Should we start a Forge 'zine?

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings Matt,

That I've considered in the past and am considering again in part from this thread of doing my own 'zine will likely be the death of me. I've really wanted to do an indie 'zine, and I'm sorry (and partly to blame) that RPGevolutions didn't work last fall. I think my skill sets, as a journalist and game designer, would help be a natural fit.

Maybe a community 'zine?

Something that a group of us could work on?

Of course, it's lots of hard work and requires vision, time and effort. I've even gone so far as to write up some story/content ideas, a rough mission statement, and the sketches of a business plan. Now, I've just got to be crazy enough to do it. I want to call my zine "Daedalus" and I'd release it as PDF and possibly HTML as well. That is, HTML for online reading, PDF for download. Frequency would be either bi-monthly or quarterly.

Why "Daedalus"?

The mission statement/tagline would be something like:

"An independent editorial workshop for the Role-playing hobby"

Uhm, isn't calling it a "workshop" evocative of something else altogether?



Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius

[Matt Snyder]

Maybe a community 'zine?

Something that a group of us could work on?

I mean this as no insult (SERIOUSLY, this is not a "bug-off" remark): I don't think I personally can/would do this as a community venture in the sense that its run by a community "editorial board." Of course a group of people hopefully become contributors in varying capacities. This is absolutely necessary.

But, I'm considering a much more, well, autocratic vision in which I'm the editor and I seek out contributors and community members to share their content. But, I remain the sole guy steering the ship (more like a dinghy, really).

I say this not to get on a power trip or to prove that I "know more" than a shared-duty staff would. I say it because I have a particular vision, and because I have to answer to no one but myself when the chips are down. It may mean more work in a sense, but it certainly means less stress -- a key consideration.

That's my long explanation of "I'm the editor, so what I say goes in the zine." This is what an editor is and does, and some are more autocratic than others! Doing so (performing editor duties) shapes the vision and policy of the publication.

Now, I realize how offensive that explanation must be in a thread you started in a call for a Forge zine, then I come along and say, in one sense, "Thanks for a good idea; you can't play."

My attempt at a defense is 1) I've had the idea milling in my head for a while, 2) I'd beg and plead to have some great content that works with this particular zine's vision from most anyone, 3) please don't let my comments prevent you or anyone else from proceding on another venture, and finally 4) I'll swear to put up or shut up. Like I said, I haven't made up my mind y due to the workload involved in such a venture. So, I'll try to keep from interfering from your thread further (sorry!). Hopefully, I'll chime in again when I've got something to show for it in the form of an actual zine.

Why "Daedalus"?

Because it sounds cool.

Oh yeah, it has some metaphorical meaning, too. Daedalus is the mortal of Greek myth who constructs wonderful devices ... that sadly lead to tragedy (the labyrinth, the beautiful "cow suit" for Minos' wife who breeds the monstrous Minotaur with her misplaced lust, Icarus' wings -- which lead to Icarus' demise via his own hubris). I guess I see Daedalus as a game designer's inspiration: a craftsman who loses control of his creations, but remains dedicated to the craft. But then he's also a gamer's inspiration -- they create something that, somewhat tragically, evaporates without greater audience.

And, I'm a sucker for Greek myth references. Go figure. Chimera Creative. Nine Worlds, a game about modern Greek myth. Yeah, it's sociopathic. So what. At least I won't get killed in my bath tub. Or will I? . . . .

Uhm, isn't calling it a "workshop" evocative of something else altogether?

I guess don't see it that way, really. I mean to convey the idea that the 'zine is a living document, a "place" where "stuff" happens, where gaming "stuff" gets created. See the explanation for Daedalus for more hints.

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings,

Well, after that long intro I feel I should say something.  Just not sure what, cept I didn't mean to step on your toes or imply I wanted to take your thunder.

?

Why "Daedalus"?

Because it sounds cool.

Oh yeah, it has some metaphorical meaning, too. Daedalus is the mortal of Greek myth who constructs wonderful devices ... that sadly lead to tragedy (the labyrinth, the beautiful "cow suit" for Minos' wife who breeds the monstrous Minotaur with her misplaced lust, Icarus' wings -- which lead to Icarus' demise via his own hubris). I guess I see Daedalus as a game designer's inspiration: a craftsman who loses control of his creations, but remains dedicated to the craft. But then he's also a gamer's inspiration -- they create something that, somewhat tragically, evaporates without greater audience.

Fair enough.

Just one minor Nitpick. . .

Pasiphae was made to fall in lust with the White Bull (of Heaven) gifted to Minos by Poseidon after he renegged on his deal with Poseidon by substituting a lesser bull in his sacrifice in order to keep the White Bull for himself.  The Minotaur was the offspring of the resulting union, not the actual beastie with which Pasiphae 'bred'.

Uhm, isn't calling it a "workshop" evocative of something else altogether?

I guess don't see it that way, really. I mean to convey the idea that the 'zine is a living document, a "place" where "stuff" happens, where gaming "stuff" gets created. See the explanation for Daedalus for more hints.

Ok.  But I think there is a world of difference between, oh, say "Clarion" (as a workshop) and "Clarion" (as a magazine/newletter).

But then that's probably just me.  Carry on.


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius