Boozer
4th Level Troll
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Posts: 299
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Post by Boozer on Sept 30, 2005 3:08:30 GMT -5
Hi all - I thought I'd start a new discussion topic on the subject of [glow=blue,2,300]T&T Fanzines. [/glow] Does anyone know of any that are still in circulation? Did anyone used to subscribe to any? If so, which ones, and what were they like? I've been wondering about doing my own, and I wonder if there would be any interest out there? Boozer
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Ahnn Uuh
2nd Level Troll
Me like bunnies. Good with ketchup.
Posts: 98
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Post by Ahnn Uuh on Sept 30, 2005 20:15:46 GMT -5
I don't know of any, but I'd be interested in subscribing to one. More power to you, Boozer! When I can't be gaming, there's nothing I like better than to be reading about it.
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Post by Vin Ahrr Vin on Oct 2, 2005 10:02:55 GMT -5
I agree with Ahnn Uuh.
The only T&T magazine that I know of is "Sorcerer's Apprentice" and it clearly (1) has a very limited number of issues, and (2) has been defunct for quite some time.
I don't know if a T&T fanzine would be a money-maker or not, but it would be nice to have one out there and I would certainly subscribe to one.
A few thoughts off of the top of my head: 1. I would try to make something that was simple and useable. Look at old issues of Dragon as an inspiration. Don't load up with expensive graphics and slick covers. Make it black & white with a nice, crisp, readable font and maybe some simple line art. 2. It would be fun to have a simple dungeon in each issue, but this is not a must. Perhaps a multi-level dungeon could be developed one level per issue. Again, nothing really fancy or complex or expensive to create. Just something basic and easy to use. 3. Articles could include Player philosophy (how to play a fighter, how to play a wizard, etc.) as well as GM philosophy (how to design a scenario, how to run a campaign, etc.). Articles could also include conversions (Star Wars run in T&T, Conan run in T&T, and so on) or special magic items or spells or the like. 4. A campaign world could be developed issue-by-issue. Maybe a collaborative world where different people could write up sections about countries, cities, personalities, creatures, or whatever would be found in various places in that world.
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Boozer
4th Level Troll
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Posts: 299
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Post by Boozer on Oct 2, 2005 10:37:47 GMT -5
Thanks for those replies, and thanks Vin for the ideas. I was thinking maybe of having regular features such as Map of the Month (a GM map using Autorealm, MapMage or Dungeon Crafter), a small GM dungeon each issue, NPC of the month and maybe a new spell or monster each month. The more interest the project gets, the more I will consider doing one.
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Post by ironfang on Oct 3, 2005 20:45:20 GMT -5
The only true magazine was indeed "Sorcerer's Apprentice" and it only ran through #17 (16th issue). I believe that the right to user the title was sold, as there were about two dozen fanzines put out under the SA banner between 1982(?) - 1986. There were many fanzines dedicated to T&T, most of them from the UK, where fanzines appear to have been vastly more popular during the "Golden Age" of RPGs. Likely due to the high cost of getting The Dragon. Some US titles - The Sorcerer's Scroll, The Trollish Tribune, TnT. Some UK titles - Quasits & Quasars, Demon Issue/Pandemonium, Take That You Fiend, Dragon Lords. I would be interested in original or photocopies if anyone has any fanzines.
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Post by keltset on Oct 8, 2005 7:28:49 GMT -5
Oh, man. I didn't even know that these fanzines existed. I have a few issues of "Sorcerer's Apprentice" and that's it! (Not the fanzine, either, but the REAL one that everyone else seems to have already.)
I'd love to see some sort of fanzine, but if there are only a couple Trolls working on it I bet it's a lot of work for each of us and only a circulation of ten or something like that.
But if I saw one, I'd buy one!
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Boozer
4th Level Troll
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Post by Boozer on Oct 8, 2005 12:31:35 GMT -5
Thanks for your comments Keltset. So far there are 2 of us discussing the creation of a new fanzine. Will let you know if anything comes of it.
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Post by middleclaw on Nov 5, 2005 18:35:11 GMT -5
I like the idea of fanzines. T. R. O. K. started out as one but somehow evolved into the "official" Trollhalla webzine.
But I have given some thoughtof having it in printed form as well and have spoken to some hobby shops about stocking a few copies. The response was rather mixed.
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Boozer
4th Level Troll
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Post by Boozer on Nov 5, 2005 18:46:32 GMT -5
The trouble with hobby shops in the UK Middleclaw is that as far as they are concerned, T&T is long gone. Lucky if you can find a hobby shop these days, thanks to Games Workshop... Maybe we should work together and bring T&T back to the UK gaming market, if indeed it still exists...
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Post by branderwydd /|\ on Dec 6, 2005 17:03:47 GMT -5
where do we stand with this idea, andy? i'm for it, and i'll assist with editing or contributing articles.
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skaat
1st Level Troll
Posts: 40
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Post by skaat on Dec 7, 2005 15:56:50 GMT -5
Boozer, How about an electronic fanzine? A PDF file for a nominal fee? I've seen that work with another game I am sometimes addicted to (space campaign game). It fell by the wayside after ~60 issues as the guy was a one-man show. He charged 1 USD/issue, with each issue being 8-12 pages. As far as material, I have one word: Solos! Some of us live at the edge of the gaming universe, and only have the mirror to play against. Regards, Skaat
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Boozer
4th Level Troll
Visit The Hobgoblin's Tavern today!
Posts: 299
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Post by Boozer on Dec 8, 2005 3:55:20 GMT -5
Thanks for everyone's recent comments. Nothing else has moved on it and it will be next year now when anything happens. Simon Tranter and I may get together to discuss it at some point, and any developments will be announced here, and on the Walla.
If I/we bother to start one, I'll let Ken & Rick know first and make sure they are OK for it to happen.
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Post by skathros on Dec 9, 2005 14:14:34 GMT -5
Boozer, How about an electronic fanzine? This would be an awsome idea! I'm putting out an e-zine fot C&C, and people really seem to be anticipating it's release. I do believe you reach a wider audiance this way. Not everyone takes the time to go to thier FLGS to pick up a gaming mag, but anyone can click 'n download!
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Post by skathros on Dec 9, 2005 14:15:35 GMT -5
As far as material, I have one word: Solos! Could not agree more
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Post by ironfang on Dec 9, 2005 19:24:53 GMT -5
Just be careful not to trample any intellectual property rights if you do a fanzine. I am aware of only one instance where a fanzine was threatened by a copyright holder. G-Fan, a fanzine from Canada about "Godzilla movies" got hassled by Toho Studios over the inclusion of fan fiction using the copyrighted monsters. Fanzines in general have been supported, if not encouraged outright in Europe and the US, especially within the gaming industry. I don't think another T&T fanzine will upset either KSA or FBI. (Yes, "another" -- what do you think T.R.O.K. is, anyway?)
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