The Inside Scoop on Gaming

**First, I feel I must inform you that I have been requested to write this review in order to get a position as a reviewer for PTGPTB. While I will be as impartial as possible, given my fondness for the magazine, I felt it best to inform you of the potential source of bias.**

Now, the review.

So, what's this PTGPTB thing, anyways? An E-zine, edited by Steve Darlington, and with articles submitted by both regular writers and people who just had something to submit. Many of the people who send stuff in are also forum regulars here at rpg.net.

What do the letters stand for? Places to go, people to be. It's a bit long for people to constantly type out, so usually when talking about it people use the acronym.

Where can I find it? Look here. You can get the current issue as well as an archive of all old ones at the site.

What's the focus of the magazine? PTGPTB is a general gaming ezine, so it covers issues related to gaming in general rather than dealing with aspects related to specific game systems. It appears to tend more toward the Narrativist style of roleplay, and may have less to offer hardcore Gamists and Simulationists.

Most of the essays deal with meta-gaming issues common to all gaming, but has very few actual pre-written plots, for example, and nothing dealing with actual rule sets.

What are some regular features? One notable one is the History of Gaming column. It covers the developement of gaming from its roots in wargaming to where it is now.

More recently, a handful of articles on, well it's extremely hard to define exactly what these articles are on, but they're there, have been written by the estimable Dr. Rotwang! of rpg.net forum fame. They are clever, witty, amusing, and at times even actually comprehensible.

Is it any good? Yes. I've been a regular reader for some time, and in order to write this review I took the time to read through the entire web archive, and I've been very rarely disappointed. The focus is useful for a

What are some things worth looking for in the archive? Well, the most notable item, in my opinion, is the two-essay section on the case of Dallas Egbert. I'm sure all of you have heard about the kid who played d&d in the steam tunnels and then ran away/killed himself? Well, here we have the whole, real story, and it's not quite the same as the versions you've probably heard. The essays are in depth, well written, and worth keeping on hand in case someone tells you that old rumor about the evils of d&d, so you can wave the truth in their face and shout HA! in a loud voice, thus hurting your case and making you look foolish. Look in issues 6 and 7 for this.

The entire history of roleplaying series is a must-see, too. No matter how much you know about the history of the hobby, there is bound to be something in here that you either haven't seen before or forgot about.

M. Joseph Young's articles on law enforcement and justice are worth a look as well. See issues 9-11.

What problems are there with it? Hmm, let me see. Since many of the articles are submitted by non-regulars, the quality and adherence to the focus can vary. Still, it's mostly good.

Hey, Steve, could you introduce some huge, gaping flaws to make it easier to review? Pretty please?

So, who should read it Those interested in game theory. Narrativist GMs. Hardcore roleplayers of all shapes, sorts and varieties.

Who wouldn't like it? Casual gamers with no real interest in the hobby as a whole. Strict gamists or simulationists. People looking for rules or stats.

Why did you write this in question and answer form? Because I felt like it. Deal with it.

What if I don't want to? That's your problem, not mine.

That's not a nice thing to say. Tough.

So there you have it. PTGPTB isn't useful or interesting to everyone, but those in the intended audience should find it helpful and entertaining.

Check it out. Read Dr. Rotwang!'s articles if nothing else, but give it a look.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Places to Go, People to Be
Author: Steve Darlington et al. Category: magazine Company/Publisher: n/a Line: n/a Cost: FREE Capsule Review by Eric "Random Nerd" Eves on 12/07/00. Genre tags: Fantasy Science fiction Modern day Horror Far Future Space Comedy Espionage Conspiracy Post-apocalypse Diceless Generic	First, I feel I must inform you that I have been requested to write this review in order to get a position as a reviewer for PTGPTB. While I will be as impartial as possible, given my fondness for the magazine, I felt it best to inform you of the potential source of bias. Now, the review. So, what's this PTGPTB thing, anyways? An E-zine, edited by Steve Darlington, and with articles submitted by both regular writers and people who just had something to submit. Many of the people who send stuff in are also forum regulars here at rpg.net. What do the letters stand for? Places to go, people to be. It's a bit long for people to constantly type out, so usually when talking about it people use the acronym. Where can I find it? Look here. You can get the current issue as well as an archive of all old ones at the site. What's the focus of the magazine? PTGPTB is a general gaming ezine, so it covers issues related to gaming in general rather than dealing with aspects related to specific game systems. It appears to tend more toward the Narrativist style of roleplay, and may have less to offer hardcore Gamists and Simulationists. Most of the essays deal with meta-gaming issues common to all gaming, but has very few actual pre-written plots, for example, and nothing dealing with actual rule sets. What are some regular features? One notable one is the History of Gaming column. It covers the developement of gaming from its roots in wargaming to where it is now. More recently, a handful of articles on, well it's extremely hard to define exactly what these articles are on, but they're there, have been written by the estimable Dr. Rotwang! of rpg.net forum fame. They are clever, witty, amusing, and at times even actually comprehensible. Is it any good? Yes. I've been a regular reader for some time, and in order to write this review I took the time to read through the entire web archive, and I've been very rarely disappointed. The focus is useful for a What are some things worth looking for in the archive? Well, the most notable item, in my opinion, is the two-essay section on the case of Dallas Egbert. I'm sure all of you have heard about the kid who played d&d in the steam tunnels and then ran away/killed himself? Well, here we have the whole, real story, and it's not quite the same as the versions you've probably heard. The essays are in depth, well written, and worth keeping on hand in case someone tells you that old rumor about the evils of d&d, so you can wave the truth in their face and shout HA! in a loud voice, thus hurting your case and making you look foolish. Look in issues 6 and 7 for this. The entire history of roleplaying series is a must-see, too. No matter how much you know about the history of the hobby, there is bound to be something in here that you either haven't seen before or forgot about. M. Joseph Young's articles on law enforcement and justice are worth a look as well. See issues 9-11. What problems are there with it? Hmm, let me see. Since many of the articles are submitted by non-regulars, the quality and adherence to the focus can vary. Still, it's mostly good. Hey, Steve, could you introduce some huge, gaping flaws to make it easier to review? Pretty please? So, who should read it Those interested in game theory. Narrativist GMs. Hardcore roleplayers of all shapes, sorts and varieties. Who wouldn't like it? Casual gamers with no real interest in the hobby as a whole. Strict gamists or simulationists. People looking for rules or stats. Why did you write this in question and answer form? Because I felt like it. Deal with it. What if I don't want to? That's your problem, not mine. That's not a nice thing to say. Tough. So there you have it. PTGPTB isn't useful or interesting to everyone, but those in the intended audience should find it helpful and entertaining. Check it out. Read Dr. Rotwang!'s articles if nothing else, but give it a look. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Places to Go, People to Be