So issue 001 is out.
You can buy it digitally from Itch or through DriveThruRPG.
We also have print copies out in the world.
It’s madness. I’ve yet to hold a physical copy in my own hands yet, but even when I do I’m still not sure it will feel real. Many a time have I attempted a creative project but this is one of a handful of times I saw it through to completion. And I’m greedy for this feeling. I want more.
Of course I look at our issue 001 baby and I simultaneously love it and can see nothing but its flaws. If I had my time over, I’d likely try to do the whole thing again, even if it only made it marginally better. But time marches on and Kat and I have to look forward. As a friend recently counselled, “Take note of those things, but don’t let it get in the way of being happy about it being out in the world.” We’ve already made some layout and design changes and will continue to do so as bit by bit Never Mind the Dice Rolls will become everything we hoped it could be and more.
We’ve had some lovely feedback. The zine’s performance on digital platforms has been pleasantly surprising even if it’s unlikely to rock the indie game publishing world. We’ve learnt more about the process and are more prepared than ever to go forward to issue 002, our Halloween issue, due of course in October.
For issue 002 we reached out to artist Michael Malkin to work on the cover. Please check out his Artstation and Patreon. We are supremely lucky to have him working on this issue.
Issue 002 being our Halloween issue, it will feature, amongst other spooky content, a short parody paranormal investigation game that I designed called “The Y-Documents”. I pitched the concept to Michael with some examples of the kind of look and feel I wanted for the cover (thank you art direction lessons). Michael created these 4 basic designs for us to choose from. Consider this a sneak peek into the creative process behind our next issue.
(Note: These mockup concepts do not represent the final design, also if you look closely they are all on colour-shifted versions of issue 001’s cover, for our convenience.)
We have made our choice (which we will reveal properly later) and Michael is working on the cover now. We can’t wait for you to see it. – Nick