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Retro Gamer going bi-monthly again

Lee TonksLee Tonks
edited August 2005 in Sinclair Miscellaneous
Dunno how many of you read RG, but they've just posted a message on their forums to say that there won't be an issue this month - the mag is to go 'bi-monthly' again, so the next issue will be in September.

http://livepublishing.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x
Post edited by Lee Tonks on

Comments

  • Pascal TournoisPascal Tournois
    edited August 2005
    Yes, I had seen that thread earlier today. I'm a subscriber to Retro Gamer. Sounds like the mag is having troubles, then.
  • JmkJmk
    edited August 2005
    This does sound troubling.

    I resubscribed recently and I hope I haven't just thrown ?60 down the pan... :(

  • Lee TonksLee Tonks
    edited August 2005
    The thread confirms that subscriptions will now last 'twice as long', but I guess that really depends on whether the mag lasts much longer. :(
  • ZX BeccyZX Beccy
    edited August 2005
    I think the 'fad' of retrogameing is coming to an end....

    So things should get back to normal shortly
  • psj3809psj3809
    edited August 2005
    Well someone said that Live were having problems so they might just be cutting down on some of the magazines etc.

    RG must be doing okay so they havent canned that but time will tell.

    Very difficult magazine to do to please everyone , too many obscure articles for me at times but i'll still subscribe
  • chaosmongerschaosmongers
    edited August 2005
    I think it was a bit ambitious to go monthly anyway, and the mag was originally gonna be bi-monthly anyway I believe.

    There's only so much you can write about retro-gaming each month, and I think a bi-monthly mag will leave time for more detailed stuff, and for more news to write about.


  • LeeTLeeT
    edited August 2005
    On 2005-08-03 19:54, chaosmongers wrote:
    I think it was a bit ambitious to go monthly anyway, and the mag was originally gonna be bi-monthly anyway I believe.
    There's only so much you can write about retro-gaming each month, and I think a bi-monthly mag will leave time for more detailed stuff, and for more news to write about.

    I don't think the amount of content is a problem - From what I have heard, they have enough articles to keep going. I believe its the cost of paying the contributors and due to other mags in the stable failing.

    Unfortunately being bi-monthly possibly means that the news will be a bit out of date (thats one of the things that improved when the mag went monthly, in my opinion).

    I feel that it's a backward step going bi-monthly but I suppose a six-a-year retro mag is better than none at all...




    [ This Message was edited by: LeeT on 2005-08-03 20:25 ]
  • mel the bellmel the bell
    edited August 2005
    well at least i may (if i bother) trying to add the last few issues to my website, i may be able to catch up again :p
    Professional Mel-the-Bell Simulator................"So realistic, I found myself reaching for the Kleenex King-Size!" - Richard Darling
  • zerohourzerohour
    edited August 2005
    I think the problem (other than staff problems) is keeping everyone happy in a thing like Retro Gamer is a tough job.

    I was a regular reader but as of late I very rarely buy it at all as very little in it interests me.
  • chop983chop983
    edited August 2005
    I always dislike their main feature console/computer article, it usually reads like a list of specifications and release dates.
  • psj3809psj3809
    edited August 2005
    I know what you mean, difficult one though, i thought it was too 'techy' whereas a lot of people there seemed to love that and wanted more.

    Some people wanted BASIC listings listed so people could input them !
  • Paul van der LaanPaul van der Laan
    edited August 2005
    Bi-monthly is not a problem for me. I still have to read a few back issues and check some cover disks. And as long as they can produce at least another 8 issues I'm happy.

    For the latest news I find it better to check websites though. Even when a mag is released monthly there can be a huge gap.
  • jiljil
    edited August 2005
    I seem to recall that when Issue One came out, it was only due to be published once every three months! Maybe they are running out of original things to put on the cover disk. I hope they carry on a while longer, my sub is due a renewal after two more issues.
  • LeeTLeeT
    edited August 2005
    On 2005-08-04 13:55, jil wrote:
    I seem to recall that when Issue One came out, it was only due to be published once every three months! Maybe they are running out of original things to put on the cover disk. I hope they carry on a while longer, my sub is due a renewal after two more issues.

    Read my post above - Its not a content problem (either the magazine or CD) but a financial problem.
  • jiljil
    edited August 2005
    It may well be financial problems but one reason that Retro Gamer may have been cut back to bi-monthly was because the content generally doesn't need to be monthly. When the subject is old computer games, it doesn't matter if the article is published today or next year, most of it will be just as relevant whenever it's published.

    Other mags at Live Publishing will (I assume) remain monthly, and others may be dropped all together. If cutbacks were required, I can see why Retro Gamer didn't get away unscathed. And I'd say the contents of the cover CDs are getting weaker too - coming up with a diskful of something original every month can't be easy.
  • mrmessymrmessy
    edited August 2005
    I have not renewed my recently expired subscription. Not because I no longer want the magazine, but because it was becoming easy to find in the shops and I like to pick a nice copy rather than one Royal Mail have kicked round the back of a van. I hope it keeps going for ages. Bi-monthly or otherwise!
    '79:PrinztronicMicro5500> '83:Spec(48K)> '84:Spec+(kit)> '86:Spec128> '88:ST> '90:A500> '93:A1200> '93:SNES> '95:PS1> '99:PC> '02:PS2> '05:Xbox> '12:Xbox360> '14:PS4 XboxLive:messy73, PSN:mrmessy73, YouTube:mrmessyschannel
  • Rainbird RichRainbird Rich
    edited August 2005
    Fingers crossed for my latest article, as RG had it for almost two months now and have yet to publish it!
    On 2005-08-03 20:25, LeeT wrote:
    On 2005-08-03 19:54, chaosmongers wrote:
    I think it was a bit ambitious to go monthly anyway, and the mag was originally gonna be bi-monthly anyway I believe.
    There's only so much you can write about retro-gaming each month, and I think a bi-monthly mag will leave time for more detailed stuff, and for more news to write about.

    I don't think the amount of content is a problem - From what I have heard, they have enough articles to keep going. I believe its the cost of paying the contributors and due to other mags in the stable failing.

    Unfortunately being bi-monthly possibly means that the news will be a bit out of date (thats one of the things that improved when the mag went monthly, in my opinion).

    I feel that it's a backward step going bi-monthly but I suppose a six-a-year retro mag is better than none at all...




    [ This Message was edited by: LeeT on 2005-08-03 20:25 ]
  • beanzbeanz
    edited August 2005
    I love RG and happily can find it in Barnes and Noble bookstore here in the US (usually a month behind).

    However, I have noticed a slide in content over the last couple of issues, a lot of page space seems dedicated to remakes and Gameboy type stuff.

    Myself I dont consider remakes as 'legit' retro articles in a retro mag and games/consoles just a few years old I dont concider retro either.

    There is so much software and hardware to cover from the 80s that the mag could go on for years.

    Just a personal opinion, overall Its a great mag and I'll miss it when and if it goes.
  • mheidemheide
    edited August 2005
    Myself I dont consider remakes as 'legit' retro articles in a retro mag and games/consoles just a few years old I dont concider retro either.

    While strictly true, of course, don't forget that the Spectrum emulation scene took off while the machine was still commercially active.
    YS even had an article about emulators near the end (ehrm, but we didn't call YS a retro mag back then ;)
  • chop983chop983
    edited August 2005
    On 2005-08-04 20:12, mheide wrote:
    YS even had an article about emulators near the end (ehrm, but we didn't call YS a retro mag back then ;)

    Wow which issue was that in I'd love to read it
  • NickHNickH
    edited August 2005
    The final two issues, 92 and 93.
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