Would you buy a printed version of PC Engine Gamer...

[_Paul]

...if it was a kind of extended edition, or special bumper volume with different and exclusive stuff?

[roflmao]

Heck yeah!

[BlueBMW]

Yep!

[Bernie]

Most certainly.

[CGQuarterly]

Yup.  I would also subscribe to a printed version of the normal magazine.

Chris

[Duo_R]

You bet! And PDF versions would be cool (got them on older versions somehow).

[Samurai Ghost]

Yes, I would! It would be awesome to have printed copies!

[Mishran]

Definitely!

[ccovell]

Only if it came with a free HuCard on the cover.   


(just joking, of course.)

[T2KFreeker]

Yuppers. I missed the older publications when  they were running, so yeah, I'd love to get some Turbo/PCE mags to read!

[WingZeroKai]

Most certainly.

[cabbage]

Of course! I've been thinking about printing up my own personal copies of all your back issues... It's a really nice magazine

[Mathius]

NO!


...er, I mean YES!

[PunkCryborg]

I would buy anything Paul tried to sell me

[_Paul]

I would buy anything Paul tried to sell me

I have a genuine photograph of Magical Chase. Yours for only $500.

[RegalSin]

As long as the word retro is not mentioned, and to really get me going, has some sorta software disc inside.

[spenoza]

It is highly unlikely a fanzine, even a printed one, would include software.

[DrBread]

This would be great!

[bartre]

I would absolutely buy it, subscribe to it, or bleed for it.
love em!

[Arkhan Asylum]

I'd buy a few copies

one to read, one to keep in the plastic and stuff, and one to show off to my friends.

[HercTNT]

yea i would.

[_Paul]

Thanks for the feedback, very encouraging.

If this were to go ahead, I'd have to make some decisions:

a) Every issue is released as a free pdf and a paid-for printed copy with the same content.
This would mean I would have to drop certain aspects (like using photos from TV shows and movies) due to copyright issues. The formatting would need to change (i.e fonts much smaller), making it harder to read on a computer screen. I would have to add content, as in a new format the page count will drop due to the smaller font sizes.

b) A 'Special Volume' printed edition is released every now and again with exclusive reviews, in addition to the normal version.
The Special Volume would be designed differently, while the normal edition would remain the same (and probably cut page count a bit to help get them out more frequently)


What are your opinions of these?

[esteban]

As long as the word retro is not mentioned, and to really get me going, has some sorta software disc inside.

Paul creates a magazine with compelling content. I'll throw some random C64 5.25" disks in your issue to make it "worthwhile" for you.

Thanks for the feedback, very encouraging.

If this were to go ahead, I'd have to make some decisions:

a) Every issue is released as a free pdf and a paid-for printed copy with the same content.
This would mean I would have to drop certain aspects (like using photos from TV shows and movies) due to copyright issues. The formatting would need to change (i.e fonts much smaller), making it harder to read on a computer screen. I would have to add content, as in a new format the page count will drop due to the smaller font sizes.

b) A 'Special Volume' printed edition is released every now and again with exclusive reviews, in addition to the normal version.
The Special Volume would be designed differently, while the normal edition would remain the same (and probably cut page count a bit to help get them out more frequently)


What are your opinions of these?

Both approaches are fine, but it seems that "B" is superior (ha! see what I did there?) 

I say: continue creating the magazine you would want to read. Then, later, go back and grab the material from past issues that is suitable for the "Special Volume" that will be printed. This approach allows you to revisit (and possibly edit/revise) the work you have done. Reformatting for print is a lot of work, but "B" seems less stressful and more satisfying.

My two cents.

[Ji-L87]

I say: continue creating the magazine you would want to read. Then, later, go back and grab the material from past issues that is suitable for the "Special Volume" that will be printed. This approach allows you to revisit (and possibly edit/revise) the work you have done. Reformatting for print is a lot of work, but "B" seems less stressful and more satisfying.

The Star Parodier review & interview definitively should be in there somewhere

[soop]

I say maybe.  I like Esteban's idea, but actually buying a monthly magazine shipped all the way from the US of A would probably cost me a packet.  I'd be more inclined to buy a one-off super special edition packed full of awesome articles.

But as far as print Vs digital is concerned, it's still important for me to stuff a magazine in my bag for boredom emergencies (or when my PSP/Vita batteries run out).  I just got a stack of old Retro Gamers for free, and even though they're consistently wrong about things, it's still very amusing.

[Otaking]

Yes I'd buy/subscribe to a printed version of the fanzine.

Personally I'd be happy with just a printed version only, as each time an issue is released I print out the PDF and read it like that.
Plus the printed version would be much better quality than my rubbish home printer.

a) Every issue is released as a free pdf and a paid-for printed copy with the same content.
This would mean I would have to drop certain aspects (like using photos from TV shows and movies) due to copyright issues. The formatting would need to change (i.e fonts much smaller), making it harder to read on a computer screen. I would have to add content, as in a new format the page count will drop due to the smaller font sizes.

I really doubt you would have to worry about copyright issues on a small print run fanzine.
If anything declare it as a not for profit fan publication where the selling price of the fanzine only covers the printing cost, so no profit is involved.  
I'm not saying you shouldn't make a profit for your great work putting it together, just that the above "not for profit fan publication" is the official blurb.

[Mathius]

What Esteban said.

[Arkhan Asylum]

lol, can you replace all the copyright material with giant CENSORED labels for the printed ones?

[Samurai Ghost]

Creatimg two versions for each issue sounds like a lot of work. I'm already impressed with the quality of the PDF version and know how much time layouts and the like take. It might be more practical to make one special issue with all of the best stuff from all of then issues up until now, the release special issues from time to time when you have enough content. I'd buy it all either way though!

[_Paul]

I'm heading towards this scenario:

Continue with the normal pdf versions.
Every now and again, collect up the reviews done so far (with some adjustments), add a load of exclusive reviews and bundle them into a printed special issue with a more snazzy design.
Sell some mugs with 'I'm a PC Engine Gamer' printed on them.
Retire on the profits.

[Arkhan Asylum]

make bumper stickers that say "I brake for VolfieVs"

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Fuck yeah I'd buy 'em!

[_Paul]

Here's an unfinished mock-up of what it could look like:

/bikkuri.jpg

[esteban]

I'm heading towards this scenario:

Continue with the normal pdf versions.
Every now and again, collect up the reviews done so far (with some adjustments), add a load of exclusive reviews and bundle them into a printed special issue with a more snazzy design.
Sell some mugs with 'I'm a PC Engine Gamer' printed on them.
Retire on the profits.

Hell yes.

make bumper stickers that say "I brake for VolfieVs"

Hell yes. /pcds.png

/bikkuri.jpg

Hell yes. /pcg0.png

[_Paul]

My main problem is getting high quality artwork. Even good scans off covers might not cut it, so I might end up re-illustrating some images instead, which will be fun but time consuming.

[HercTNT]

nice work! definately keep us posted.

[neoxeno]

Really cool stuff. 

[Samurai Ghost]

A bit off topic, but one feature that might be handy for a printed version would be a basic translation guide for the menus/skills/items/etc of Japanese language games for the PCE, such as the many RPGs for the system. That way people could have a copy flipped open to that page when they are playing the game and be able to navigate through the basic commands of the game. It could also details some of the useful items at the shops, etc., not necessarily a full walkthrough, just some tips that could help non-Japanese speaking players through the game.

[_Paul]

A bit off topic, but one feature that might be handy for a printed version would be a basic translation guide for the menus/skills/items/etc of Japanese language games for the PCE, such as the many RPGs for the system. That way people could have a copy flipped open to that page when they are playing the game and be able to navigate through the basic commands of the game. It could also details some of the useful items at the shops, etc., not necessarily a full walkthrough, just some tips that could help non-Japanese speaking players through the game.

Good idea. In the original fanzine version of my site, I had a page teaching you how to read katakana, maybe I could cover that as well.

[esteban]

A bit off topic, but one feature that might be handy for a printed version would be a basic translation guide for the menus/skills/items/etc of Japanese language games for the PCE, such as the many RPGs for the system. That way people could have a copy flipped open to that page when they are playing the game and be able to navigate through the basic commands of the game. It could also details some of the useful items at the shops, etc., not necessarily a full walkthrough, just some tips that could help non-Japanese speaking players through the game.

Good idea. In the original fanzine version of my site, I had a page teaching you how to read katakana, maybe I could cover that as well.

To build on Samurai's good idea, you should recycle this information on your website:

(1) game-specific information would be added to a title's individual entry in the PCE Bible

(2) compile all of these "Japanese language" pieces in one section of your site...

[soop]

A bit off topic, but one feature that might be handy for a printed version would be a basic translation guide for the menus/skills/items/etc of Japanese language games for the PCE, such as the many RPGs for the system. That way people could have a copy flipped open to that page when they are playing the game and be able to navigate through the basic commands of the game. It could also details some of the useful items at the shops, etc., not necessarily a full walkthrough, just some tips that could help non-Japanese speaking players through the game.

That's a great idea!!!

[Deletion]

Awesome work, Paul. Do you use InDesign?

[_Paul]

Awesome work, Paul. Do you use InDesign?

Yep.

[xcrement5x]

Count me in as well, this sounds like an awesome idea!

[esadajr]

Not only I would buy it, I would subscribe to it

[Keith Courage]

This is a great Idea. This way I can read it while taking a dump.

[_Paul]

This is a great Idea. This way I can read it while taking a dump.

I think it would be poetic if I reviewed Deep Blue in it then.

[esteban]

This is a great Idea. This way I can read it while taking a dump.

I think it would be poetic if I reviewed Deep Blue in it then.

...and BALLISTIX.

I mean, you had to see that one.

[_Paul]

This is a great Idea. This way I can read it while taking a dump.

I think it would be poetic if I reviewed Deep Blue in it then.

...and BALLISTIX.

I mean, you had to see that one.

I don't hate myself THAT much.

[PunkCryborg]

how about a foldout sexy pce babe