Pegasus (game magazine)
Judges Guild released the first issue of Pegasus in April and May 1981. This launch followed a period where the company struggled with new licenses and computer games. The team decided to restart their magazine efforts with this specific title. Mike Reagan served as the editor for that initial release. The cover featured older pulp-quality pages rather than glossy modern stock. The interior measured 96 pages, making it larger than previous magazines from the same publisher. Dan Hauffe contributed a substantial 36-page installment about the city-state campaign titled The Black Ring. Members of the Guild received a subscription to the publication immediately upon its arrival.
The editorial staff changed frequently throughout the short run of the magazine. Chuck Anshell returned as editor on issue number three in 1981. Edward Mortimer replaced him by issue five in December 1981. Mark Holmer took over the role with issue nine in August or September 1982. Mike Maddin replaced Holmer for issue twelve in February or March 1983. These rapid shifts occurred while the content remained consistent in format. Each editor brought different perspectives to the selection of articles and supplements. The turnover rate suggests internal instability within the publishing house during those years.
Every single issue contained a 32-page game supplement alongside standard articles. The first supplement was a 36-page installment about the city-state campaign called The Black Ring. This feature appeared inside the initial 96-page volume released in 1981. Later issues continued this pattern of including substantial game material. Readers could find statistics for new magic and monsters within these pages. Advice for gamemastering also occupied space in the regular columns. Fiction pieces were interspersed among the rules and reviews. The physical size of the publication allowed for deep dives into specific campaigns.
The magazine covered a diverse range of tabletop games throughout its existence. Articles appeared for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Arduin Grimoire, Champions, and The Fantasy Trip. Writers also produced content for The Morrow Project, RuneQuest, and Skull & Crossbones. Stormbringer received coverage alongside Traveller and Tunnels & Trolls. Villains and Vigilantes and Ysgarth were included in the list of systems discussed. This breadth meant the publication appealed to fans of many different genres. No single system dominated the editorial calendar exclusively during the two-year run.
W. G. Armintrout reviewed the first issue in The Space Gamer number forty-four. He stated that he could not recommend Pegasus as a magazine overall. However, he noted that the installment supplement was nearly excellent. A reader playing AD&D might consider supplements a year at that price point a good deal. Perfidious Albion published a review on page nineteen of issue fifty-one in September 1981. These contemporary voices highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the product. The value proposition depended heavily on whether subscribers wanted the game material or just the articles.
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Common questions
When was the first issue of Pegasus game magazine released?
Judges Guild released the first issue of Pegasus in April and May 1981. This launch followed a period where the company struggled with new licenses and computer games.
Who edited the initial release of Pegasus game magazine?
Mike Reagan served as the editor for that initial release. The editorial staff changed frequently throughout the short run of the magazine.
What was the page count of the first issue of Pegasus game magazine?
The interior measured 96 pages, making it larger than previous magazines from the same publisher. Every single issue contained a 32-page game supplement alongside standard articles.
Which tabletop games received coverage in Pegasus game magazine?
Articles appeared for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Arduin Grimoire, Champions, and The Fantasy Trip. Writers also produced content for The Morrow Project, RuneQuest, and Skull & Crossbones.
How did W. G. Armintrout review the first issue of Pegasus game magazine?
W. G. Armintrout reviewed the first issue in The Space Gamer number forty-four. He stated that he could not recommend Pegasus as a magazine overall but noted that the installment supplement was nearly excellent.