"The Ancible Is Out" Topic

"It's been a long time since there was a proper independent Sci-Fi and Fantasy gaming magazine, but we're here to introduce you to the games you don't yet know."

So you've never heard of Ragnarok?
link

Latest issue published last August.

Well got my copy and have to say i'm impressed. A nice mix of stuff in the magazine and i hope the guys do well for the future as well.

@Mike sorry isn't Ragnarok an ezine though as in you get it as a PDF. This is a Magazine, proper paper thing so the comment they have made is correct.

I'm curious, so I just ordered a single copy. Looking forward to it popping through the door, although I'm dreading what the wife will say….!

I'm tempted – I'd like to see it before I buy, so I'll keep an eye open for it at Warfare, Reading on the weekend.

Tony
dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com

Worth a gamble, I've just ordered mine.

sorry isn't Ragnarok an ezine

No, printed magazine: TMP link

That is kind of a slap in the face of the SFSFW, which has been publishing an *very* independent magazine for quite a while now.

Allen

I used to subscribe to Harbinger before that went bust. It was a great resource.
Will definately be buying Issue 1 'to see what it's like' & will probably get a sub

Graham from Simple Games will be taking a delivery of the magazine from us at Warfare on Saturday, so you should be able to pick it up okay.

Yes, shame 'Rganorak' has been overlooked. 'Ancible', however, is a commercial venture. Gods speed to both and all who sail in them!

We certainly have no intention of bad mouthing Ragnarok or any other magazine. That isn't going to be our style. Any blame can go on me for the enthusiastic text.

"That is kind of a slap in the face of the SFSFW"
Why do people have to make so many things into some sort of personal attack. Its just *advertising hype* for crying out loud.

Is it a "slap in the face" of Ford when Chevy says they have the best compact SUV? Is it a "slap in the face" of McDonnalds when Burger Kind says they have best burger?

How about worrying about content and quality of the magazine, instead of inventing drama where none exists?

Well, this IS TMP, mdauben… 8)=

Well, I enjoyed issue #1 of 'Ancible' and contribute to and enjoy 'Ragnorak'. The mere fact the former is available in shops and a commercial venture clearly differentiates it from the latter. mdauben is quite correct – though IMO 'Burger King' is superior to 'McDonalds'. As for inventing drama where none exists… we could have a virtual TMP 'soap' for those who wish it. Maybe the launch of an 'IMproper independent sci-fi and fantasy gaming magazine' could be the scenario? Imagine the articles in that?

"Is it a "slap in the face" of Ford when Chevy says they have the best compact SUV? Is it a "slap in the face" of McDonnalds when Burger King says they have best burger?"

Yes. In the UK, such unwarranted claims coould result in disciplinary action by the Advertising Standards Authority.

"The mere fact the former is available in shops and a commercial venture clearly differentiates it from the latter."

Why? They are both fantasy/science fiction gaming magazines. They are both available to the public. Both are "commercial ventures". The medium is irrelevant (anyway as someone else said "Raggy" is also available in printed form).

BTW, what is an "ancible"?

"Yes. In the UK, such unwarranted claims coould result in disciplinary action by the Advertising Standards Authority."

That's a pretty confrontational statement to make, Mike. Why do I get the feeling you are simply looking for trouble?

BTW, what is a "snorbens"?

"That's a pretty confrontational statement to make, Mike. Why do I get the feeling you are simply looking for trouble?"

Read my post. I was referring to the suggestions re Ford/Chevy and MacDonalds/Burger King, NOT the comment you made in your news item.

"BTW, what is a "snorbens"?"

It's a place … now please answer my question.

Mike,

In which case I apologise, however I did read it that you were referring to us. However on closer reading I can see that it could be taken either way. I still think you are being pretty confrontational, however.

As for your question on the title, it's what the MD, Kenny Robb came up with, and it is a tongue in cheek reference to the sci-fi term, 'ansible', referenced in the holy of holies, Wikipedia as follows:

An ansible is a hypothetical machine capable of instantaneous or superluminal (faster than light) communication.

And Mike, don't be impatient as well as confrontational. As you can see I was replying even as you gave me no time to.

"And Mike, don't be impatient as well as confrontational. As you can see I was replying even as you gave me no time to."

I have no way of knowing that you are replying at the same time as me. It's in the nature of asynchronous communication via a forum such as this.

Big words do not disguise a lack of due patience, Mike.

"Big words do not disguise a lack of due patience, Mike."

I presume you don't understand the meaning of "asynchronous communication" then?

I see a post in reply to one of mine. I have no idea how long ago that post was made (I cannot convert PST to GMT in my head), so I respond. At or near the same time the other poster is responding to me. I have no way of knowing he is doing so. That can hardly be construed as being impatient.

So why are you being confrontational now?

BTW, I wish you every success with your magazine. When can I expect to find it on the shelves in W.H.Smiths?

Actually, the 'Rag' is a society journal, NOT a commercial venture, as in one primarily produced as an intended profit making business. My comments about the 'soap' were tongue in cheek. However, it the debate continues to heat-up perhaps we can have 'Episode One' on TMPers and finally convince my eldest daughter we're all as cool as we know we are :)

"Actually, the 'Rag' is a society journal, NOT a commercial venture, as in one primarily produced as an intended profit making business."

Not primarily produced for commercial profit, but it IS sold to non-members of SFSFW by Wessex Games, so in that sense it IS commercial (since I believe the profit on such sales goes to Wessex Games, not the SFSFW).

"I presume you don't understand the meaning of "asynchronous communication" then?"

And I presume you are now being intentionally rude?

"I see a post in reply to one of mine. I have no idea how long ago that post was made (I cannot convert PST to GMT in my head), so I respond. At or near the same time the other poster is responding to me. I have no way of knowing he is doing so. That can hardly be construed as being impatient.

So why are you being confrontational now?"

Primarily, Mike, because I have a habit of standing up to bullies, on the internet or in real life.

"BTW, I wish you every success with your magazine. When can I expect to find it on the shelves in W.H.Smiths?"

I guess our arrival in places like WH Smiths depends to a large degree on the good will of the buying public. I take it you are familiar with their sale or return policy and as such need no lectures from me. I am, of course, most grateful for your belated good wishes.

In the UK this week it is anti-bullying week. As a serving teacher I have been doing some work with my tutees about so-called cyberbullying, whereby people are intentionally rude and quarrelsome on the Net. Mm…

"And I presume you are now being intentionally rude?"

As much as you were here…

Big words do not disguise a lack of due patience, Mike.

"Primarily, Mike, because I have a habit of standing up to bullies, on the internet or in real life."

Bullies? Who is being bullied and by whom?
If you consider my comments on this thread to be bullying then you are easily provoked, particularly as your initial reaction was due to your misunderstanding of my post re the ASA.

Your reputation precedes you, Mike.

"Your reputation precedes you, Mike."

And what exactly is that supposed to mean?

It means that in my opinion, having seen much of what you have posted in the past, you have a reputation in my eyes. I would suggest that should you wonder what that might be you read a little of this thread.

"It means that in my opinion, having seen much of what you have posted in the past, you have a reputation in my eyes. I would suggest that should you wonder what that might be you read a little of this thread."

Really? I am not concerned with my reputation in your eyes. You can think what you like about me – many people do!

I will reserve my opinion of you to myself.

May I though remind you that you accepted responsibility for the original text:

We certainly have no intention of bad mouthing Ragnarok or any other magazine. That isn't going to be our style. Any blame can go on me for the enthusiastic text.

- a response I might add, that I am perfectly satisfied with. Also that you admitted you had misunderstood my post:

In which case I apologise, however I did read it that you were referring to us.

I will leave it to the TMP community at large to decide who is at fault.

It has. Aaaaaages ago.

Bu I have to say, I loath over-enthusiasm in advertising Puffs, so in this case, go for it Snorbens.

Pat, probably the wellest-hung man in the North of England.

Mike,

Why ask what I meant if you were not concerned? I simply replied to your question. I'm very sorry if it was somehow rhetorical and I didn't get it. As for apportioning fault, was it a competition then? I didn't realise.

What I would suggest is that rather than the two of us repeatedly bashing heads for no significant purpose, we let things rest. How would that be?

I'm going to throw my 2 cents in on this one. I'm looking forward to seeing the magazine. I enjoyed Harbinger and there is definitely a void that needs to be filled. I didn't take Mike Snorbens statement "Yes. In the UK, such unwarranted claims coould result in disciplinary action by the Advertising Standards Authority." as an insult, but I did find it insulting when "Old Bear" asked what a Snorbens was instead of responding to what an Ancible was. I had no idea what an Ancible was and am glad he asked( I was going to but he beat me to it, damn him!). Old Bear don't be baited so easy. You should feel proud of what you are doing. I can't wait to see it. Best of Luck!

Horatio,

Yes, I couldn't resist lightly baiting Mike with that response, although I don't think it was insulting. More a case of suggesting that a Google search would quickly have achieved the likely answer. :)

Thanks for the kind words and we are indeed very proud of our first offering. I hope when you see a copy you enjoy it as well.

Gosh people, doesn't the internet, email and forums bring out the best in people? Reminds me of my time with PR for the Salute show :-)

Gosh, glad to be out from under that! For what it's worth, my only comment would be to implore people to use their real names on forums. I find most problems with personalities and differences of opinion in our hobby can usually be settled easier that way. Sure there's a couple of traders at Salute I could mention that would disagree with me on that (and at least one 'columnist' in a wargames magazine…) but I digress.

Anyway, good luck with the magazine Old Bear – the hobby can do with another. As someone who spent over a decade trying to push F&SF in a mainstream historical mag via a monthly column, and is still doing so with occasional articles, a dedicated, non house F&SF mag is a welcome treat. From the other angle, I like what SFSFW stand for and what they do (Ragnarok wise and in other areas) and always have (Steve Blease did me the honor of asking me to be the first president of the society, so I should!). But having another Red Giant/*/Harbinger wade into the fray is a good thing.

The market place could support both, I'm sure. And I hope it will.

John T

* add all the others that appeared in the mean time into this space!

Excellent magazine. The production quality for one sets it apart from most others.

It was a joy to read, unlike this thread, which is the usual vituperative and unwelcoming introduction that seems to float some people's boats to the point of permanent and uncontrollable addiction.

I will leave it to the TMP community at large to decide who is at fault.

That won't be hard.

Why do I get the feeling you are simply looking for trouble?

And today's winner is…..

Thanks for the kind words, 001. We took it to Warfare in Reading today and it went down better than we could have possibly hoped for, with a lot of sales and encouraging words from both punters and traders, many of whom we are hoping will now be looking to advertise in the mag.

Good to hear its doing well Old Bear and i just noticed this on the site as well.

'The Ancible' Goes out of this World

The Ancible is proud to announce that after 2 weeks of selling its new Independent Sci Fi and Fantasy magazine that its already sold over half of its initial print run.

Kenny Robb MD of AKR Productions had this to say.

"I'm gobsmacked that the people have taken to the magazine so well and the feedback has been amazing. If it keeps on selling at the rate it is i'll be doing another print run to keep up with demand."

AKR also reports that a lot of people buying the magazine are also picking up subscriptions so it really bodes well for future development of the magazine.

Good luck for the future i know i'll be buying more copies.