Should a gaming magazine be hardcopy or PDF

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:52 pm

Hello everyone, I've hit what seems to be a wall here. As you know I've been working hard on my magazine for a while now and I've reached the what seems to be a critical junction and I really need your help to decide!
1. Do a small print run of the magazine (50 copies) and sell as a PDF on rpgnow/drivethrurpg.

Pro/Con: Smaller cost, meets demand for both in print and online people. Cost to me is still high for a "hobby" type initiative. Takes a lot of time.
2. Do only a print run, no PDF

Pro/Con: Keeps it the way I originally intended it to be. Niche, unique etc. But takes a lot of time and cost a lot more money.
3. Do only PDF via rpnow/drivethrurpg

Pro/Con: Cheap, commission is not an issue, saves on a lot of cost and trouble.

The one thing I still want to do is to make custom dice for a game I made called "Mysterious Circumstances". I want to use these dice as an incentive of some kind.

I guess, I really need your help. Maybe I missed out on some Pro/Cons for each option....let me know!
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:03 pm

I prefer to have a print magazine. I sub'd to Kobold Quarterly for two years (issues for 1-8) and went the pdf-only route. I hated it, and now as my sub has run out, I will either re-sub as print or print/pdf or just buy them from my local bookstore (which stocks them). I only voted both because in this day and age it seems like pdf mags are popular. I'd prefer print though, personally, and have started not to care too much about pdfs.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:30 pm

Thanks Dynel for your thoughts.
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Grendel T. Troll · Post by **Grendel T. Troll** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:36 pm

I am in a similar situation as Dynel. I prefer a hard copy, but I would take a PDF if I had no other choice (and the mag was worth it).

I generally read many a game book while doing my business in the water closet. Since I don't have a laptop, I think carrying a mag to the throne would be a little more convenient than transporting my tower and old-fashioned tube monitor when I do business....
Seriously, reading a hard copy is something I prefer in game books/mags.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:33 pm

Grendel T. Troll wrote:
I am in a similar situation as Dynel. I prefer a hard copy, but I would take a PDF if I had no other choice (and the mag was worth it).

I generally read many a game book while doing my business in the water closet. Since I don't have a laptop, I think carrying a mag to the throne would be a little more convenient than transporting my tower and old-fashioned tube monitor when I do business....
Seriously, reading a hard copy is something I prefer in game books/mags.

I think I'm getting the sense that I got it right the first time, if I am to cater to the niche market that I wanted to originally (people like us) , it has to be in print. Still, I reserve my conclusion when I see the poll result.

Please continue to post, this is very important to me. Thanks!
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Frost · Post by **Frost** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:46 pm

I choose option 1 (both). I prefer print myself, but it seems to make sense to do both.... maybe something akin to what Fight On! magazine does (offers their mag through Lulu, so lets the customer make a choice as the issues are released).
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moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:52 pm

Well, I voted option 1 since it was the 'closest' option to what I would see as ideal.

Though I love reading a print magazine, in certain cases I am finding that I would much rather a PDF for certain regular releases. If the Crusader came out with their PDF issues at the same time as their print issues did, I would most likely make the switch or... if they had a subscription option that offered both, go for that.

There is nothing to say that you can't do both if it's done intelligently. For example, you could do a print journal that collects the issues on a quarterly, or yearly basis depending on page count.

That in my opinion would be BAD ASS.

M
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:20 pm

I prefer print only if its along the lines of Dragon Magazine. If your also going to include adventures/maps I like having PDF too because it makes it much easier to use stuff for the on line games I participate in.
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DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:21 pm

I'm a print only kinda guy.

Pat Payne · Post by **Pat Payne** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:27 pm

The problem with your options though, Angelus, is that print (which I love) is expensive. And making a micro run like you're suggesting (50 copies) could be even more so. I was no great shakes at economics, but I do remember this one lesson -- the less of something you make, the more it costs per unit to produce.

I'd vote for PDF until you get on your feet and can make an economic go of it, so that way you haven't sunk a lot of money into the magazine without knowing how it'll pan out. Once the mag's a success, then certainly run the presses

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:21 pm

The cool bit is that I'm printing in a comic book format via a digital printer so the cost is not prohibitive but it's still not nice.

Please keep it coming people. I want to make sure that I got my thoughts right so far, I think we as a collective share the same value map.
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:31 pm

Well, you can ask for a "pre order buy in" to help you offset print costs up front. What kind of price point you looking at? Do you have a Paypal account?

Give those of us who preorder the print version the PDF for free, or seriously cheaply.
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Lucifer_Draconus · Post by **Lucifer_Draconus** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:37 pm

Print only..at least till I get my own computer again =P Plus magazines SHOULD be print. I love having it my grubby hands. What's the 'zine going to be like ?
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:56 pm

Iam_Who_Iam wrote:
Print only..at least till I get my own computer again =P Plus magazines SHOULD be print. I love having it my grubby hands. What's the 'zine going to be like ?

Honestly, the price point is going to be about the same as a high end comic, about $5.50 for 34 pages or so.

You guys have seen the Shelly Mazzanoble preview right?

- We have a "Choose your own adventure" module

- Interviews

- A "beer and pretzels" complete RPG game (explained in the mag)

- Campaign fluff stuff

- Articles on roleplaying by Keith Hackwood, pretty heady stuff

- Great art by Lanny Liu an award winning artist

Actually we have a ton crammed in there. www.bigironvault.com

Looks like "print" is winning out.

Btw, I do have a paypal account and I will be setting up a merchant payment thingy on the website.

Honestly, you guys are awesome. I wanted to make something for the masses and its encouraging that people do seem to care about my work. Thanks!
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Maliki · Post by **Maliki** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:24 pm

TheFrost wrote:
I choose option 1 (both). I prefer print myself, but it seems to make sense to do both.... maybe something akin to what Fight On! magazine does (offers their mag through Lulu, so lets the customer make a choice as the issues are released).

+1, I like print, but others may like PDFs better, cover all the bases.
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Zebulon · Post by **Zebulon** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:45 am

As suggested above: do it in PDF, with the POD (lulu.com) option for those who absolutely want a printed copy. Plus don't forget that Lulu will cost you nothing.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:50 pm

I wonder if with POD it's actually easy for customers to order or do they have to register and all that junk.
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moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:49 pm

angelius wrote:
I wonder if with POD it's actually easy for customers to order or do they have to register and all that junk.

Well, you do have a very minor registration process to go through but you would anyway to set up the shopping cart thing.

Though I think it is a good idea in principle, I'm loathe to use lulu with their problematic shipping options to Canada and it just serves to reinforce a shipping option for me.

M
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Benoist · Post by **Benoist** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:39 pm

Should be hardcopy for me. If PDF is available as well, I don't mind.

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:44 pm

I'm going to have to say both. Even though I, personally, generally wont buy a pdf. I really am uncomfortable reading things on a computer, and can only handle it in short bursts.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:17 pm

If I had my druthers, I'd go print any day. However, not everything is as one would want, so if I had no choice, I'd settle with pdf. But, it had better be bookmarked.
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Joe · Post by **Joe** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:28 am

If you want me to read it...HARDCOPY!

If you wish to make awful sure I never see it or hear about it...go PDF.
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:10 am

Print for me, but yeah, go with what the people want!!

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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:50 am

You know, we are allowed to print a copy of any PDF we buy for personal use, and I have had this site recommended to me:
http://www.printme1.com/

So even if you go PDF only, even if only at first, I can get them printed up as soon as I get enough issues to fill their minimum order requirement.

I priced out doing the Twilight 2013 book, which is 350 pages, and it priced out at $12 black and white spiral bound.
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Post by **Breakdaddy** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:47 am

EPUB so I can take it with me on my ebook reader

Ok, so that's not an option
Dude, youre really making things happen. When are you launching your podcast?

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:33 pm

Dude I'm actually done the magazine. Just waiting on the cover to finish at this point.
Lanny's "painting" it as we speak.
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Post by **Breakdaddy** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:58 pm

Nice!

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:50 pm

Yup I think its going to be awesome so it might take a few weeks.

Here's some of her previous work www.lannyworld.com/gallery.html
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Should a gaming magazine be hardcopy or PDF

Should a gaming magazine be hardcopy or PDF

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