The new WD

[Psychosplodge]

So we're on our third or fourth newstyle white dwarf.
Does anyone else think nothings really changed? It's still not the the hobby magazine it was in the 200's and apparently that didn't match up to what it was before then...
so where's all the content they promised?

[Asymmetrical Xeno]

I had a flick through of a few issues and I didn't really see any content that appealed to me. I wonder if there is some place I could send the editors/writers suggestions though. For example, to capitalise on the Chaos marines and dark angels codices - They could of done an Allies WD army-list focussed around Cypher and the Fallen with some examples of CSM/DA kitbashes. The other article type i'd like to see are "Index astartes" type ones - a little fluff and information with colour-schemes and such. This would be especially cool if it focussed on more unknown chapters, craftworlds, dynasties <insert other equivilents here?) - when I read stuff like that in older issues back in the 90's it certainly inspired me and got me buying stuff.

[Archon]

It´s a matter of fact. There is no real content - other than before. The Book-"Preview" (as you can name it so) and the presentation of FW or, in some rare cases, non GW-Concern but GW related material is new. The presentation shemas are the same. Make a lot of page-space by big and splashing pictures, minimize text. Ironically in the battle reports, which should have big pics to show whats going on in the game, has only stamp-size pictures far too tiny to see what happens.

The new releases prensentation is still too large, too big and without any real informations. I think it is better to stretch a thema over two issues, because if you have looked (to they read feels wrong here) through a issue, you a more than feed up the new realeases and you still won´t look at DA (in this issue) again. An articel with some real information about some codex rules or some early tactica is missing completly. Its all about pictures and presentation. The new WD has changed, in princing, in the quality of the paper and in the qualtiy of the cover pages - kinda embossed, shiny. It look high quality and feels (at your fingertips) high quality too ... but in case of contens its poor.

Sad but true.

The short period of time between presentation in the WD and the release itself makes it kinda pointless to buy it, because in the codex are a lot of shiny pictures of the minis too and there you got real information.

[eldargal]

I've not read this months yet but there are considerably more actual articles in the new style WD than the old. Still a lack of terrain building guides and things like that but it has improved.

[energongoodie]

It's still bobbins as far as I'm concerned.
I wanted to believe the whole sweeping changes, new direction mumbo jumbo but 3 issues in and nothing.

[Eberk]

I hate what they did to the Battle Reports. Those used to be fun to read, turn by turn, phase by phase but now it seems they just highlight some actions and thats it. That's a shame

[eldargal]

It's still bobbins as far as I'm concerned.
I wanted to believe the whole sweeping changes, new direction mumbo jumbo but 3 issues in and nothing.
Well it's still a heck of a lot better than it was before, it needs to improve more but it simply isn't accurate to say nothing has changed.

[Popsical]

All the new wd's are sealed in wrapper, i wont spend 6 quid on a mag i cant even see whats in it.
So, so far i cant comment on the content at all. White dwarf was brilliant up till the mid nineties then gw sucked at pretty much everything till the naughties imo. White dwarf hasnt recovered.

[Mr Mystery]

WD. Akin to having a staff member in printed form.

Ace for a new comer, good for those returning. However, less essential for those in full hobby bloom.

I enjoy the editorials, Vetock serves as a good counterpoint to Jervis, and the paint splatter guides make a wry pleasing alternative to the 'sod that, you talented bugger' of 'Eavy Metal.

I'll stick with my sub!

[Wildeybeast]

I agree with EG, it is much better. Prior to the revamp, it was basically just pages and pages of photos and advertising, now they actually have some articles. I agree it is nowhere near the glory days of free minis and trial rules for Mordheim, but it is better. I for one love the return to an insight into the design process, the 'conversations' with sculptors, designers and authors. As for correspondence Xeno, you can indeed send them letters. Check out the first page, under the photos of the WD team for info.

[Cap'nSmurfs]

It's way better. Lots of lovely big pictures, regular articles about interesting things (and whoever gave Vetock a column deserves a damn medal, that guy is my Hobby God), and coverage of most aspects of hobbydom every month. The writing's better, too. The tone of the thing is changing, too: what got me into the hobby were battle reports of the like of the one in 222, the "Rorke's Drift" scenario. And what are they doing in January's issue? Why, they're playing a no-points-value custom scenario for the hell of it. Reminds me of the good old days.

Reminds me of fun times. They lost that for a while, and now it's back (so far).

The new editor's pretty good, too. I christen him Thin Bloke.

[Verilance]

The only problem I have with the new direction is the trend in magazines these days that the larger the white border the better, however I much prefer it to those of recent past but I wax nostalgic about WD 1-50 even though those days will never return

[miteyheroes]

The front section, with the new models, is far too long. But the kitbash, real people's armies, Blanchitsu (oh my god Blanchitsu) and JJ & JV's columns are all gooooooood.

[Chris Copeland]

I'm LOVING where White Dwarf has gone recently: WAY more dedicated to the hobbyist and much less of a catalogue. The Battle Reports are far more readable now and I like that they are presented with real armies (not 'Eavy Metal models moved around to re-create whatever battle may have been fought). I like the point/counter-point discussions debating the merits of particular units over other units. The kit bash articles have been chock full o' goodness and paint splatter seems aimed at regular Joe painters (the results are actually achievable, not 'Eavy Metal level nonsense).

So, yes, I'm a fan of the new White Dwarf. Cheers!

[energongoodie]

Well it's still a heck of a lot better than it was before, it needs to improve more but it simply isn't accurate to say nothing has changed.

You are right of course and I apologise. I was just getting caught up in a sweeping generalisation.
I just want so much for it to be better.

[Chris Copeland]

I always wonder if there isn't a sheen of nostalgia over the memories of how good things used to be. I used to play AD&D back in the mid-eighties. I have very fond memories of how good that game system was (this was before Second Edition D&D). We had SO much fun back then. Also, Dragon magazine was something I looked forward to with baited breathe every month.

The thing is, I was a kid. I looked at the games I played (D&D, V&V, Call of Cthulhu), the movies I loved (Star Wars, Commando, the animated Lord of the Rings), the magazines I read (Dragon, Mad, Cracked, X-Men) with a young person's eyes. Nowadays, I see the world through the perspective of a man in his forties. It is hard to capture the childish joy of the things of my youth. I still enjoy my games, magazines, and movies with gusto. However, the past has a enjoyable aura that is hard to describe. I wonder if folks' fond memories of 2nd Edition 40K and old issues of White Dwarf are similarly tinged. Note: this is not to disparage anyone. I didn't read WD back then. I came to 40K as a gamer in his 30s (toward the end of Fourth Edition). Cheers. Cope

[energongoodie]

I always wonder if there isn't a sheen of nostalgia over the memories of how good things used to be. ........... I wonder if folks' fond memories of 2nd Edition 40K and old issues of White Dwarf are similarly tinged. Note: this is not to disparage anyone. I didn't read WD back then. I came to 40K as a gamer in his 30s (toward the end of Fourth Edition). Cheers. Cope

This is an excellent point which I wonder about myself. Tomorrow I will dig through some WD's and report back. :)

p.s Why not first edition?

[Chris Copeland]

p.s Why not first edition?

Because most of the old timers go on and on about the glory of 2nd and 3rd Editions. :)

[eldargal]

You are right of course and I apologise. I was just getting caught up in a sweeping generalisation.
I just want so much for it to be better.
Me too, I'm taking notes on each issue and will send an exhaustive critique to GW. It may not achieve anything but if they get enough constructive criticism they may make changes for the better.:)

[Psychosplodge]

Because most of the old timers go on and on about the glory of 2nd and 3rd Editions. :)

That's because 2nd was awesome, sooooooooo broken, but fun...

I should have put no more content, this realisation occurred because my brother picked January's up and promptly said, argos give you their catalogue not charge you five and half quid. I'll except it's not as bad, but it's certainly not lived up to the re-launch hype.

[Wildeybeast]

That's because 2nd was awesome, sooooooooo broken, but fun...

I should have put no more content, this realisation occurred because my brother picked January's up and promptly said, argos give you their catalogue not charge you five and half quid. I'll except it's not as bad, but it's certainly not lived up to the re-launch hype.

Would that be the internet rumour hype? I don't recall GW doing a lot in the way of promoting it prior to the relaunch and they certainly didn't promise anything they haven't delivered.

[Psychosplodge]

it was a short super hype thing...

You having a snow day Wildey?

[Wildeybeast]

Sure am! I spent a couple of hours in bed reading, then I went sledging with the dogs and my sis, thought I'd check in here and then maybe think about doing some work before getting a cheeky bit of painting in. It's great!

[Psychosplodge]

I regret not, 50% didn't turn in, problem is the boss only lives a mile down the road from me ¬_¬

[Wildeybeast]

It's not like you are doing any work anyway. I could have got in, but I don't think the buses would have, so they closed the school. And since my workplace is closed, I still get paid! Snowdays are the best days in the world.

[Psychosplodge]

I could argue the same for :D

I just space it efficiently through the day to do enough there's no point doing more it doesn't get you thought no better of, plus January's one of our quiet periods.

[Wildeybeast]

All good points.

[Psychosplodge]

That's because 2nd was awesome, sooooooooo broken, but fun...



See told you Second was awesome
http://24.media.tumblr.com/5f60ec2469fe456e1cce6b9bd369d6f5/tumblr_mh0e24ztw91rmnu19o1_500.jpg