And the Adventure Continues ...
I've made it a habit of starting all my editorials with that simple phrase. It all goes back to the cover of issue no. #1 which bore the headline "Witness the Beginning of a Great Adventure!"
In a few minutes I will be putting the finishing touches on this issue and shipping the masters to the printer where 10 to 15 thousand issues will be published. I sit here wondering how the humble little magazine that was first produced in the corner of an upstairs bedroom has managed to come so far. It has indeed been an adventure.
The issue you hold in your hands is the first offering of what we've been dubbing the "New" SHADIS. For the first time SHADIS is expanding its 'fantasy only' focus to embrace all genres of gaming.
Of course, the new format required dropping some of our regular columns and introducing new ones. Undoubtedly, some of our regular readers are going to be upset that the Alderac Anthology (Bones of Ruin) has been temporarily dropped because of space constraints. My partners have assured me that we will be able to expand our size to nearly 100 pages within the next few issues - so you can expect a new story line that picks up your favorite characters soon.
While I'm on the subject, you may be interested to know that a new publication will be appearing down the road appropriately named, ''The Alderac Anthology" That publication will be picking up all the Alderac specific articles and columns from SHADIS. (This includes From the Scrolls of Greytar). We are negotiating with Runaway Graphics to do a comic book version of the Alderac Anthology as well, so the anthology is by no means being put to rest.
With the second publication supporting the anthology, SHADIS will run short pieces of fiction from time to time that tie in with the Alderac Setting, hopefully tempting readers to pick up both publications.
OK, now to the issue at hand. Perhaps the singe biggest change is the full-color cover by George Vrbanic (Infinite Images). George has been instrumental in helping SHADIS since issue no.#1. (The original painting will be on sale at our GENCON™ booth, by the way.)
If you flip to the back of the magazine, you will see our new serialized comic - Bright Future. Bright Future was produced by the creative staff of Runaway Graphics (publishers of the Lucky Seven comic book) The interesting thing about Bright Future is that Runaway Graphics will be releasing a comic book version of the same setting in the near future. The stories appearing in SHADIS will tie in with the on-going story in the comic book, so SHADIS readers will: have some added insight into Bright Future.
The other big change for SHADIS is the inclusion of the new mini-magazine "Post Marque". The Play-by-Mail Industry has been running strong for several years now and has a large following. Unfortunately it is probably the least known form of gaming and the most misunderstood. Hopefully, Post Marque will change all that. Virtually everyone who read the early proofs of Post Marque - came away wanting to play a PBM Game. (Check out the FREE offer to play-by-mail from Adventures by Mail, in the Post Marque section.)
Before I close, I want to formally introduce our new official guides to SHADIS magazine; The Gameweaver and his gnome assistant, SHAD. You'll be seeing allot of these two in the coming issues. I have a sneaking suspicion that they are trying to take control of the magazine - but I have no proof. At any rate, I'll be keeping a close eye on them, especially the little one.
Good reading, let us know what you think. Remember - our magazine is driven and influenced by reader feedback. Many of the changes you see are the result of reader demand.
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© Copyright 1993 by Alderac Group
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