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Just a quick reminder that – Full disclosure: This product was sent to us for an honest and objective review. No promises were made of financial remuneration, free gifts or holidays in the sunny Bahamas…….sadly
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The fine folks at Mad Scribe Games were kind enough in offering to send us a physical copy of the inaugural edition of Mad Scribe Magazine – the new indie tabletop gaming magazine. We had our interest about the magazine well and truly piqued a few weeks ago and so put out a press release about the magazine’s appearance on DriveThruRPG . Though we had little more to go on than the promise that the magazine features exclusive interviews, topical articles, comics, adventure modules, cosplay images, wargame battle reports, game reviews and was meant to evoke the style of the popular gaming magazines of the 80s & 90s. A bold claim indeed!
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The magazine covers a wide range of topics related to TTRPGs, including game design, mechanics, lore, world building, and player experiences. The articles are written by experienced players and game designers, providing valuable insights and tips for improving one’s gameplay or crafting a unique and engaging game. The Mad Scribe TTRPG Magazine is an excellent resource for any tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) enthusiast. The magazine provides a wide range of articles, including game reviews, interviews with game designers, and tips for game masters and players. The magazine also features original content, such as reviews of classic game systems and adventures.
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There are a multitude of entertaining and informative features throughout the magazine – though for me the stand-out ones are the mini-adventure features that provide the opportunity to, well, play. Off the Beaten Path is a collection of five short adventures for 5th Edition Dungeons & Drag- ons but can also be easily adapted for other game systems. Though stats are provided for 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons you can easily adapt these adventures for other game systems.
This short collection of adventures was a stretch reward for the Halls of Runehammer kick- starter funded on May 8th, 2017 by over 151 backers. Each of the five adventures will be released as a separate document. This adventure is the 3rd of a five part collection Off the Beaten Path 3: Don’t Follow the Lights. Similarly excellent, the brilliantly bonkers ’Hilda finds a home’ – is inspired by the classic board game “Dungeon!”, in which, a group of heroes compete over who would be the first to make enough money to build a keep.
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The magazine’s writing is clear and engaging, making it accessible to readers of all experience levels. The layout is also visually appealing, with colourful illustrations and helpful diagrams that aid in understanding complex concepts
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So in this digital era you may be asking whether there is an appetite for physical paper & ink magazines of this ilk – so is it worth the cost? Well I would say yes – in fact I would say more on that matter, however Mad Scribe Magazine Editor Chris Miller says it far more eloquently than I ever could……..
“Now, some nay-sayers may proclaim that paper & ink magazines are no longer a viable medium in this digital age. I disagree (here’s where the ignorance & determination comes in) with this black- pilled take on our mediums of choice. There may yet come a day when all forms of entertainment are accessed only through highly censored and controlled digital mediums, in which every conceivable piece of metadata on your experience is extracted and sold for profit, but it is not this day!
There is something more enjoyable and memorable about the tactile experiences attained while thumbing through a real printed paper copy of your favorite book or magazine. The same can be said for gaming. No amount of digital micro-transactions (regardless of CGI quality) can ever truly replace the physical bonds and memories attained by gaming at a table of friends with miniatures, dice, and books. What if I’m wrong, and the mega-corporations are soon able to do away with all printed media? Then, I’ll sit atop the deck of my sinking “Titanic,” defiantly reading a copy of this magazine as I go under.”
Amen to that, brother.
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If I had one criticism of this issue is that it appears to cater for Table Top Gamers with a fair modicum of experience in the hobby and so doesn’t include much for those wishing to try TTRPG either for the first time or perhaps returning after some time away. I know, from the feedback we’ve experienced on the 5D Pop Culture Website, that the increased popularity in recent times for role playing has meant that we have witnessed an influx of people into the community with no or very little knowledge of what choices there are are out there in terms of games to play. If the recent Wizards of the Coast Clusterfuck of a PR campaign has done anything, it’s been to increase the likelihood that people who come into role playing may well avoid the likes of D&D and look for other options – Pathfinder 2e unable to keep up with demand for its core rule book is a case in point.
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However, that is but a minor quibble, because overllthe Mad Scribe TTRPG magazine is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in TTRPGs. With its informative articles, engaging interviews, and commitment to inform & entertain, it is a must-read for TTRPG enthusiasts of all levels.
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You can obtain a copy of the 1st edition here at DriveThruRPG
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Subscriptions for this magazine can be obtained via Patreon @ https://patreon.com/user?u=80594713
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If you would like to donate to help the 5D Pop Culture website, you can support us here: https://ko-fi.com/5dpopculturewebsite
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