16bit fanzine?

[Wil]

I'm sure there have been threads about this sort of thing before but I'll do it again. Are there any decent current fanzines about that concentrate on the 8/16bit era (PCE/SFC/MD ect). I'm not really interested in net stuff.

Does anybody make fanzines anymore?

Anyone fancy starting one up? I could just go a intelligently written slick and colourful little mag about this stuff. Lots of sprites and stuff, slight leaning towards the Japanese stuff (as is my wont).

I've even got a name - Hyper Bit!

Wil

[Sketcz]

Funny you should mention that actually...

I was discussing a similar idea with a guy on RLLMUK, lamenting how retro mags these days tend to spread over several different subjects. As opposed to, for example, covering just one system like the SNES in-depth as a one-off.

Not really fanzine related, but this topic did start regarding the SNES and a one-off massive almanac being made:

http://www.rllmukforum.com/index.php?showtopic=90429&st=0&#entry2050934

Similar to the Famicom one we mention, which is basically the A-Z of everything for that machine in one book.


But yeah, I'd love to read a fanzine on these older systems, especially since all I seem to do is play retro these days. Been playing my modded MD2 all week, I just love the sprites it uses. haven't touched a current-gen system in weeks. And even then it was only for Alien Hominid.

I'd like it to cover and feature the games I've yet to play, so as to guide me to my next 16-bit retro purchase. Since right now its hit and miss, though I do enjoy the 007 game they made for the MD that I discovered.

Hell, if someone has the massive motivation needed to do such a thing seriously, count me in to write something here and there...

[Wil]

A book like that is a really nice idea but, as was already mentioned in the rllmuk thread, a massive undertaking. Unless you've got a proper publisher funding it, it's probably way out of the league of the 'amateur'. Especially if you've got the added problem of trying to co-ordinate writers, photographers and content who are a) not getting paid and b) are scattered all over the country.

I was basically thinking of a smaller project. I've all but given up on games mags now. They just don't offer me anything I want to read or look at. I have two real 'eras' in my gaming life that I'm interested in - a very UK centric home computer Speccy/C64 time and a very Japanese skewed SFC/GB/MD time. They're both subjects I'd like to do a mag/fanzine on (in very different styles) so I thought I'd put the idea out there. I'd be up for editorial, design and artwork but I couldn't do it all myself.

Of course, if there's a willing publisher with a wad of cash - get in touch!

Wil

[babs]

I'd like to see one that was more art driven than old reviews, 8/16bit basically means sprites to me, it's all that I think of when I think back. Bright, cheery sprites

[Sketcz]

True, so true. In the end, it's a question of wether a publisher is willing ti risk money on such a venture.

Anyway, I've pledged at least a single written piece to such a venture, so if you get some like-minded individuals and want to go ahead with it, drop me a PM.

[Big Seany]

I will also write for your fanzine, dude. Just drop me a line.

[Mad Gear]

I'd love one big thick mag for each of the main players, ie PCE, MD and SFC.

It would have a list in the back of all games released for each machine in the 3 main regions.
All games of merit would get a brand new review.
The first chapter would go though the complete history of the machine from concept to its demise.
Also a complete chapter relating to various add-ons etc

Would be super sweet.

[Big Seany]

Mad Gear is spot on - although a Neo Geo one would also be required.

[wheelaa]

I'd help out too. I'm actually doing something along mad gears lines for the jp md anyway as I want it all in the collection. So who's gonna sell me nagoya then!

[RetroRevival]

Idividual system magazines and fanzines would not last in todays world, and that is the problem.

Yes it would be great to see one, but the potential readership is severly hampered by only having one machine covered, and lets be honest, how many people would actually buy / download a magazine that was solely concentrating on one subject (apart from the hardcore of course)?

As for creating your own fanzine, why not? I create mine with a few other people and it is possible, however it does take a heck of a lot of time to complete each issue, what with life, work et al.

In fact the thing that takes the most amount of time is formatting and editing the articles, and unless you have someone who can devote a lot of time to this, well the idea is failed before it has begun.

As for having it printed, thats a totally different ball game altogether, and the reason why after a few months of research we have decided to release Retro Revival on cdrom (mor than anything to keep costs down to a bare minimum).

Even if you do it this way, there is no g'tee that people will buy it, and this is something that has to be realised and accepted before you start to put in the work.

Regards
Simon

[Wil]

Ummm... not sure I agree with you about individual system mags not selling and fanzines are done for the love of it, not with potential readerships or dreams of going pro in mind.

I'm well aware of the work that has to go into such a project, having spent the last 20 years working in advertising, magazine design and illustration. You could quite easily have a print version using one of the numerous print-on-demand services. As much as I use the computer I'm not a lover of online/cd mags (although I'm sure you create a great one!).

I imagine this will be another project that will end up as a few notes jotted down in my ideas book (heaven knows, I've got enough on my plate as it is) but for today it kept my enthusiasm up in the sweltering heat.

Wil

[Mad Gear]

Yeah i think with the power of Ebay and the multiple gaming forums around the globe something like this would be rather successful if done right.
I actually made a hard-backed book in my late teens reviewing all my MD games. Only myself and a few mates actually saw it but i think it was rather spiffy. Don't know where it ended up though :/

I'd be well up for reviewing some stuff if needs be.

[RetroRevival]

The cost of decent printed copies of something as small as a 50 sided (25 page) magazine is extortionate here in the UK, hence my reasoning to keep it on cd for now.

Not to mention the fact that I have acquired some exclusive multimedia content for future issues, which is something you cannot do with printed material, unless you want to increase the costs.

Maybe someone knows of a decent print-on-demand service in the UK that I know nothing of, if so PLEASEEEE let me know, my readers are dying to see the fanzine in print :-)

Regards
Simon