stuff also)
- Single or two-page expansions on existing free games
- Promotion of contests like the 24hr one we are in the judging of as well as the 1 page dungeon contest that recently ended
- a "Mini" game in each issue - a 2 or 4 page RPG as the center piece of each issue. (Either fits on a single piece of paper, double sided, or on a single ledger page, double sided)
- A feature that points out what's new in the free section at RPGnow, YourGamesNow, Paizo and any other online retailers of note with short mini-reviews.

[Rob Lang]

Your opinion warmly and gratefully received, Dyson!

To add to your already formidable list, I think we should mention some other free resources in there - something that's rather lacking on my blog. Blogs, Game master tips (Gnome Stew and Johnn Four's roleplaying tips for example), podcasts and all the other free stuff that's rather nice to have a look at.

[Dyson Logos]

I can't volunteer to do layout because sooner or later I *will* be heading for Mexico for a while and don't want to leave anyone in the lurch, but I will volunteer to help with contents.

What we need first off is a layout person and a senior editor who selects what makes the cut and what doesn't.

And a format decision - how many pages per issue (don't make the mistake that many fanzines do of just making each issue as long as you have the submission for - always choose to make it shorter so you have material "left over" for the next issue. By having a limited space environment, you help enforce a "quality first" policy), whether you will accept advertising, how it will be distributed, will it be printer-friendly, or should it be offered through LuLu at the basic printing cost for people who want a print copy?

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

As I said in the contest thread - this could be a good way to recognize award winners. Short interviews might also have a place within its pages.

I kind of want to do something to encourage people to adopt a schedule - perhaps a forecast of what new games/projects will be worked on in the next quarter. From personal experience, just saying "I'll get to it sometime this year" doesn't work all that well. The most work I've done in seven months has been "Of G-men and Supermen", which wasn't something I had planned on, or for any "official" credit. So if we have a "coming soon" section, or other recognition of work, I think it would help everyone.

Another possible aspect for the document, would be to showcase stories or setting design. Perhaps we can have a serial novella, or each issue focus on one aspect/region of a fantasy kingdom. Some sort of continuing content to keep readers coming back rather than different reviews each time without continuity.

maybe some tips about either artwork, or actually running games. An ending page of RPG humor might also be a nice touch.

[misterecho]

***bump***

Is this idea dead?

[Rob Lang]

Nope! no idea is dead, just waiting for a champion.

[misterecho]

I am no champion, perhaps after CPRP has failed I can ruin something else

[tadk]

If we need someone to champion and run it I can

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

I was under the impression this was going to be part of the site redesign. Of course, the people in charge of that had the poor form of having a life outside the gaming community...

Of course we really wanted to be ambitious, we could somehow link the first issue to the contest. Interviews with the top placing contestants perhaps? It would be kind of interesting to know why they wanted to make a new CP game so badly (aside from the fabulous prizes).