battleeditor | 31 Aug 2016 6:58 a.m. PST |
I have received numerous queries relating to the magazine in recent days and since many of these issues relate to matters over which I have no control, such as the digital edition and the new 16pp fantasy & sci-fi section announced in an ad in Tabletop Gaming today, it seems best to let you know about developments as they relate to me. Issue 402 will be my final issue of MWBG. The publishers want to try some new ideas to take the magazine forward, as is of course their right, so I have decided that it would be best if someone with a fresh perspective shouldered that responsibility, and my resignation, which was accepted last week, takes effect once this issue goes to press. Warners are in the process of appointing my successor who will take over from issue 403. No appointment has yet been made as far as I am aware, but of course I am sure that whoever takes over will do a great job. I shall be saying my formal farewells in my final Briefing of issue 402 which goes to press at the end of next week, and of course you'll also read my final Forward Observer, World Wide Wargaming and the last instalment of the Wars of the Faltenian Succession. Lots to do! Therefore, I would be grateful if you would allow me to complete my task as best I can over the next ten days or so, in order that this issue is up to the same standard as all the previous ones. Whilst I shall do my best to keep track of online comments, I must concentrate on doing a professional job right to the end, and the fact is that there will be many questions to which I simply cannot provide answers, and it is the team at Warners to whom queries should be addressed (contact details are all on page 3 of the magazine). I shall therefore refrain from commenting until my task is complete. In addition, it must ask you to stop sending me submissions – until a successor is appointed, I can only pass them on to Warners for the next Editor to assess. Moreover, those of you who have already sent me submissions must let me know whether, for any reason, you do not wish your article(s) to be passed on to Warners. I shall assume that, unless I hear from you, you are happy for your article(s) to remain in the content armoury for the magazine going forward and the new editor will be in touch in due course. It has been a pleasure and an honour to have steered the merger of Battlegames with Miniature Wargames, and I cannot express how grateful I am for all the support I have recieved over my ten years in wargame magazine production from all of you, but it is time for me to leave my baby behind and move on to pastures new, and of course you all know where to find me online. I am sure that the team at Warners will keep you apprised of future developments and I wish them, and the magazine, every success for the future. Henry
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Ed Mohrmann | 31 Aug 2016 7:39 a.m. PST |
Thanks, Henry – I've really enjoyed the magazine under your leadership. Best of luck in future endeavors |
Der Alte Fritz | 31 Aug 2016 7:52 a.m. PST |
Thank you for many years of outstanding wargaming magazines published under your watch. I liked the direction in which you steered BGMW with regards to content, layout style, pictures and graphics and hope that your successor will continue to incorporate some of these elements in post-402 issues. After a decade of publishing, you are entitled to a much deserved and probably needed break from the hectic schedule of a monthly publication. Jim |
Dale Hurtt | 31 Aug 2016 8:21 a.m. PST |
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rmaker | 31 Aug 2016 8:38 a.m. PST |
Thank you, Henry. You will be missed. Here's hoping that Warners will find a better than adequate replacement (no easy task). |
Reactionary | 31 Aug 2016 8:48 a.m. PST |
Thanks Henry, the second Don Featherstone hangs up his editorial pen. |
M1Fanboy | 31 Aug 2016 8:59 a.m. PST |
God speed, Henry, and thank you! |
normsmith | 31 Aug 2016 9:15 a.m. PST |
I don't want this to be true! Thanks for all your efforts and the significant contribution you have made to the hobby, plus inspiration you have given to many individual gamers and writers All the best for your future plans. I only hope Warners know what they are doing. |
Ottoathome | 31 Aug 2016 9:17 a.m. PST |
Dear Henry ITYS! But thank you for your hard work and effort over the years. Otto |
Mirosav | 31 Aug 2016 9:24 a.m. PST |
Sad to hear you are leaving. Perhaps this is why my subscription auto-payment was cancelled earlier week? |
ubercommando | 31 Aug 2016 9:27 a.m. PST |
Very sad news indeed. I hope the magazine continues and keeps maintaining the high standards you set. |
Ney Ney | 31 Aug 2016 9:41 a.m. PST |
Oh Man! This is sad news but I hope you do well going forwards. MW was poor before Henry took it over so let us hope it does not desend back to the bad days. Edit, i hadn't read MW for years then picked up some copies after reading good things on this very website. and now it goes again. |
Joes Shop | 31 Aug 2016 9:42 a.m. PST |
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McKinstry | 31 Aug 2016 9:44 a.m. PST |
I look forward to seeing your next project and I am certain it will be a plus for the hobby. |
Trajanus | 31 Aug 2016 10:15 a.m. PST |
To echo Ney Ney. MW was at a very low ebb before Henry took over and he has restored it to more than parity with the other mainstream Wargames magazines. Here's hoping that his successor can keep up the standard. On a personal level I've been seriously thinking of dropping at least one of Wargames Illustrated, WSS and MW for some time now. It would be a shame if the decision was made for me. |
Captain Cook | 31 Aug 2016 10:45 a.m. PST |
Sixteen pages of Sci-fant, I know which I will be dropping. Best wishes for the future Henry. |
War Artisan | 31 Aug 2016 11:17 a.m. PST |
It sounds to me more like MW/BG is moving on from Henry rather than the other way around. I'm sure Warners have a plan that they think will improve the magazine's business footing (and it very well may); how that will affect the quality of the publication remains to be seen. As far as editorial excellence and the alignment of content with my gaming interests . . . well, let's just say that the portents are not favorable. On the other hand, I have followed Henry's work as he moved from strength to strength, and I was beginning to get the impression that the monthly grind of putting out MW/BG was becoming a bit of an anchor. Being cut loose from that may free him up to do something even greater, and I'm looking forward to seeing what that is. |
(Phil Dutre) | 31 Aug 2016 12:21 p.m. PST |
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Colonel Bogey | 31 Aug 2016 12:55 p.m. PST |
Wow – very sorry to hear this news. Henry: I wish you the very best in completing your current issue, and look forward to hearing about your plans for the future in due course. |
Shagnasty | 31 Aug 2016 1:51 p.m. PST |
Best wishes. I enjoyed the magazine under your editorship. |
battleeditor | 31 Aug 2016 3:17 p.m. PST |
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Northern Monkey | 31 Aug 2016 10:59 p.m. PST |
Sounds like the death knell of Miniature Wargames. The bigger the corporation, the more removed they are from their audience, the more stupid the decisions they make. I predict a total train crash. |
Caliban | 01 Sep 2016 1:30 a.m. PST |
Thanks for all your hard work, Henry. |
EricThe Shed | 01 Sep 2016 2:00 a.m. PST |
Just like to echo all the comments here… you should be proud of what you have achieved over the last few years. My old man was a trade magazine journalist/editor (different industry) so I do appreciate all the hard work you have put in. Its individuals like you that keep this hobby going and helping to promote the industry. I wish you all the very best in your next venture and if I see you at Colours I'll be sure to shake your hand. Eric the Shed. |
Karellian Knight | 01 Sep 2016 6:26 a.m. PST |
Sad news, the magazine had got better and better under your care. The new editor has colossal shoes to fill. |
parrskool | 01 Sep 2016 6:33 a.m. PST |
I totally agree Karellian Knight. I hope the new staff don't let things lapse in pursuit of the $$$$ |
Oudinot | 01 Sep 2016 12:50 p.m. PST |
I agree with everything that has already been said. But how many of us had heard of Combat Stress before reading about it in Battlegames? I had'nt. We've been able to raise money through plastic bag charges in our shops for Combat Stress after reading about it in Battlegames, and a Combat Stress flyer picked up in one of our shops by a neighbour of a veteran saved that veteran from divorce and suicide because of the help he received. Good luck for the future Henry and thank you. |
arthur1815 | 01 Sep 2016 2:30 p.m. PST |
I can only agree with the comments above and wish Henry every success in whatever he does next. It was a tremendous achievement to create Battlegames as a magazine to rival the long established WI and MW on the shelves of WH Smiths, and the merger with MW was – in content and editorial style – more a takeover by BG than the billing on the cover might suggest. Henry is also to be commended for using his magazine and position in the hobby to bring Combat Stress to our notice and raise a considerable sum for this very worthwhile cause. He will be a hard act to follow and I fear War Artisan may well be proved right… |
robert piepenbrink | 01 Sep 2016 7:13 p.m. PST |
Henry, best of luck in the future, and my very deep appreciation for your contributions to the hobby so far. If you can, take a little time in the Loftwaffe before going forward. You've earned it. |
Marc at work | 02 Sep 2016 5:34 a.m. PST |
Interesting developments. Henry – my good wishes for your future. I will b interested to see what you turn your attention to next (a fully worked up campaign guide book for the Faltentian Wars maybe…). I will not make knee-jerk comments about the future mag, and will wait with interest to see how it develops. For me, BG was "OSW", and I bought it deliberately for the many aspects of that "style" of gaming that appealed to me. It felt like "Battle" magazine had reappeared, which for me was good. I am genuinely curious to see what direction Warners want to go in, but if it is WI or WSS I shall be saving £60.00 GBP a year. So I shall await the next few issues to see if I will continue. |
freewargamesrules | 02 Sep 2016 3:30 p.m. PST |
Pip Pip Henry and thanks for the ride. I was one of the original subscribers to BG Issue 1 and good luck for your future. |
Jimlad48 | 04 Sep 2016 1:43 p.m. PST |
Henry – thanks for your efforts. I know it took MW from a magazine I barely glanced at in the shops, to one which has become a monthly 'must buy'. Thank you for your huge personal investment in, and commitment to the hobby and for making it an excellent magazine to read. |
20thmaine | 06 Sep 2016 5:35 p.m. PST |
Henry – thanks for the all the issues of MWBG and Battle Games before it – they've made for great reading over the years! Whilst it sounds as if you'd have otherwise carried on if not for the changes, the plus side (as one of your readers) is that I'm sure you have a whole heap of ideas you've been waiting to work on – I look forward to your next steps with interest! |
Jimlad48 | 07 Sep 2016 6:05 a.m. PST |
I see the new editor has been announced on their facebook page. Suffice to say that I will no longer be purchasing any publication that that specific individual edits. |
BigRedBat | 07 Sep 2016 6:21 a.m. PST |
Thanks very much Henry- I enjoyed reading the magazine during your tenure. I'm less likely to remain with it if it moves towards SciFi and fantasy, as seems likely to be the case. I wish you the very best with your post-MWBG endeavours! Best, Simon |
jambo1 | 07 Sep 2016 8:57 a.m. PST |
This is very sad news, I enjoyed the magazine, it was always a good read. Not too sure if another sci-fi/fantasy mag is going to interest me. Best of luck for the future and hopefully see lots more of your Imagi-nation stuff getting done for us all!! |
Ney Ney | 07 Sep 2016 2:42 p.m. PST |
Jimlad48…. Why's that? Let us know why if you make a statement like that! |
Trajanus | 08 Sep 2016 9:17 a.m. PST |
Looking back at Henry's original post I realised I was so shocked that I read past the mention of increased Fantasy & Sci-Fi content. If it turns out that way MW has seen the last of my money. Part of the hobby or not I'm already fed up with Zombies, Vampires, assorted Space Adventures, Steam Punk, Victorian Gothic, Allan Quatermain knock offs and God knows what other drivel. Not to mention Gangsters, Old TV Series and the claptrap that is A Very British Civil War! Good fun if you like all that stuff but can't someone just publish a Non Historical Wargames Magazine, so those if us who don't, no longer have to keep shelling out for pages they have no interest in reading every month. Times three, come to think of it, as WI and WSS are just the same. |
20thmaine | 08 Sep 2016 2:37 p.m. PST |
This is being described in adverts as "a new 16 page F/SF section" – which I'm reading as a bigger magazine. So, everything we had before plus 16 pages more. Time will tell though. |
John Treadaway | 09 Sep 2016 2:31 a.m. PST |
This is being described in adverts as "a new 16 page F/SF section" – which I'm reading as a bigger magazine. So, everything we had before plus 16 pages more That is exactly the plan. Exactly the same as before, plus more! In fact – if my Fantasy Facts column is moved into the "extra 16 pages of F&SF" (which is certainly something that has been discussed) – you may even have space for yet MORE historical stuff. Keep your powder dry, gentlemen. You'll have plenty of time to shoot me later… John Treadaway |
20thmaine | 09 Sep 2016 6:06 a.m. PST |
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Cambria5622 | 09 Sep 2016 10:46 a.m. PST |
I'll continue with the mag, John, and give you a fair trial! Like many others here, I really liked the majority of what Henry did and how MW had developed, so I hope the best aspects of the magazine (for me, anyway) will endure. |
20thmaine | 10 Sep 2016 4:39 a.m. PST |
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