American SNK Magazine

Blaine

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I was just sitting here thinking.

Aside from the problem that there aren't a whole lot of games flowing from SNK, making content a premium.

What would you be willing to pay for an Magazine all about Neo-Geo and SNK games?

Provided it was color, and of a nice quality and size.

$10 bucks an issue?
$20?
$35?
 

JHendrix

Jello Pudding Pop, Y'know? Like that whole Bill C
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Sorry, I wouldn't pay for it. There is no where near as much news for it as I'd like. Now maybe if it had like those cool ass stratagey guides for like MOTW where, it had the move and then a picture of it for every character.....

Peace

JHendrix
 

Blaine

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Originally posted by JHendrix:
<STRONG>Sorry, I wouldn't pay for it. There is no where near as much news for it as I'd like. Now maybe if it had like those cool ass stratagey guides for like MOTW where, it had the move and then a picture of it for every character.....

Peace

JHendrix</STRONG>

I'm guessing it'd HAVE to have a strategy section..and a fairly in-depth one at that, like half of the issue.
 

evil wasabi

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The magazine issue has been brought up before,
in fact !arcade! and shawn were gonna do one
or plan to do one if my memory serves me correctly.
And i will state again :whats the point?
ok i hear you youd like to see a full colour neo dedicated mag that has game reviews and adverts guides and so on,yeah well heres the problem games are not being released that often if at all so any reviews will be old ones,old news is dead news there are reviews and opinions for neo games in past magazines
and there are plenty of neo geo websites and forums to get a rundown on neo stuff and plenty people to ask about it,you can also if its an option go to your local arcade and play a game before making a purchase decision.
Game guides are a good idea to those that need them although personaly i think you should try to complete a level/game by yourself and again there are probably guides and people here on the internet willing to help.

A much better idea would be a one off full colour neo geo huge book which goes over the full history of neo geo and all of the equipment and stuff thats been released,
it should also have technical info and diagrams of MVS boards so it could double as a technical manual for mvs owners,the rest of the book should consist of all games that have been made by snk with a full every game released review 2 pages each game along with tips and guides.
The book would be quiet big but only one would need to be made,it could be made on demand for $50 each i would imagine.
But again the info could be found online but
a book would be cool.
 

JHendrix

Jello Pudding Pop, Y'know? Like that whole Bill C
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Yeah there you go, an indepth look at the Neo hardware! We could have pics of the systems, as well as the internals. Detailed specs, pics of the different types of Cabs, mvs boards. Throw in the tech manual for the MVS, as well as Supergun info. It would also be cool to put in stuff like fake adds for old neo games. We could even do a expose on evil NGF stickers <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
It would be pretty cool for a 1 issue deal.
I'd love to write some tech info for it, maybe even a review or two!


Peace

JHendrix
 

Blaine

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Yeah, the first thing I commented on was the lack of new games, making it hard to have a magazine...however I also noted that it was a general Neo Geo and SNK games.

I mean, Strikers 1945 Plus is new. Sengoku3 is new, NitD is new. Is it unthinkable that there will be a new game next year, if only one? I'd hope there would be.

Is it also unthinkable that SNK will make games for another system? Maybe switch to a more modern chipset and produce games?

Hey, I understand what everyone is saying but...come on. I'm not stupid. I didn't say "Hey, let's have a magazine which details the everflowing stream of games!".

And if it were even just a quarterly thing, there would still be enough influx of new material to make something. Capcom VS SNK 2 for example. The hardware specs and so on. I'd like to see a large hardware section, one of the magazines that got me thinking about this was GameLab.

I'd also like to see it be more than about the games. Interviews with ex and current SNK employees would be nice...I'm sure they wouldn't mind the free publicity.

These are just thoughts. But think about all the Musclecar magazines and collectable magazines on the market...I think it's feasable to make an SNK Enthusiast magazine.

I really don't think I'd have the time to pull it off, it would never make enough money for me to quit my job but...

A man can dream, can't he?
 

bugula

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it would be really nice to do what snknutball suggested. maybe if there were two magazines, one dedicated to hardware, etc and the other to the games. hell, a third could even be dedicated to the collectibles.
 

Blaine

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Three would be cool, but I don't think there'd be enough content to split it up... like I said, using all of those things that there MIGHT be enough to publish a reasonably sized quarterly.
 

bugula

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please, there'd be plenty of content for 2 seperate issues.

the hardware guide could feature information, photos, specs, and schematics for all pieces of SNK released hardware as well as back history, etc. the games guide could feature indepth walkthroughs of every game released, as well as a game timeline, and proto section.

it would definitely be a daunting task but if enough people were interested in it, the pieces could easily be split up ie Home Cart US, Home Cart JPN, Home Cart Eur, Games KOF, Games Puzzle, etc.
 

JHendrix

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Ok, seriously, I'd like to work on this. We could do stuff for it in our spare time. I have PageMaker, so we could do a magazine layout. Also, we may not need to actually sell the mag, we could just distribute as a PDF!
My MVS superGun was my senior project so I'll be writing a lot of technical info anyway. I'm sure we could get Shawn or some other people to give us some nice high res "glamor" pics of Neo hardware (AES, CD, CDZ, MVS, Pocket). And there are tons of people who'd want to write stuff for us. Also, if we just do a PDF, we could charge a much lower price (or none at all), as well as have a larger distribution. Yeah I know it wouldn't become rare, but still its a fun idea!

Peace

JHendrix
 

GregN

aka The Grinch
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I'd be in it for doing reviews.

I'm taking a technical writing class this fall, so some extra writing practice would be great!

Which reminds me.. I should start writing reviews for this site..
 

Blaine

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I have a full fledged desktop publishing suite and I've had every imaginable design class you can think of.

Photshop, Illustrator, Pagemaker, Acrobat or anything else you can think of.

Honestly, I'd be best suited to do cover art and layouts.

Two things however...two VERY important things.

#1 The PDF Idea is fine but I'd like to do a print magazine and..if all goes well over the course of 2 or 3 issues (i.e. there is no problem #2)I'd be willing to put up the printing costs, I know people and I could get a small run done for a reasonable price.

#2 Reliable people come in and you respect the deadline. I've gotten involved in too many projects that died WAY before it's time because people were unable to carry the workload..which means. You miss a deadline..you're in trouble. You miss two..you're gone. That includes me as well.

But I know there are a lot of people who have a great amount of initiative. Gabe, Big Bear and all the fellas who do the Inserts.

I'm not setting terms saying "I'm not doing this UNLESS!!!"...Hell, anyone could do this. But I'd just like to see it done right and done well...I've seen it from experience. Trust me.


Sorry for a lot of bullshit.

Also idea for a section... MVS inserts. If we do wind up printing the mag, it'd be a cool little cut-out section of a homemade insert (not that anyone would dare cut the magazine <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> )
 

JHendrix

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You want it you got it. I taught myself 3D/2D graphics, but I never had any formal training. I'd like to contribute some stuff, but if you want the head job, by all means.

Peace

JHendrix
 

Blaine

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Originally posted by JHendrix:
<STRONG>You want it you got it. I taught myself 3D/2D graphics, but I never had any formal training. I'd like to contribute some stuff, but if you want the head job, by all means.

Peace

JHendrix</STRONG>

he he he. I don't know if I do <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Hey if you know graphics, you know graphics. I can name you about 100 guys who work in the industry making big bucks who are all self taught.

I just got my degree so I'd have something to prove "Yo..I know this. Hire me."

Still keeping this as a "Hypothetical Experiment" type thing we'd need something like this..say we'd do..a 40 page magazine less the covers. Do the covers on a higher quality stock and use 2 pages of the 4 page spread for the cover and the other two for...oh say an insert.

Give away about 5 pages for stuff like editoral, subscription pages or even *gasp* advertising.

Gives us 35 pages of content for the mag.

Sections would be either 1,3 or 5 page spreads. 1 for say an small interview, rumors or a collection. 3 for a reveiw or full interview. 5 for a full blown walk through and the cover feature.

35 less the cover feature gives us 30 pages to use how we see fit..off the top of my head we'd need something like.

3 dedicated artists, or 5 part time artists
1 dedicated layout man...prepress stuff. No part timers, can't use them.

Say...6 1 page features, and 8 3 page features (at least half would be hardware related) for the remaining 30.

Which means...
3 dedicated writers, or 6 parttime writers (software)
2 dedicated hardware writers, 4 partime writers in rotation.

So going by those numbers...and best case scenario we subtract pages as we get adds...

we wind up with a figure that looks like

10 people, working fulltime (meaning you do the WHOLE project you're assigned too you) or upwards of say 20 partime people (collaborate on an article...notable exception of the layout/prepress guy).

Those are efficient, realistic numbers for a reasonable sized magazine worth the $XX.XX we'll charge (oh yeah, that is double digits). Hopefully breaking even.

So far we have Me and you Hendrix and I'll say we're partimers.

Who else would be willing to join?

And, arrogantly enough, why should we let you? *not arrogant. It's an important question...just because you have a computer and can speak the english language enough to read this doesn't mean you qualify <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> *


Any Takers?
 

chimpmeister

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First of all, I disagree with bugula that there is enough content for 2 or 3 magazines. That's ridiculous, there's barely enough to make one magazine these days, if even that. The hardware would take a few pages maybe, and the rest would be reviews of older games, strategy guides, etc. But all of this has been done before, there are literally TONS of great reviews on the web (go to Gargoyle7's site, you'll see some of the best there), the hardware is well documented with FAQs and pics, and there are also tons of great FAQs for strategy guides of games.

Michael Pittaro has been working on a nice Neo magazine (Neo Geo Enthusiast), put out one issue already and is currently working on the second one. He's experienced firsthand the expenses involved in printing a nice small magazine in full color.

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, why not contact Michael and offer to help with his magazine? Otherwise, lets face it; there just isn't enough of a market out there to make this kind of project worthwhile.

None of this is meant as an attack on you, Blaine; I have a lot of respect for you and think your posts at neo-geo.com really add a lot to the forums . . .
 

Blaine

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Originally posted by chimpmeister:
<STRONG>First of all, I disagree with bugula that there is enough content for 2 or 3 magazines. That's ridiculous, there's barely enough to make one magazine these days, if even that. The hardware would take a few pages maybe, and the rest would be reviews of older games, strategy guides, etc. But all of this has been done before, there are literally TONS of great reviews on the web (go to Gargoyle7's site, you'll see some of the best there), the hardware is well documented with FAQs and pics, and there are also tons of great FAQs for strategy guides of games.

Michael Pittaro has been working on a nice Neo magazine (Neo Geo Enthusiast), put out one issue already and is currently working on the second one. He's experienced firsthand the expenses involved in printing a nice small magazine in full color.

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, why not contact Michael and offer to help with his magazine? Otherwise, lets face it; there just isn't enough of a market out there to make this kind of project worthwhile.

None of this is meant as an attack on you, Blaine; I have a lot of respect for you and think your posts at neo-geo.com really add a lot to the forums . . .</STRONG>


Thanks Chimp. I was glad to see you post on the topic as you always have something intellegent to say.

I think that joining up with Michael would be the best idea for anyone wanting to contribute.

Funny how this all started. I was honestly just interested in how much someone would be willing to spend on an American SNK magazine.

Any contact info you can give the class Chimpmeister?
 

JHendrix

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I know I've been to his site before, but I don't have the URL. Can someone please post it?

Peace

JHendrix
 

bugula

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Originally posted by chimpmeister:
<STRONG>First of all, I disagree with bugula that there is enough content for 2 or 3 magazines. That's ridiculous, there's barely enough to make one magazine these days, if even that. The hardware would take a few pages maybe, and the rest would be reviews of older games, strategy guides, etc</STRONG>


ok, you tell me how you plan to get full technical docs, full page photos, marketing info, and specs on every single piece of SNK hardware into "a few pages".

people, the home cart isn't the only piece of hardware available.
 

bugula

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Originally posted by bugula:
<STRONG>
ok, you tell me how you plan to get full technical docs, full page photos, marketing info, and specs on every single piece of SNK hardware into "a few pages".

people, the home cart isn't the only piece of hardware available.</STRONG>


the only way people are going to find this whole thing interesting is if it's the end all be all of neo information. think about it as the NeoGeo bible. perhaps i'm the only one without such a narrow view.
 

JHendrix

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I agree, it would have to be the equivalent of a Neo Geo bible, at least to be worth the price. How many issues we produce would also depend on how many pages we make the magazine. I’m not sure who we could get to advertise, I doubt we could get SNK to advertise, although it would be cool to have some made up Neo adds in there. We may get a few adds from websites, but I doubt it.
Also, could you post up the URL for Michael’s website.

Peace

JHendrix
 

bugula

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Originally posted by JHendrix:
<STRONG>I agree, it would have to be the equivalent of a Neo Geo bible, at least to be worth the price. How many issues we produce would also depend on how many pages we make the magazine</STRONG>

it'd have to be the equivalent of a bible, not to justify the price, but to justify people actually purchasing it. think of it more as a one-shot rather than an ongoing series of magazine issues.

if this was just filled with your typical reviews, etc, it wouldn't be worth the purchase and a thread's already been done regarding the topic of a magazine and many people thought it would be useless.

if you were to create something that came close to answering any question that any person could ever ask regarding the NeoGeo systems, then people would buy it and use it as a reference.
 

JHendrix

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We’d only need like 4 reviews or so. KOF2k, MS3, Sengoku 3, and NitD. Maybe some one Capcom vs SNK Pro, and a preview of CvS2 and some of the other SNK games, if we can, get some screen shots of SS5, KOF2k1, and MS4 from SNK (it’ll be for free publicity, they may go for it). I was thinking about a feature on how to build a SuperGun. Or maybe a feature on what Neo system is right for you. An expose on emulation, and why its just not as good as having the games.
Some of the better collections would make a nice feature. You know, put stuff in there that would be issues relevant to the neo community today.

Peace

JHendrix
 

Blaine

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Originally posted by JHendrix:
<STRONG>We’d only need like 4 reviews or so. KOF2k, MS3, Sengoku 3, and NitD. Maybe some one Capcom vs SNK Pro, and a preview of CvS2 and some of the other SNK games, if we can, get some screen shots of SS5, KOF2k1, and MS4 from SNK (it’ll be for free publicity, they may go for it). I was thinking about a feature on how to build a SuperGun. Or maybe a feature on what Neo system is right for you. An expose on emulation, and why its just not as good as having the games.
Some of the better collections would make a nice feature. You know, put stuff in there that would be issues relevant to the neo community today.

Peace

JHendrix</STRONG>

I'd agree that newer games NEED reveiws..KoF for the GBA would be a prime candidate as the first SNK game for that system, and the high standard that SSFIIXAdvanced will set.

But still...I didn't know what the best golf game for the Neo was and I had to post the topic asking. I'm sure there are games that could be given a reveiw, a second chance maybe for them?

Great ideas for articles btw.
 
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