Attention my fellow Pendrakens!!!
With permission from Leon (or one of the clones?) I am hereby announcing the upcoming launch of TTG – The Hobbymagazine.
My magazine will cover as much of the tabletop market as possible and also take a look at the boardgame side of gaming. Of course for such venture any help is appreciated and besides Pendraken and Minibits I have received and keep receiving support from not only manufacturers but also a number of our illustrious club here has agreed to help me out.
What is in there?
Generally each issue will have a feature game, an interview with a prominent figure in the industry, articles, BatReps, project diaries and much more. I will deliver 64 full colour pages to you filled with all the goodies you will want to see (less Totty I am afraid). I am aiming at more publications (e.g. rulebooks) and surely encourage and appreciate other forummembers to participate.
What is not in there?
Sadly there is no Totty involved but I might be persuaded to do a special fsn issue (64 pages of Centurions) :P . But in all earnest now: I am not a layout artist and I am not putting millions behind this venture for a glossy advertising pamphlet. I will focus on content and community driven topics. Besides not having a huge budget I want to have quality. You want to hear about 3D design and how it relates to miniatures? One of the early CAD designers (not telling you who) has agreed to be interviewed. You want to see interesting games from small companies that do not require mortgaging your house? You will get it.
I am planning a website and will have contact details where you can email (reasonable) requests, give feedback or even have your own material published.
Cool but when, where and how much?
When is easily answered. I am trying to rush an issue 0 between March 14 and 31st with a full issue 1 out on April 15th. Where is also very easy, it will be downloadable from WargamesVault and my own websites online shop. And if you prefer a print version that is covered as well. The print issue will be available via Amazon worldwide. I am aiming at 1.50 for the E-Mag and the price for the printed matter has been set by Amazon to 7.50. I had to swallow at the last bit and probed other possibilities. The second cheapest offer was 11 pound per copy plus postage. Without a much grander scale I am simply not interesting for "real" magazine printers.
Besides being a little gutted (my aim was 5 quid) I also see other magazines that cost more than that on a monthly basis without delivering the content and depth I will provide. Sadly at this stage there are very few options and moreover I am not getting rich myself. Thanks to Leon I know how much after fees, taxes, Paypal charges etc. will be left to buy my own shinies. Per copy sold I can buy almost 1 (!) Pendraken Hero figure – without postage of course and no paints due to restrictions.
So why am I still doing it? Firstly I want to do something useful with my (nerd)time, I want to show gamers there is much more than "the obvious who shall not be named" and I really love gaming. So to me I am getting paid for doing my hobby. Secondly I truly believe content lovers will buy this publication and while 1.50 is not that much and the per issue revenue is small I figure that when lots and lots of readers keep buying I will still make a bit of cash.
Comments, appreciation and criticism below.
Thanks for reading this and hope to have you as regular readers soon.
Roland
Well good luck with it all Roland
Will it cover all periods including ScifI and fantasy?
It would be nice to see it delve into something other than the usual 28mm and 15mm topics and companies. It would be nice to see a magazine that covers 2,3,6 and 10mm
I look forward to seeing issue 0
P.S I dont think Phil does much with his time these days you could ask for an interview! , something like a 'I thought they were dead' section
Quote from: Fenton on 28 February 2014, 02:20:38 PM
Well good luck with it all Roland
Will it cover all periods including ScifI and fantasy?
It would be nice to see it delve into something other than the usual 28mm and 15mm topics and companies. It would be nice to see a magazine that covers 2,3,6 and 10mm
I look forward to seeing issue 0
P.S I dont think Phil does much with his time these days you could ask for an interview! , something like a 'I thought they were dead' section
Thanks and let me reaffirm to your questions:
Will it cover all periods including ScifI and fantasy?
Absolutely. From historical mythological ancients to the far future. All will be in.
It would be nice to see it delve into something other than the usual 28mm and 15mm topics and companies. It would be nice to see a magazine that covers 2,3,6 and 10mm
Agree and scalewise I have 3mm to 54mm covered, 2mm is an option.
There will not be "everything" in one issue but I am quite confdent the connoiseur of wargaming will find it interesting.
P.S I dont think Phil does much with his time these days you could ask for an interview! , something like a
'I thought they were dead' section
:D There will be an article at some stage where I rant about "playing dead games" and concerning Phil and a possible involvement my lips are sealed :-$
Sounds promising as I often buy stuff through Wargames Vault. Re. your aims: it is the reason I have given up on Wargames mags other than WSS who do have a much broader remit than most, eg the last issue had photos and reviews of 6mm and 10mm Successors and an article on painting 10mm Moderns.
Ok - what about 1/3000 th, all me toy sheeps.......?
IanS
Quote from: ianrs54 on 28 February 2014, 04:34:56 PM
Ok - what about 1/3000 th, all me toy sheeps.......?
IanS
Shouldn't that be sheep? :P
Quote from: Fenton on 28 February 2014, 04:37:58 PM
Shouldn't that be sheep? :P
Pedant! ;D
and Naval gaming will be a topic indeed.
If you want, I'll happily pose for the FSN Centurion issue centre spread. Just me and a broad smile and a squadron of Centurions to cover the modesty. :P
Seriously, good luck with this. I'm sure we (the serif on the Pendraken font) will all be terribly supportive.
Will you be writing it all yourself, or will you be cracking the whip over an infinite number of monkeys?
Quote from: fsn on 28 February 2014, 05:48:41 PM
If you want, I'll happily pose for the FSN Centurion issue centre spread. Just me and a broad smile and a squadron of Centurions to cover the modesty. :P
Seriously, good luck with this. I'm sure we (the serif on the Pendraken font) will all be terribly supportive.
Will you be writing it all yourself, or will you be cracking the whip over an infinite number of monkeys?
Are you volunteering FSN?
I was actually curious. Producing a mag by yourself is a lot of work.
I would be prepared to contribute if I thought there was anything I could write that would be of interest. :-[
Quote from: fsn on 28 February 2014, 05:58:26 PM
I was actually curious. Producing a mag by yourself is a lot of work.
I would be prepared to contribute if I thought there was anything I could write that would be of interest. :-[
I am sure there is
Quote from: fsn on 28 February 2014, 05:48:41 PM
If you want, I'll happily pose for the FSN Centurion issue centre spread. Just me and a broad smile and a squadron of Centurions to cover the modesty. :P
Seriously, good luck with this. I'm sure we (the serif on the Pendraken font) will all be terribly supportive.
Will you be writing it all yourself, or will you be cracking the whip over an infinite number of monkeys?
Hey fsn and apologies but these pesky Centurions would distract people from your marvelous self :P
It is mostly me but I do have
monkeys slaves contributors for areas where I am blank or have no time.
I am sure you have areas of expertise (outside Centurions AND Armoured Cars) which would be interesting for people to read about.
The least people can do is write Battle Reports (while explaining rulesets a little) and of course Project Diaries.
This is very much community driven so if there is anything the general audience would like to see or contribute just fore away.
Hey no problem! We can lose the Centurions!
Good luck with this project!
Hi
Good luck with this project - a massive undertaking
Will you be having advertising space?
Bernie
realtimewargames.webplus.net/
realisticmodelling.com/
Quote from: fsn on 28 February 2014, 06:41:48 PM
Hey no problem! We can lose the Centurions!
Did any ever think that FSN would say that!!!! :o
Hello sebigboss79
Best wishes on your new venture, I hope it all goes well with you.
Being a wargamer of 'almost' advanced years the name TTG is cemented in my mind with TableTop Games, the old 15mm manufacturer, which I used to buy from the old shop at Notting Hill Gate (when they were in stock, you had to be lucky to get Byzantines :D ) They still seem to be producing wargame rules, sometimes.
Maybe you might want to check that there is no conflict with names etc in case the company is still going in any form.
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Didn't they do "Laserburn" and a range of 15mm SF?
Think I've still got some of them stashed somewhere.
you can still buy it at www.15mm.co.uk
Quote from: GrumpyOldMan on 28 February 2014, 09:57:29 PM
Maybe you might want to check that there is no conflict with names etc in case the company is still going in any form.
Will certainly do that. TTG - The Hobbymagazine is the working title and I liked the sound of it. There is a few other ideas I need to check but thats also what my advisors are gonan do - they have more resources at hand.
But thanks for the wishes and pointing out an important issue.
Hope you will like the result :D
Hello
Hijacking the thread for a short while:-
Quote from: Fenton on 28 February 2014, 10:18:43 PM
you can still buy it at www.15mm.co.uk
Yes it was good to catch up with them again and also see the old Asgard stuff there as well :).
Normal service on the thread will now resume :).
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
I'd like to add my good wishes too for the project. But fsn is right - it's a hell of a lot of work.
Ray
Quote from: Fenton on 28 February 2014, 02:20:38 PM
P.S I dont think Phil does much with his time these days you could ask for an interview! , something like a 'I thought they were dead' section
I feel like I am at the moment.
Thanks for reminding me Steve. :P ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Phil - Drink more, WORK FASTER......
IanS
I think a single Pendraken centurion will be suffiecinet to cover all FSN. :)
Good luick with that Seb
Quote from: Just a few Orcs on 02 March 2014, 07:34:12 AM
I think a single Pendraken centurion will be suffiecinet to cover all FSN. :)
You're forgetting the effect on FSN of a single Pendraken Centurion! :P
Quote from: fsn on 02 March 2014, 07:47:34 AM
You're forgetting the effect on FSN of a single Pendraken Centurion! :P
No I did allow for that ;D
Hi there I wish you all the best with this new venture, like other people have said lots of hard work. But I would also think it would be extremely regarding.
Take care
andy
Hi,
Very best of luck with this, have you considered just doing it as an electronic magazine, the financial strain of a printed mag is very high.
Henry Hyde struggled on with Battlegames as a printed magazine and it nearly made him bankrupt, in the end Battlegames was bought out and then subsumed into Miniature Wargames.
Dan
The printed matter will be "print on demand" so no investment. But that also gives the steeper price.....all swords are doublesided I am afraid.
I'll be interested to see the end result. A few thoughts:
Wargame Vault also do print on demand. IIRC they're slightly cheaper than CreateSpace. You also have the option of setting a print+PDF price.
A few years ago I found a website that did print on demand magazines. Might be better/cheaper than CreateSpace or wargame vault for print. Would you like me to see if I can find the URL?
I'd really like an ePub or mobi (Kindle format) version. Depending on your workflow, though, the extra work could be anything from "press a button" to "produce an entire second magazine". If it's the former, of be very grateful, but I don't expect you to bother if it's the latter :-)
Sent from my phone using Tapatalk
Have been advised and will check. What I want to avoid is different prices per region. Amazon has the free postage option thus endprice is really endprice. From WGV you might end up paying more if you include postage.
If it is a simple matter of pressing a button then sure although I am not sure what the notification time is I mean from "upload to sales". Wide distribution for example on Createspace needs 6 weeks to become effective so it is not an option for me.
Concerning the website yes please PM me and thanks.
PM sent.
I also have memories of Table Top Games. I even visited their shop in Nottingham once :)
How often are you planning to release new issues?
I am saying bi-monthly but I aim at monthly.
I am almost done with Issue 1 and issue 0 is also done (in my head) and I just need to write it down.
PM read and replying now.
Sounds great, good luck with the mag, I shall look forward to getting my hands on a copy (I hate Ebook stuff, much prefer the real printed article and that newly printed book type smell!! ;))
And that is exactly why there will be a printed issue as well. Having something papery in your hands is a feeling that cannot be replaced.
Hope you will enjoy it :)
Issue 0 will be launched in a matter of days! 8)
To be precise: Tomorrow during the day. Hope you enjoy it. ???
Look forward to it
Available now from my blog and soon from wargamevault.
I admit it to be homemade with all pertaining imperfections but I hope you can also see the passion I have put into this and enjoy your read.
Roland
Can we have links please?
Sent from my phone using Tapatalk
http://rolandsminireviews.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/issue-0-available/
I looked to download the free version, but no link yet that is active :(. Looking forward to seeing what it contains etc :).
Apologies for not adding the link directly.
Steve, as stated in the blogpost look on the right side. There is a link / widget to my BoxSync account and a folder reading TT Gaming. Should be going from there.
If you have any problems pm me with your email address and I shall forward you a copy.
Roland
And now via WargameVault:
http://www.wargamevault.com/product/127660/TT-Gaming--The-Hobbymagazine--issue-0
Very very cool!
Read issue 0 while my youngest had a nap in the car. Impressive quality, photos and interviews. Thank you
Cool! I'll pick up a copy when I'm on a proper computer, rather than my phone.
Sent from my phone using Tapatalk
Good job 'Seb'. :-bd
Cheers - Phil
Ah, downloaded it now and an excellent first attempt :).
Glad you like it my friends. :D
Excellent effort - although not much variety in the content.
Ian S
Quote from: ianrs54 on 24 March 2014, 10:43:15 AM
Excellent effort - although not much variety in the content.
Ian S
Yeah, I'd recommend doing a wider variety of stuff in each issue - this one had nothing of interest for me (I only do historicals, and I game in 3mm, 6mm, 10mm and 15mm mostly, so articles on sizes other than 28mm don't really have anything to tell me). I'll still pick up a second issue when it comes out though.
Thanks again guys and concerning variety there is a few things that are coming together.
First of all as we can see from the comments we are all interested in different things. Some of us only play in certain scales, others play only a single era and yet again others are not fussed as long as they have shinies. I keep saying there is no right or wrong here. If it is right for you then that is good enough. No one else is to judge.
This issue 0 was very limited for a number of reasons.
Firstly: Two and a half weeks in the making plus I work completely alone.
Secondly: All issues will have a general topic (set by the game/ruleset of the month) covering rules, game, interview, batrep and a painting diary. In addition to that the real McCoy will have other topics and articles covering different scales/eras etc. a second Battle report (not in issue 1 though) and I try for 3 project/painting diaries each month.
There simply is not enough space to cover everything that is out there. It still will not hit peoples interest all the time. With the variety of interests that is near impossible, sadly. Some people want more Battle reports, others really enjoy the interviews.
What I am trying to do, and hopefully with some success, is showing people there is many interesting things outside the usual or their "normal" board. But most of all there is something run by passion, not by the aim of making X amount of money from people. With an interesting table of content and a low price I hope to entice people to take the plunge of 1.50 to get some entertainment - thats all. It won't work with ALL possible readership, sadly, but once in a while I do hope to have something that is interesting for people and they will pick it up.
Some things to come in future is a focus on Space Gaming, Naval games, small scale games etc. As such I am also depending and encouraging constructive feedback and passion of the readers to contribute to this venture. There is a variety of ways such as Battle Reports, Painting Diaries, you can write articles, hint me games and rulesets I should try out etc etc. The sky is the limit here. The magazine is not what I want to see, it is what the readers want and as such it is their right to run this magazine as much as mine.
If there is no feedback and no word on what people want I cannot improve and that is the least I owe you.
Concerning issue 1 a more detailled desription:
Urban War (28mm SciFi Skirmish Game)
Army transport cases
review on brushes
painting diaries Urban War Neo Iskandrian Army
project diary: making a small gameboard
project diary: making a small ruin from foamboard (28mm cutout sample)
Interview with Chris Strecker from Portablewarfare.
Have you thought about setting up a mailing list so that you can let people know when new issues come out? That's something I'd like to see, at least.
I put it in the last page or the back cover. Mailing list is an interesting idea but I put that on hold for technical reasons plus I do not want to appear in peoples' inbox all the time. It might upset some.
Typical case of whatever you do is wrong I guess :-\ ;D
It's your choice, of course, but if people have to sign up for it (ie you don't add them whenever they buy a copy or whatever), then it's their choice. I certainly wouldn't advocate signing people up without their express permission, but if they've chosen to sign up, they're unlikely to complain :) I'd like to be able to sign up to such a thing because without something to remind me, I might forget when a new issue comes out.
If you do decide to do it, I'd strongly recommend using a company like MailChimp (http://www.mailchimp.com/) (I use them, they're free if your list isn't huge) or Aweber. It's much easier to comply with anti-spam laws that way.
Quote from: Russell Phillips on 28 March 2014, 09:29:33 AM
It's your choice, of course, but if people have to sign up for it (ie you don't add them whenever they buy a copy or whatever), then it's their choice. I certainly wouldn't advocate signing people up without their express permission, but if they've chosen to sign up, they're unlikely to complain :) I'd like to be able to sign up to such a thing because without something to remind me, I might forget when a new issue comes out.
If you do decide to do it, I'd strongly recommend using a company like MailChimp (http://www.mailchimp.com/) (I use them, they're free if your list isn't huge) or Aweber. It's much easier to comply with anti-spam laws that way.
Now THIS of course is ideal. Thanks for the links :D
You're very welcome.
It has been a while and the news I am presenting could be better.
As mentioned on my blog the administration is what is really holding me back at the moment. Cutting a long story short and to top it off the business advisor has the flue.
While I do wish him a speedy recovery (he is a nice chap) I cannot just wait for administration to come up to speed. Therefore redundancies have been put into place and one of my acquaintances has agreed to take issue 1 on his name and publish it.
The advantage there is that he is from a country where administration is shall we say more accessible (although making as much sense as here and other places).
Until I am officially in business there is no print issue though but I still encourage you to give it a try. My friend Yongjie has published the issue then under his name with a different title so I do not run into difficulties witht he name.
For your trust and the delay I have asked that issue 1 is 1.20 GBP instead of 1.50 (every little bit helps) and hope you enjoy it besides these unfortunate developments. The following link takes you directly to the product page
http://www.wargamevault.com/product/129102/Premier-Gaming-Issue-1
Just came off the phone with a number of people. TT Gaming will be launched May 12th 2014. On that day my cooperation with Premier Gaming will be stopped.
TT Gaming The Hobbymagazine will then be available from my Wargamevault shop and uploaded to Amazon's print on demand service. Links to follow.
If you cannot wait until then you can still get the first issue via Premier Gaming (http://www.wargamevault.com/product/129102/Premier-Gaming-Issue-1) at a discounted 1.20 GBP.
The guys from premier Gaming have done a great job and came to my rescue. We will continue our relationship and there will be further articles, project diaries and much more in TT Gaming that was contributed by the Premier Gaming team.
I hope you enjoy your read and look forward to the launch for real.
Quote from: sebigboss79 on 01 May 2014, 02:30:34 PM
If you cannot wait until then you can still get the first issue via Premier Gaming (http://www.wargamevault.com/product/129102/Premier-Gaming-Issue-1) at a discounted 1.20 GBP.
Seb, Really? Surely you know the following :-
As a wargamer :- The words "need" and "want" are interchangeable, and "wait" does not compute in my brain.
Bought it to read in my break on shift tonight
:)
Quote from: Just a few Orcs on 01 May 2014, 07:17:12 PM
Seb, Really? Surely you know the following :-
As a wargamer :- The words "need" and "want" are interchangeable, and "wait" does not compute in my brain.
I apologize for the nonsense I said. How it came out of my mouth is beyond me :-[
;) Hope you have fun. Critique and feedback on PM appreciated, that goes for all those who buy it.
Quote from: sebigboss79 on 01 May 2014, 02:30:34 PM
Just came off the phone with a number of people. TT Gaming will be launched May 12th 2014.
Very pleased to see this. I've been sharing the link around various social media sites.
Officially my baby now:
http://www.wargamevault.com/product/129704/TT-Gaming--The-Hobbymagazine--issue-1
Ready for sale as soon as Wargamevault approves. I am still working on a print version but my printer is a pain in the.... :'(
:-bd
Cheers - Phil
And...ready for sale :D
Issue 2 is available now. http://www.wargamevault.com/product/130237/TT-Gaming--The-Hobbymagazine-Issue-2
There have been some changes at TT Gaming. I am still struggling with the printers to get a magazine printed but we will get there eventually. The printing service at WargameVault is easier to deal with than the previous service. There is also good news concerning prices. The pdf version remains at 1.20 GBP now and issue 3 will be even 0.99 GBP! The change of printing service has lowered the cost and I hope I can achieve 6 GBP for the printing magazine so both e-Readers as well as those in preference of a hardcopy can enjoy savings I pass on.
Contentwise I have removed the news section and will publish news on my blog now (www.rolandsminireviews.wordpress.com). News omitted from the magazine itself frees a lot of hassle for the publishing side and putting them on my blog instead gives readers their newsfix in a way I believe to be more convenient and up to date than a (printed) magazine could.
In issue 2 you will find a review about "Kometenmelodie" a 6mm skirmish game together with BatRep and Project Diary. Good news for all the GW fans among us. There is limited GW coverage with a project on Space Wolves. In future there will be further projects and reviews of Games Workshop products. There is significant public interest and as a journalist it is my duty to satisfy that.
With respect to Games Workshop and without any formal agreement I refer any customer in need of a wider GW coverage to try their own publications, join forums and visit their homepage. Unfortunately GW IP policy and its enforcement leave little room to manoeuvre.
There is also an interview, another review of Army Painter products and and and....
But now enjoy your read and as always happy to hear feedback.
I have just ordered my proof copy of issue 2 and if all goes well should have it within a week. Pending no changes you will be able to order a printed magazine within two weeks from wargamevault.
I am still trying to sort out the international amazon stuff for issue 3 or 4 onward but at least now the kaffaff of "cover/file rejected" can be circumvented. Not ideal to have the magazine out as pdf first and then printed but what can you do....
TT Gaming the Hobby - Magazine Issue 2 is now also available as print from WargameVault.
Issue 3 onward should be available from Amazon a few days after general release of the PDF (still WGV).
We are looking at 3D printing and design, an interview with John Bear Ross will offer us even more insight and we try answering the question whether Space really is the final gaming boundary or can the latest X-Wing finally make it a popular area of tabletop gaming.
Another hot news has been released a few hours ago on my blog :)
Issue 3 now on sale in WGV
www.wargamevault.com/product/131707/TT-Gaming--The-Hobbymagazine-Issue-3?manufacturers_id=6591
and *drumroll* via Amazon in 3-5 business days with ISBN 978-1500174262.
Enjoy your read gentlemen
Roland
Amazon has been fast :D
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TT-Gaming-Issue-Roland-Berberich/dp/1500174262/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403885374&sr=1-1&keywords=TT+Gaming
Issue 4 of TT Gaming visits the Dark Ages with the 28mm Skirmisher Valhalla. There is armybuilding and an interview with Valhalla creator Paul Brook.
There are additional interviews with Mark Austen from Wytchfire Studio and Phil Lewis, former jack-of-all-trades at Games Workshop.
We are also looking at Forgeries and Dead Games more intensively. Why are there forgeries? What is a Dead Game and why should you play one?
Happy reading and may the dice rolls be your friend.
And now Issue 5 to commemorate WWI .