Dungeon (magazine)
The first issue of Dungeon magazine appeared in late 1986, though its cover bore no date. Roger E. Moore served as the publication's original editor and shaped its initial vision for both amateur and professional writers. The bimonthly periodical launched with a simple premise: to offer short but often complicated modules selected from submissions by readers. Each issue contained 64 pages filled with adventures of various lengths, themes, and tones. Ken Rolston reviewed the magazine one year after its launch in September 1987 within Dragon Issue 125. He described the content as cheap and cheerful while noting it reminded him of game sessions found at conventions or old-fashioned modules. Rolston praised the anthology format for allowing writers to publish fine little bits that provided great training grounds for new talent. He observed that writing ranged from young and enthusiastic to polished, and the layout quality was quite decent compared to other TSR products.
Wizards of the Coast acquired publishing rights to Dungeon magazine in 1997 following solvency concerns at TSR. The company printed the next 30 issues under their own management before simplifying the title. By January 2000, Issue #78 dropped the long subtitle to read simply Dungeon: Adventures. August 2000 brought further changes when Issue #82 became just Dungeon. Paizo Publishing took over publication rights in late 2002 during a strategic divestment by Wizards of the Coast. Scott Rouse announced on the 18th of April 2007, that Paizo would cease production that September. He stated that the internet had become the primary destination for such information and moving online would broaden reach to fans worldwide. This transition marked a significant shift in how the magazine reached its audience and changed its operational structure entirely.
Physical copies of Dungeon magazine ended with Issue 150 in September 2007 after more than two decades of print runs. Starting in 2008, both Dungeon and Dragon shifted to an online-only format published by Wizards of the Coast. The new digital version retained content mandates while adopting a landscape format designed for better screen readability. Content was released daily and compiled into PDF files monthly until May 2011 when single article formats replaced them. October 2012 saw the return of monthly compilations before final cessation occurred. The last online issue numbered 221 and appeared in December 2013 following an announcement made in September 2013 within Dragon #427. Chris Perkins declared both magazines would go on hiatus pending release of the Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition product line.
Episodic multi-part adventures known as Adventure Paths began appearing in Dungeon magazine starting in 2003. These serials were designed to take player characters from first level through epic levels reaching twenty or higher. Four major serials ran during the magazine's later years: Shackled City, Age of Worms, Savage Tide, and Scales of War. Shackled City spanned issues 97 through 116 between March 2003 and November 2004. A hardcover collection of that series arrived in August 2005 with revisions and bonus material filling gaps near the beginning. Age of Worms covered issues 124 through 135 from July 2005 to June 2006. Savage Tide ran from Issue 139 in October 2006 to Issue 150 in September 2007. Scales of War extended across multiple issues from July 2008 through February 2010.
Dungeon magazine received its first Origins Award for Best Professional Adventure Gaming Magazine in 1990 covering the previous year's work. The publication won again in 1991 for the same category recognizing excellence in adventure design. ENnie Awards began honoring Dungeon starting in 2002 when it won Best Aid or Accessory. Cartography received specific recognition in 2005 with awards for World Map of Greyhawk appearing in Issues 118 through 121. That same year the magazine also won for Best Adventure featuring Maure Castle in Issue 112. Shackled City Adventure Path earned multiple ENnie Awards including Best Campaign Setting in 2006. An Origins Award for Best Fiction Publication followed in 2007 acknowledging the quality of written content within the series.
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Common questions
When did Dungeon magazine first appear and who edited it?
The first issue of Dungeon magazine appeared in late 1986 with Roger E. Moore serving as the publication's original editor.
Who acquired publishing rights to Dungeon magazine in 1997?
Wizards of the Coast acquired publishing rights to Dungeon magazine in 1997 following solvency concerns at TSR.
What was the final issue number of physical Dungeon magazine copies?
Physical copies of Dungeon magazine ended with Issue 150 in September 2007 after more than two decades of print runs.
Which Adventure Paths ran during the later years of Dungeon magazine?
Four major serials ran during the magazine's later years including Shackled City, Age of Worms, Savage Tide, and Scales of War.
In what year did Dungeon magazine receive its first Origins Award for Best Professional Adventure Gaming Magazine?
Dungeon magazine received its first Origins Award for Best Professional Adventure Gaming Magazine in 1990 covering the previous year's work.