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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

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Thu, 07/06/2006 - 17:26
english
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Can anyone give me their opinions of the knucklebones mag please?

http://www.kbones.com

I'm thinking of including it in our marketing mix but would like to get a 'feel' for the content from existing readers first.

I notice Pat is listed as an advertiser with liveoakgames, what do you think of it?

What kind of market is the readership?

e.g. families, euro/german gamer fans, wargamers - my initial impression is that it looks like it gives all genres fair representation.

Also, does anyone know the circulation figures/readership numbers - I can't seem to find them on there site.

Thanks in advance.

Carl

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Fri, 07/07/2006 - 08:33
#1
LSJ
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

The target seems to be eurogamers and people interested in being designers or interested in the design aspect. Game reviews, what's new and coming, and designer interviews. Lately they've also diluted their original focus and added puzzles (a la the pencilwise section of GAMES magazine). Only not as well done as pencilwise (and a real negative, IMO -- if I want pencilwise, I'll get GAMES; here it just looks lost and out of place).

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Fri, 07/07/2006 - 11:07
#2
english
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

Thanks for the update LSJ - methinks this might be a little off-target for our audience then.

c

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Fri, 07/07/2006 - 11:38
#3
Dralius
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

LSJ wrote:
The target seems to be eurogamers and people interested in being designers or interested in the design aspect.

I have a subscription and after reading 3 issues I would disagree that it is just for eurogamers and designers. They do include eurogaming content but also include mass market games, classic games and the latest issue had a little primer on wargaming. I would say that Knuclebones is a potpourri of gaming not focusing too much on any one area.

I do agree that the puzzle section could be left out.

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Fri, 07/07/2006 - 12:00
#4
english
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

Thanks Dralius,

Now that sounds a bit more encouraging (it really does help to get different views on these things).

We are aiming more for the family with 8-12 year olds so if it includes mass market as well as the more niche (okay eurogames seem to be growing into a bigger niche) then it might have more merit as a marketing tool for us.

I'm going to be getting in touch with them directly but was wanting to get a feel from any readers first.

Thanks for the comments guys.

c

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Fri, 07/07/2006 - 14:11
#5
markmist
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

I agree that Knucklebones would be a good fit for what you are looking for. The content is varied, but 90% of the mag is geared for a general audience and presentated in a highly accessible format. They tend to take a broad focus on games focusing mostly on categories of games and historical information.

I really like the mag, but I only wish that there was a section that went more in depth on specific games and strategies. As it is, it is a very light read - except for some of the reviews.

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Sat, 07/08/2006 - 23:25
#6
FastLearner
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

I've also read 3 or 4 issues and would agree that it's primarily targeted and families and casual gaming. Though it certainly has representation of eurogaming (designer interviews, reviews of some eurogames), even then the editorial style seems designed to keep it accessible to folks who've only played a few mass-market traditional boardgames.

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Sun, 07/09/2006 - 11:03
#7
Esper_Ranger
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

I got a free July issue of the mag at Origins last weekend. I was saving reading it for my 13 hour plane trip to Japan later this month. It looks like it should be interesting for tabletop gamers as the red tab to the left of the the logo says. If it entertains me then I may very well subscribe, or at least look for it each month at Borders.

The July cover has a gorgeous pic of a handcrafted horse racing game set in a arena.

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Sun, 07/09/2006 - 16:52
#8
english
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I'm going to get in touch with them this week and then review the options available.

cheers

c

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Sun, 07/09/2006 - 17:08
#9
DavemanUK
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...and party games

Yup, I've just started on my subscription at issue #4 and found it very easy reading covering a wide range of game types including quite a few party/word games that would appeal to both families and gamers for an end of session laugh :)

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Sat, 07/15/2006 - 15:42
#10
braincog
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knucklebones mag - content of, general opinions?

I've been getting Knucklebones from the start and find it to be enjoyable. Definitely more for a general audience than for any particular niche. Some interesting histories, case studies, reviews, references of important events, etc. I don't think there is any genre of game that they wouldn't include some content about if they thought it might be interesting to people who consider themselve gaming enthusiasts.

My game, Portrayal, was also listed in the last issue as a new release, which I found rather cool and exciting, so I'm perhaps a bit biased. I also met the editors at the New York Toy Fair and thought they were nice people, so I'm maybe even more biased. AND, Knucklebones is based out of WI in a town not too far from where I grew up, so I'm maybe biased a lot. :-)

Bill

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