Editorial

Welcome back to the program.

First of all, I'd like to apologise for the difficulties we had in getting the last issue out. Unfortunately, the real world was placing too many demands on our time, and with the move and everything, things got a little rushed, and hence the hiccups. This issue is a lot less hiccupy then the last, and just bursting with some great stuff. So let's just have a look at it then, shall we?

The RPG News kicks us off with the shocking report that two more gaming companies have followed TSR's example and descended into financial destitution. This, needless to say, is not a good thing. It's not very nice when a small independent cult company goes down, but when one of the old masters falls, it's not only hugely depressing but very, very scary. What is going on with the industry of late? And what can we do to stop it? I can only suggest we stimulate the economy by buying more games! That's right, now you're not just splurging for a new supplement, you're saving the whole hobby at the same time.

Another piece of bad new is that this is the last we'll see of the RPG News. At the moment, we just don't have enough time or resources to maintain the current volume of the magazine at the high standard we've set for ourseleves, especially if we want to avoid a repeat of last issue. In order to keep doing what we consider to be most important - providing you with good quality articles - we decided we had to lose the least critical of our columns. RPG News was chosen as this is the most recycled of our sections (it is mostly taken directly from the RPGNet news reports) and thus would have the least impact if removed. Maybe we will be able to get it running again in the future, but for now, it rests in peace.

Moving along from such sad things, we hit the Local News, which has more inside info on ConJure, the hot new role-playing convention in Brisbane. Make sure you get your butts over to Moreton TAFE on October the 10th and 11th, because ConJure is going to be great! We'll be there, naturally, playing our little hearts out as well as staffing a small desk in the main area. We'd really like to get some feedback of the verbal kind, so if you're a regular reader, make sure you say hello.

Flipping onwards through the magazine, we strike our column for gaming reminisces - Once Upon a Time. This issue, Raymond explains why computers are more fun than RPGs. I'll never understand that boy.

The problem with Once Upon a Time, however, is that it has a somewhat limited life span. As it deals with a personal remembrance of inital gaming experiences, it can only be written once per person. And if you've been counting, you'd realise that after issue 5, we're all out of editors. We really like the idea of the column (which is why we copied it from Dragon magazine) and would be disappointed if it were to stop existing. But the only way it can stay alive is if we get submissions for it from our readers. OK, maybe you aren't the best writer in the world, but this is simply relating an anecdote or two from your past. And everyone has an amusing story from their early days in the hobby. So you've got no excuses not to send us something. :-)

While we're on the subject, we could also use more submissions in general. Making a magazine is bloody hard work, and not having to write just one article ourselves makes things so much easier. Plus we don't want this magazine to be a showcase for only our ideas - we want to present as wide a variety of insights as possible. Thankfully, this issue contains some work from another new author, and our first contributor from outside our regular staff. Her name is Sarah Hollings and her very fine article is here. But we still want more submissions and more new writers, so why not try writing something? There's nothing better than being published, even if it is only in a fanzine, and you'll be helping to make the magazine bigger and better. And let's not forget that all the big names in role-playing got their starts in amateur press...

Of course, we don't want to make you feel like you have to work for the mag. After all, we're here to entertain you, not the other way around. We do have a request for our audience however, and that is that you let us know what you think. We aren't on stage, so we can't judge how well we're doing by how much applause we get. It's up to you to send your applause - or catcalls - by email. When the emails stop coming, it gets easy to think that there is no audience out there at all, which makes us wonder why we bothered. So please, keep the letters coming in, and we'll keep the magazine going out.

But that's enough requests of our readers, I'd better get back to telling you what we're providing in this issue. Our theme is "Gaming - Those Opposed". That's right, we're taking a look at some of the opposition to gaming out there. In the feature article, Gary Pellino explains his views on the subject. Meanwhile, this issue's installment of the History of Role-Playing looks at the threats to gaming in the past. To balance all this, we also look to the brighter future. Brett presents some ideas about a new way to play, and Sarah tells us just what she wants out of the perfect RPG. But I think I should stop talking about the content now and just let you get on and read it. Enjoy.

Cheers,
Steve Darlington,
Editor.

Have a question for the editor? Mail him here.