New look Miniature Wargames magazine

[Steve J]

I had a quick peruse of this in WH Smiths yesterday and I must say the new look is rather nice (I noticed that Henry Hyde, the editor, has just joined this illustrious forum). Much better dare I say the Wargames Illustrated. Also the content seems pretty good and importantly the articles are of interest to me (so I might be a bit biased). So well worth a look IMHO.

I keep meaning to do a write up on my Blog about WI magazine, so this might prompt me to jot down some thoughts.

[Hertsblue]

The main aspect on which MW always lagged behind WI was the quality of figures and the photography of those figures. Since most reader-surveys highlight the major draw with any wargames mag to be the availability of inspirational eye-candy, this could be seen to be a serious flaw. I haven't seen the revamped MW, but if it has addressed this shortcoming it may indeed be worth another look.   

[WeeWars]

Free digital edition trial issue:

www.atlanticpublishers.com/magazines/miniature-wargames/

[Fenton]

I think those free versions are some of the older issues

[Steve J]

Since most reader-surveys highlight the major draw with any wargames mag to be the availability of inspirational eye-candy, this could be seen to be a serious flaw.

Personally I find by and large that WI is full of too much eye-candy at the expense of good content.

[Albie Bach]

I used to subscribe to Miniature Wargames and gave up last year, but this move looks good and I started a new subscription yesterday.

[General Bt Sherman]

With the recent changes to the magazine, I was thinking of signing up for a subscription.

[Steve J]

I did buy the magazine at lunchtime so will do a proper review in due course.

[fsn]

Got the new MW today. Think I prefer the black cover, but the overall look and feel is crisp and efficient.

Some nice articles, I liked the simplicity of the "little wars for little money in little space". I'm trying to inveigle a friend into a game or two, and this might be the way to get him hooked. In fact there's a few articles which are a bit different ("A Saladin for UNIT",  two dimensional wargaming, photography for wargames.) . Hopefully this will continue.

Although I'll give the new look MW a single thumbs up, I do rue the demise of Battlegames, but then again, I still mourn the amalgamation of Battle magazine into Military Modelling. MW is one up on WI, in which one sometimes struggles to differentiate between advert and article, but both have Befuddling Orders of Battles (B-OOBs) which I have written my dislike of elsewhere in this forum.

One thing that did catch my eye was a review of Hawk Wargames sf city scenery. Interest piqued, I hunted for a link, yet there was no information about how to get hold of the goodies. This was the same for all reviews. Surely a single line saying "Available at www..." or "in all good kosher massage parlours ..." would have been helpful?

BTW anyone had any experience of Hawk? Looks good - in fact too good.

But the prices of these magazines! Over four new pounds for a single issue. I remember when that would buy enough Airfix figures for two 250 piece armies, with the right Airfix paints and a few Humbrol Authenticards thrown in, and still have enough for a Blandford and the bus ride home. I still haven't forgiven Bruce Quarrie for introducing the millie-meter into wargaming. One millie-meter to the meter. What's wrong with one inch to 25yds? Proper wargaming that was. Not like nowadays.

Meanwhile, back in 2013, I shall keep my eyes on the new MW, but I'm not convinced enough to shell out for a subscription.

[Steve J]

Meanwhile, back in 2013, I shall keep my eyes on the new MW, but I'm not convinced enough to shell out for a subscription.

I concur on this FSN. A lot of promise in this months issue, but will judge on an issue-by-issue basis as to whether it is worth buying. After all a years subscription can buy me an awful lot of Pendraken goodiness.

[mollinary]

Picked up a copy at SALUTE, and have to admit that I was impressed. I would think it is not easy to turn a magazine around, but I think Henry Hyde's first issue is impressive. He has certainly clawed back the photography gap, both in terms of subject and technique.  The articles in this issue are a nice mix, and I, for one, am grateful for an article on photographing miniatures . I am sure that it is "sensible" to wait and see, as Asquith said, but it did not do him much good!   Good luck Henry, this is a great start! 

Mollinary

[goat major]

I think it's absolutely fantastic. I'm definitely subscribing !

[fsn]

I've been buying this type of magazine for a very long time. I have every edition of Military Modelling since June 1974, and subscribed to MW, WI and Practical Wargamer for years.

I don't subscribe to wargames magazines now. Individually, the issues are well enough written, beautifully produced, and copiously illustrated. However, some magazines feel like adverts with some articles thrown in, but mostly because I don't find much in these magazines that I would call "new".

This new MW offered a few articles (e.g. photography) that are a little outside the usual rule-centric scenarios, and bloody show reports, so I am hopeful, but not excited.

[Techno]

Oh......Go on then...I'll give it a whirl.
Haven't bought a wargames magazine for so long, I've forgotten what they look like.
Cheers - Phil.

[Fenton]

Nice to see Mike Siggins back in it...I also liked wargaming widow, she did some nice stuff in Battlegames...Hopefully tactical teasers will stay