Brainstorming on a Shmup fanzine?

[Thunderprince]

I have been working on my own comic minizines for a while now, but never a fanzine based on pre-existing stuff. Like just about everyone here I am fanatical about shmups. I wanted to make a fanzine dedicated to the subject, but also include the shmups community in such an undertaking. I think it would be a lot of fun, but I can't quite settle on what the topic should be. To the average joe, there isn't much to talk about but to the die-hards it's a different story.

So here I am in the brainstorming phases not quite sure how to sort everything out. Maybe have an issue dedicated to side scrollers, or an issue for vert scrollers, or bullet hell, or on-rails, Cave, doujins, Raizing, Compile, Capcom, shmup reviews, articles, art, anything.

So, good topics for a first issue? Ideas?
Also, if anyone would want to contribute or help out that would be great. I think it would be a great community project.

And here is some info for those unfamiliar with fanzine's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanzine

[rancor]

I think it's a great idea, and I'd be your first subscriber. I used to get Factsheet Five back in the day and spend hours looking at new monthlys to subscribe to - I love Murder Can be Fun, Answer Me!, Diseased Pariah, Temp Slave - Work!, and Beautiful/Handsome. I suppose you could just take a lesson from the Japanese mags and do what they do - only better! Let me know if you need any translations, because it sounds like a project I'd love to be involved in... If I can find the time!!

Japanese STG/Shmup Magazines

[EllertMichael]

I think dedicating issues to developers would be a really cool idea and the issues could also be semi-chronological (ex. Issue #2-Compile, Issue #3-Toaplan, Issue #4-Raizing, Issue #5-Cave)
with run-downs of the history of the companies, spotlights on the key people, & short blurbs on the games.

from there you could devote entire issues to single games and cover from concept to completion. sort of in the vein of what the 33 1/3 books are to music albums

I have a BA in Professional Writing and would gladly offer my editing services to something like this
Good Luck!

EDIT: OH! and make the zine in the shape of the ship from the game you're covering! that would be pretty awesome

[Spyke]

What sort of format are we discussing? Downloadable pdf or hard paper copy?

Ant

[Thunderprince]

Wow this idea is getting a lot of love, thanks guys.

I was thinking both since its a non-profit kinda thing. The convenience of an online version is nice, but it feels so satisfying to make/own a print copy with your work in it.
Spyke suggested making the first issue a "getting started" type of deal, getting shot on a budget, equipment setups, etc. I think that's a great idea. However, I don't want to try and cover ground that has already been tread on a thousand times. Since this is a zine by fans for fans we can already assume the average fan has a basic idea of how to manage their hobby. Similar to Bruce Wayne losing his parents or getting bitten by a radioactive spider, we all know the basic beginnings. If we do discuss "the beginning", keep it short and sweet.

Ideas I had floating around in my head that sound good:
-dev themed issues
-gaming on a budget
-arcade vs console port comparisons
-new releases
-best of/worst of lists
-hidden gems
-interviews with other fans, indie developers, etc.
-general opinion stuff

My second minizine was 16 pages total, using a folding technique I can get 8 pages out of one large sheet. Should I go with that or go with a more traditional book style?

[t0yrobo]

I think it's a great idea too. My main interest would be in more theoretical articles like the stuff on shmuptheory, or other guides similar to plasmo's practicing guide. Retro Gamer magazine is probably a pretty good guide on how to write about stuff that's otherwise been beaten into the ground by websites.
If you need any art I'm sure I could get something worked out, I do some myself and I know a bunch of young illustrators that would likely jump on a chance to be published in something.

My second minizine was 16 pages total, using a folding technique I can get 8 pages out of one large sheet. Should I go with that or go with a more traditional book style?

I'm partial to the folded paper route, I have a handful of small run comics like that, there's a definite charm to it imo, and it's probably way cheaper than anything else.

[RNGmaster]

If it's a PDF, then the folded style makes it harder to read. If you're distributing physical copies, how much you gonna charge and where are you going to distribute it?

I think this is a great idea. I'd be up for writing an article sometime. Considering all the people on this forum who love to voice their opinions, there's definitely a lot of material to choose from, possibly more than 16 pages' worth.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I'm like to see a real shmup magainze magazine published (kinda like Shooting Gameside but all in English, of course). I tossed around the idea of one in an earlier thread of mine but it didn't go anywhere. I asked shmupper Dragon1952's opinion if a such a glossy full color shmup magazine were possible and he said yes. It'd be a matter of getting a publisher, a dedicated team of writers/contributors & graphic artists together to pull it off successfully though.

Don't forget to include some cool "Shmup Factoids" (there are plently to choose from indeed) from time to time to spice up the fanzine. I'd be more than happy to contribute some of them for your possible upcoming shmup fanzine publication, Thunderprince.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Thunderprince]

If it's a PDF, then the folded style makes it harder to read. If you're distributing physical copies, how much you gonna charge and where are you going to distribute it?

well I live in the Chicago area, and there are a few places that sell zines, it would go up on my etsy account, and anyone involved would get copies to distribute themselves as long as they pay to cover shipping. The cost of postage seems small, but it adds up pretty quickly.

[Thunderprince]

PM'd everyone who was interested. I have a rough outline for the first issue of 16 pages, but depending on the length of articles/page size it could be bumped to 24 pages.

Cover: I still haven't thought of a title yet, which is bad
pg1: authors, what we've been playing, etc.
pg2-3: news/translated article. Rancor offered to translate stuff from Shooting Gameside because he is a hero.
pg 4-10ish: featured article-gaming on a budget/options for shooter fans. Basically, shooter fans have it rough sometimes with the price of their hobby. I am consistently broke, so I have to fall back on things like emulation or modding. while some people collect for their consoles, some collect pcb's, etc. Discuss the pros and cons of each, essential games, cheapest games, necessary equipment, etc.
pg11-12: Random reviews
pg13-14: opinions/musings/other
back cover: fan art? contact info.

Page size should be anywhere from 4"x6" and up. probably ending up around 6"10" or something

[NTSC-J]

I'll do the advice column.

I still haven't thought of a title yet, which is bad

How about: "SHT!"

SHT used to be the Japanese abbreviation for shooting games.

I'm like to see a real shmup magazine published (kinda like Shooting Gameside but all in English, of course)...It'd be a matter of getting a publisher, a dedicated team of writers/contributors & graphic artists together to pull it off successfully though.

lol

[Thunderprince]

How about: "SHT!"

SHT used to be the Japanese abbreviation for shooting games.

hmmm, I like that one. putting that one in the maybe pile.

[Pyongyang]

I'd be keen on contributing. Take a look at my blog and YouTube for some of my writing/videos.

Blog: http://www.pinkbullets.co.uk

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/stuffiwrote

I've only just launched my blog so content is thin on the ground! I'm keen on helping out with a fanzine if I can though!

Thanks.

[Acid_Rain]

If you need some help with the layout, I could probably help. Quite new to Shmup/Bullet Hell but studying design atm.

[Deca]

I've been trying to get myself into writing for a while now, writing about games specifically is something I've wanted to do all my life. I intend to start a blog when I can muster the motivation and free time to sit down and plan it out. I have a couple little articles I drafted up with a friend of mine a while back as content for the blog when it goes up, one of which was look at Xevious.

So yeah, I don't have an existing blog or anything published to direct you to but would be happy to contribute what I can for consideration one way or another. If you think you have room for me I'd love to talk more about it via PM or IM or whatever!

[mice]

Sign me up for a subscription.

[Special World]

If you want somebody to contribute articles, PM me ;D I'm a professional writing major and I play and think about these shits all the time.

[Skykid]

If you want somebody to contribute articles, PM me ;D I'm a professional writing major and I play and think about these shits all the time.

Selling yourself well there.

[Special World]