The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Places to Go, People to Be (http://ptgptb.humbug.org.au) has now been running for just over two years, and in that time has managed to establish itself in my small list of must visit sites. It started life as a small e-zine devoted to role-playing and role-playing games, to be written by gamers for gamers. It has stayed true to this aim, though has moved slightly beyond its initial focus on Australia, and now has a much more international flavour.

The Current Issue

The current issue of PtGPtB was published in April 2000. It contains four regular features, and four articles. The regular features include: Highlights on recent industry news; Once Upon a Time, where guests reminisce about their introduction to, and early experiences with, gaming; Gaming Links, which has links to various gaming, and resource material on the internet; and the Readers Forum, where the comments of readers are published.

If the regular features are the bread and butter of the 'zine, then the articles are the filling. PtGPtB now receives submissions from all over the world, and issue 12 carries articles from the editor himself, the inimitable Dr. Rotwang!, Altin Gavranovic and Darren Maclennan.

In past issues, the articles have tended to focus on meta-gaming issues, rather than presenting specific adventures. Altin's Designer Roleplaying is one such meta-gaming article, providing interesting and useful tips for game masters when designing adventures. What is even better is that this is part one, so more tips will be forthcoming in the next issue.

Steve D then has a look at trying to define role-playing games. While this has been done many times before, and will no doubt be done many times in the future, Steve brings his own brand of humour to bear on the topic. While I'm still not sure whether he finally managed to define it, I do agree with his closing sentiments.

Another topic that has been doing the rounds of late is whether RPGs are Art. Well, we get Dr. Rotwangs view on this, not to mention why he hated Boogie Nights. And yes, there is a connection.

The final article, and the first time for it, is an adventure outline. It is written so as to be generic, though I don't think it would suit anything other than a fantasy campaign. Well, no offense intended to Darren Maclennan, but this brings me to my first complaint with PtGPtB. It is not that there is anything wrong with the adventure itself, but I've always viewed PtGPtB as a meta-gaming e-zine, and the inclusion of adventures was something I was hoping wouldn't occur. I guess it remains to be seen whether this will become a regular feature.

Summary

There is much more that I could say about Places to Go, People to Be, but to do that I'd probably have to review every issue so far released. Let me just say that all of the previous issues are still available, so you can still check out the in depth History of Role-Playing (in 9 parts), and lots of invaluable tips for GMs on everything from starting adventures, to Law Enforcement.

While the site is not particularly flashy, having simple graphics and fairly plain type, who really cares? Their aim is to present interesting and useful information to gamers, and this it does in spades. And given that this is all provided for free, you can't find better value.

Of course, there is one major problem with Places to Go, People to Be. You have to wait two months between issues. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to lurk around the RPGNet forums until then.

Style: 3 (Average)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Places to Go, People to Be
Author: Various Category: E-zine Company/Publisher: Steve Darlington (Editor) Line: n/a Cost: Free Page count: n/a Capsule Review by Paul Eccleston on 04/17/00. Genre tags: Generic	Places to Go, People to Be (http://ptgptb.humbug.org.au) has now been running for just over two years, and in that time has managed to establish itself in my small list of must visit sites. It started life as a small e-zine devoted to role-playing and role-playing games, to be written by gamers for gamers. It has stayed true to this aim, though has moved slightly beyond its initial focus on Australia, and now has a much more international flavour. The Current Issue The current issue of PtGPtB was published in April 2000. It contains four regular features, and four articles. The regular features include: Highlights on recent industry news; Once Upon a Time, where guests reminisce about their introduction to, and early experiences with, gaming; Gaming Links, which has links to various gaming, and resource material on the internet; and the Readers Forum, where the comments of readers are published. If the regular features are the bread and butter of the 'zine, then the articles are the filling. PtGPtB now receives submissions from all over the world, and issue 12 carries articles from the editor himself, the inimitable Dr. Rotwang!, Altin Gavranovic and Darren Maclennan. In past issues, the articles have tended to focus on meta-gaming issues, rather than presenting specific adventures. Altin's Designer Roleplaying is one such meta-gaming article, providing interesting and useful tips for game masters when designing adventures. What is even better is that this is part one, so more tips will be forthcoming in the next issue. Steve D then has a look at trying to define role-playing games. While this has been done many times before, and will no doubt be done many times in the future, Steve brings his own brand of humour to bear on the topic. While I'm still not sure whether he finally managed to define it, I do agree with his closing sentiments. Another topic that has been doing the rounds of late is whether RPGs are Art. Well, we get Dr. Rotwangs view on this, not to mention why he hated Boogie Nights. And yes, there is a connection. The final article, and the first time for it, is an adventure outline. It is written so as to be generic, though I don't think it would suit anything other than a fantasy campaign. Well, no offense intended to Darren Maclennan, but this brings me to my first complaint with PtGPtB. It is not that there is anything wrong with the adventure itself, but I've always viewed PtGPtB as a meta-gaming e-zine, and the inclusion of adventures was something I was hoping wouldn't occur. I guess it remains to be seen whether this will become a regular feature. Summary There is much more that I could say about Places to Go, People to Be, but to do that I'd probably have to review every issue so far released. Let me just say that all of the previous issues are still available, so you can still check out the in depth History of Role-Playing (in 9 parts), and lots of invaluable tips for GMs on everything from starting adventures, to Law Enforcement. While the site is not particularly flashy, having simple graphics and fairly plain type, who really cares? Their aim is to present interesting and useful information to gamers, and this it does in spades. And given that this is all provided for free, you can't find better value. Of course, there is one major problem with Places to Go, People to Be. You have to wait two months between issues. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to lurk around the RPGNet forums until then. Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)