Blizz publishes new Gadgetzan Times
by Eliah Hecht 
Jul 6th 2009 at 3:00PM
This got somewhat lost in the news shuffle over the holiday weekend, but Blizzard has posted another issue of their extremely irregular Gadgetzan Times fan-fic-oriented newsletter, for the first time since May 2008. This time around it consists of two pieces of short-form fan fiction, an amusing "classifieds" section, and a slightly half-hearted crossword about the dungeons of WoW.
It's an interesting thing for Blizzard themselves to come out with, as it has been from the start. I really like the idea -- characters from Azeroth report on events in and around their world -- but it could use a little more polish and effort, not to mention a more regular timetable. On the other hand, they're still publishing more regularly than my Illusionary Tactics column. Maybe I should not call this particular kettle black.
Anyway, it's certainly a decent diversion for a few minutes if you're stuck at work or bored at home, so go ahead and check it out.
Filed under: Virtual selves, Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ringo Flinthammer Jul 6th 2009 3:33PM
It's hard to believe they only got two fan-fic submissions in all that time. I wonder if they lost a bunch or something.
Chris A Jul 6th 2009 3:38PM
Wonder why they aren't doing these more often. It's a cool idea and funny.
Keyra Jul 6th 2009 3:38PM
"Priest Looking for Rogue" - loved this bit!
Nickyjean Jul 6th 2009 3:52PM
This is one of the things blizz should add in game. pay 25c buy a paper, play a xword while waiting to on the flight plan. Checking up on stories of other 'heros' maybe even having actual classifieds. Awesome concept really .
Frank Jul 6th 2009 3:56PM
i love this idea. why AREN'T there NPC newspaper vendors in the major cities of azeroth??
Amapele Jul 7th 2009 8:14AM
I agree, this would be a fun idea. I could see where it'd be difficult to keep up with user submitted information (actually I feel like individuals who've created a 12 million user online game couple probably pull it off) but I think it'd be a wonderful little addition.
Ringo Flinthammer Jul 6th 2009 4:43PM
Sony did newspapers periodically for about 18 months in EverQuest I, but it eventually petered out. This does seem like something that could be almost entirely community-generated. There's 11+ million fans; surely enough of them would turn in serviceable stuff so that they could distribute the Gadgetzan Times in-game on a monthly basis.
And just like with the EQ papers, it'd be a way for Metzen to sneak in some upcoming lore hints: "Crusade: Coliseum to be finished 'soon'"
Zerounit Jul 6th 2009 6:17PM
To be fair, Illusionary Tactics was a thin premise anyway.