Manci Games Magazine - RIP

[Flack]

Unfortunately this folded before I got my first issue. I just received this e-mail. I'm sure this will be discussed in the Manci Games forum as well.

--

C'mon now, don't frown. You and Manci Games gave it our best shot!

After much blood, sweat, and tears, Manci Games Magazine has decided to call it quits. While our subscriber base has been the absolute best that one
could ask for, we feel that the market simply is not big enough to support a
monthly, full color, 48-page magazine dedicated solely to the retro-gaming
market.

The Bad News: No more Manci Games after Issue 2.

The Good News: All paid subscribers will receive a full pro-rata refund!

If you paid by Paypal, your refund will be sent back via Paypal. If you
paid by check or money order, a check will be issued. All refunds will be
issued by June15th, 2004.

In order to make sure that the returns process flows smoothly, we will be
ensuring that everyone who subscribed through 10:00 PM on June 3rd, 2004
will receive a copy of both Issue #1 and Issue #2. This will allow an even
10/12 pro-rata refund to all subscribers, while also giving any late-comers
the opportunity to acquire both issues for $2.00 each. Expect these to show up in your mailbox within the next two weeks.

Thanks again to all of our subscribers. You guys are the best readership a
new mag could hope for. Also, thank you to all of our contributors. There
would not have been a magazine without you.

While Manci Games is packing it in, there are a few upstarts willing to give
it another go!

Be sure to check out:

Retro Gamer - http://www.livepublishing.co.uk/content/retrogamer.shtml
(Manci's Choice!)
Classic Gamer - www.classicgamer.com (Online Only & High Quality)
Video Game Collector - www.vgcollector.com ("The Beckett of Video Games")

Manci Games wishes the best of luck to all of these publications.
Hopefully, you will get to check out MG alumni within the pages of all of
them!

Manci Games Magazine might be dead...but Manci Games Publishing lives on.
Be sure to check the website again a month from now, as we will be unveiling an exciting new project...

Signing off (for now),
The Manci Games Crew

[neotokeo2001]

O_O ????

[Perkar]

yeah, i just got that email too... sad day, i really liked the mag. i guess that $20 refund will come in handy tho... i need more video games. =)

[Sph1nx]

Just got it too.

Sucks.. I enjoyed the 1st two issues.


Kinda curious as to the specific reasons though..

[kainemaxwell]

So much for my free issue #2...

[Half Japanese]

Wow. That took off only to hit the ground again real quick didn't it?

[Push Upstairs]

Kinda curious as to the specific reasons though..

As am i.

I guess we will find out in the Manci Games forum soon enough.

[Flack]

Wow. That took off only to hit the ground again real quick didn't it?

What sucks the most is, I was kind of waiting it out to see if it was going to take off or not, so I just subscribed about a week ago. At least I'll get copies of issues one and two.

[ManciGames]

Kinda curious as to the specific reasons though..

As am i.

I guess we will find out in the Manci Games forum soon enough.

Seriously guys (and gals), the reason is stated in the email quoted above. We just were not receiving the reception that we needed to receive in order to maintain the mag.

We did a lot of thorough market research as we were publishing and things just do not look bright enough to be able to justify the costs involved. We have enough cash to publish 4 more issues, but we feel that we have enough data at this point in time to call it a day. This has a been a decision that I have personally wrestled over since Philly Classic in late March. The fate was pretty much sealed over a month ago, but we kept the facade up in the hopes that some of the other things we were doing could turn it around. Issue 3 was due to ship June 8th, so we did not want to delay the announcement any longer. It was a valiant effort, but all for not! ;)

Again, I want to thank all of you who took a risk with us, and assure you that you WILL receive your money back by June 15th (and probably a lot sooner).

Jaysen Mercer
(Former) Publisher & (Former) Editor in Chief
Manci Games Magazine

[christianscott27]

never got a chance to see the magazine but it seems to me that game collectors are a very computer oriented bunch who would rather get the info online for free than pay for a magazine.

just an observation.

[Melf]

Manci Games Magazine might be dead...but Manci Games Publishing lives on.
Be sure to check the website again a month from now, as we will be unveiling an exciting new project...

[/i]

Don't take this the wrong way but if it must be bought or subscribed to, I'm not interested. After sending $25 that could have been used for something else and waiting for well over a month, I'm a bit peeved to find out that all my time was wasted. You decided to kill the mag and there's a forum full of people who have been waiting for 3 months for their issues, not to mention all those who went and sent in their money during that time.

I'm sad to see such a cool mag go bust but I can't help but feel a bit burned. I still haven't received issue #2 and now I found out that the mag is dead. :angry:

[Griking]

While I appreciate the effort put into maiking the magazine I have to say that I'm pretty disappointed in the decision to call it quits after only two issues. Shouldn't a little more time be invested before it can really be considered a failure? It's been only two issues for crying out loud. I have to believe that you're folding up before many potential subscribers even knew that you existed.

When this was announced I was really enthusiastic about the idea of a retrogaming magazine. Now unfortunately I just feel like I was taken in by all of the hype that the magazine received. Especially with DP backing it. Hopefully other publishers don't let this discourage them because I still believe that there's a market for this kind of magazine for someone willing to put in the time.

[Half Japanese]

I was about to make a Dave Halverson comment, but I don't think that he's ever even had one with such a short track record.

That's not insulting Dave by the way, it's just that well-written mags of the caliber that he and his staff(s) produced just don't click with the "gotta-have-a-dick-joke" youths of today.

[digitpress Jim]

I am deeply saddened to hear that there will be no more Manci Games. It has been a tremendous honor writing for Jaysen and Manci Games each month, I LOVED every second of it. I only wish it could have lasted longer.

I look forward to all their up coming projects and hopefully I will have the honor to continue working for them on future projects. I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart that things did not work out. Manci Games is one kick ASS!!! Classic Gaming magazine, that I feel could have really taken off, if given the chance. God Bless and take care!

digitpress, Jim Combs

[swlovinist]

I pretty much figured that the mag wouldnt last...it is really a hard sell to more than the hardcore gamers....it truly was a vaiant effort. I know that a lot of time, money and effort went into the publication, it will be missed. There is, however going to be a quarterly mag coming out called Video Game Collector. The first issue will be coming out this summer I think, you fellas ought to check it out!

[NE146]

Damn.. I just started reading the posts about this mag a few days ago. Is it still possible to get whatever existing issues there are? :o

[anagrama]

Here's hoping that Zach's VGCollector will be better than the decidedly sub-par Retro Gamer...

[digitalpress]

It was fast and fun, but way too short. Much like a James Dean movie marathon.

Onto the next project we go!

Jaysen (and the rest of the Manci crew) if you're reading this, you're always welcome here and we hope you continue to pursue the contributions to the gaming community/industry. You have the right vision and the right attitude, if not a little ahead of its time.

[-hellvin-]

Defenitely a very intresting magazine. It's sad to see it go, but it was a very good effort. I won't mind getting back 20$ though, will help with the bills!

[ManciGames]

While I appreciate the effort put into maiking the magazine I have to say that I'm pretty disappointed in the decision to call it quits after only two issues. Shouldn't a little more time be invested before it can really be considered a failure? It's been only two issues for crying out loud. I have to believe that you're folding up before many potential subscribers even knew that you existed.

When this was announced I was really enthusiastic about the idea of a retrogaming magazine. Now unfortunately I just feel like I was taken in by all of the hype that the magazine received. Especially with DP backing it. Hopefully other publishers don't let this discourage them because I still believe that there's a market for this kind of magazine for someone willing to put in the time.

If you guys were staring at the same data I am staring at, you would make the same decision. It really isn't a matter of time. We had many folks helping with the mag that had disciplines that ran the gamut from marketing and accounting, to publishing and sales. The marketing and accounting data truly is disturbing. Like I mentioned before, we could do four more, but I honestly think it would be a waste of money. If anyone has information or studies that can disprove that, I would be interested to see it.

[ManciGames]

It was fast and fun, but way too short. Much like a James Dean movie marathon.

Onto the next project we go!

Jaysen (and the rest of the Manci crew) if you're reading this, you're always welcome here and we hope you continue to pursue the contributions to the gaming community/industry. You have the right vision and the right attitude, if not a little ahead of its time.

Thank you Joe. You have been a true asset and friend to Manci Games. Good luck with the next one!

[ManciGames]

Here's hoping that Zach's VGCollector will be better than the decidedly sub-par Retro Gamer...

While I'm sure that VGC will indeed be a great mag (we are sending many writers their way, so hopefully they pick up on some of them), Zach is not the publisher of VGC. Still, I'm sure that they will benefit from his vast knowledge and experience in the field, just as we did.

[Dan Iacovelli]

Jaysen,
I picked up the first two issues at MGC it was a good read.
I still plan to do review on the mag in the next issue of The Atari Zone Fanzine.
Have you considered of doing the magazine in pdf form and have free
like Classic gaming monthly?
good luck in your publishing projects.

[Lady Jaye]

It's too bad the mag went under, but it's understandable. The magazine market is a very difficult one to pierce. Some of you guys might know that I had a videogame column with Adam Magazine. It was a men's magazine that lasted only 3 issues, and it's too bad it didn't make it, because it was a great magazine. Instead of the usual juvenile/macho men's magazine, that one was very well written, with great subjects. It had great potential, as very few mags of its caliber exist. Yet, what sells isn't that smart magazine, but magazines à la Maxim.

I think it's the same problem with Manci Games. Too much of a niche market, makes it very difficult to survive the first year. :(

Anyway, kudos to the whole team for the great work done over these 2 issues.

[kainemaxwell]

Shame it happened the way it did, but a comendable job for least getting 2 issues out.

[anagrama]

So, did we ever find out where the name came from? :)

[toddst]

Sorry to hear the news. And, to think, this morning, I was planning on getting a subscription. Doh!

-Todd

[Goblin]

I am sorry to hear about the closing. I received my free copy of issue 2 and thought it was well put together and had potential. I didn't however ever consider subscribing because it was lacking in unique content. By this I mean information not already available to us on the forums or elsewhere on the web. I think this is going to be the hard sell of any retrogame magazine. There simply isn't sufficient information to support a monthly publication. Perhaps a quarterly magazine could work, although even that might not do it. I could be wrong on the details but isn't one of the impending game magazines being launched by wizard the comic mag publisher? This one might have a better shot of making it simply because they already have the distribution channels, and may be able to find an audience.

[Mayhem]

I think it's the same problem with Manci Games. Too much of a niche market, makes it very difficult to survive the first year.

Things must be different here in the UK then as Retro Gamer has been getting more sales with each issue and what started out as a bimonthly publication is now currently a monthly publication. Naturally we'll see how they are doing at the end of the year to judge how well it has gone, and how well it will proceed.

Naturally the focus of RG is different to Manci. Most people here in the UK when you mention retro think of old computers not consoles. Why? Because the original console boom is before when a lot of people got into playing games, and the second coming (NES, Master System, SNES etc) was either too expensive ($60-70 per game here you see) or people upgraded to 16-bit computers (ST, Amiga) instead. Console gaming didn't take off here big again until the latter days of the SNES, and then the PS1.

@Anagrama - read issue #4? I suggest you give it a go... aside from the Nintendo article (as already stated, with stupid rarity values) everything else is great. Good articles on Mike Singleton and Firebird software to read, amongst other stuff.

[anagrama]

@Anagrama - read issue #4? I suggest you give it a go... aside from the Nintendo article (as already stated, with stupid rarity values) everything else is great. Good articles on Mike Singleton and Firebird software to read, amongst other stuff.

No, not yet. I flicked through the first 3 and was pretty unimpressed, but I'll certainly give it a shot.
The main problem I've found is that, as others have said, it's a challenge to find interesting info that can't already be seen on the net or elsewhere (and as said, the hardware prices are a joke - £50 for a GX4000? More like £15 tops).
Then again, maybe I'm just hard to please - I don't really like GamesTM either, though lots of other people seem to. At least I got £52 on eBay selling the first 10 issues of that one ;)

Mayhem - Did you ever hear back from Retro Gamer about writing anything for them?

[jgenotte]

Sorry to see Manci go. The mag will be missed!

On the bright side: This is my first complete colection of anything. LOL

So what does MANCI stand for?

-james

[Garry Silljo]

Well, I'll just tuck away that refund and use it when ever the "new project" is released, ...., kind of curious as to what that is though. Can we get a hint????? Either that, or I'll get some games, or maybe that DP advanced guide I've been talking about but not buying..... damn my procastination.

Liked the magazine, but no hard feelings.

[downfall]

I too was planning on subscribing - just talked about it with bigdaddychester last week.

To ManciGames - Would there any way I could paypal over some cash and pick up the issues that were released? I'd still love to check out what you guys were able to do!

[RCM]

It's too bad about Manci folding. I was hoping that they would stick around for a while. I had a chance to speak to Jayson after reading through the promo issue that was handed out at the PC5. I told him straight out that I had problems with the mag but overall enjoyed it problems and all and had hope for it to continue. I wish all the staff at Manci luck in the future.

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

[v1rich]

Anyone want to buy my two "Collectible" issues of Manci Games?

$10 shipped. In great condition, read once. PM me for details.

--SOLD--

Victor

[bluenote]

Hey Jayson,

Great effort!! It takes guts to take a chance like you did. However, I can't help but ask: Did you not do any research as far as a potential customer base before going through with this venture??

[Mayhem]

Mayhem - Did you ever hear back from Retro Gamer about writing anything for them?

Fingers crossed something by me in issue #5 :)

[bigdaddychester]

Jaysen,
I picked up the first two issues at MGC it was a good read.
I still plan to do review on the mag in the next issue of The Atari Zone Fanzine.
Have you considered of doing the magazine in pdf form and have free
like Classic gaming monthly?
good luck in your publishing projects.

I'll second that motion! I was surprised when I sent in a request for a free trial issue and it showed up 2 days later. I still haven't read all through it yet but I certainly thought the magazine had some great potential. I too would like to see at least the next couple issues in PDF format.

[TNTPLUST]

Bummer :(

Well I really liked the Mag. I personally like the tactile touch of a Magazine. Something to read while on the can LOL.

Oh well. Time to put issue #1 and #2 in comic bags and store them with my Video Game Player, Video Game, and Electronic fun with computers and games from the 80's.

[opcode]

Unfortunately I got burned with this one, as I sent a copy of Sky Jaguar for review a couple of months ago and now we will never see that review published and chances are I will never get my review copy back either. Worst, I was promised a small advertisement space which obviously will never happen. The strangest thing here is the mag got canned after just two issues. Sounds like someone tried a blind shot.
Well, that's the second time I got burned by a magazine (the first one being with Video Game Corner) so I think I have learned my lesson and will stay away from this kind of publication in the future... :(

[ManciGames]

Hey Jayson,

Great effort!! It takes guts to take a chance like you did. However, I can't help but ask: Did you not do any research as far as a potential customer base before going through with this venture??

We did do some very preliminary research that indicated about a 50 / 50 shot that it would work. We then utilized a marketing professional to do some research, but the costs involved were pretty steep. He understood our hesitation and actually helped us develop a plan wherein we could publish the magazine and do the research concurrently. The costs worked out about the same. The difference was that if it worked, no money would be wasted, and if it didn't work, we would be no worse off than if we had just done the research to begin with. The plus to that is that we still got to read 2 issues of Manci Games!

I'm just happy that we were able to do what we did. Anyone who has both issues 1 and 2 would probably agree that we set a pretty steep curve as to how much each issue would improve over the last. And while there will not be any future issues, we hope that gamers will be able to use them as a reference for years to come. We packed a lot of exclusive and little known info into those 88 pages!

By the way, single copy sales WILL be available within the next week or so. Keep your eye on the website.

[ManciGames]

Unfortunately I got burned with this one, as I sent a copy of Sky Jaguar for review a couple of months ago and now we will never see that review published and chances are I will never get my review copy back either. Worst, I was promised a small advertisement space which obviously will never happen. The strangest thing here is the mag got canned after just two issues. Sounds like someone tried a blind shot.
Well, that's the second time I got burned by a magazine (the first one being with Video Game Corner) so I think I have learned my lesson and will stay away from this kind of publication in the future... :(

Opcode, I would highly encourage you to participate with any future mags, if asked. Everyone in the area of classic games are good people.

I wish you would have emailed me first, instead of posting this to a public forum. Issue 3 is done (with a Sky Jaguar review included), but as you said, will not be published. I was planning on emailing you over the weekend as the dust settled from the announcement to either purchase the game from you or return it to you. I'd be happy to keep it and pay. It's a great game!

Just email me at my regular address to let me know which you prefer.

Thanks again,
Jaysen

[opcode]

I wish you would have emailed me first, instead of posting this to a public forum.

In fact I emailed, on May 28th and have been waiting a reply since... But that's past now. I will contact you shortly about SJ...

Eduardo

[Ed Oscuro]

Now I have to feel...if I had gone and subscribed like I said I would...would things have gone differently?

Well, I'll set some money aside to pick up the issues that are released. I guess it won't be feasible to produce Issue 3 if one doesn't want to spend the money printing it, but would it be possible to host that issue in PDF form on the Digital Press website?

[ManciGames]

Now I have to feel...if I had gone and subscribed like I said I would...would things have gone differently?

Not unless there was about another 3,000 people just like you. :)


Well, I'll set some money aside to pick up the issues that are released. I guess it won't be feasible to produce Issue 3 if one doesn't want to spend the money printing it, but would it be possible to host that issue in PDF form on the Digital Press website?

Honestly, I think there are already enough great online PDF mags out there (Cav's included). There really doesn't need to be another one mucking it up. Also, I want the writers to contribute their Issue 3 stories to other mags, and I don't think having them previously printed online will do them any good in that respect.

[rick weis]

never got a chance to see the magazine but it seems to me that game collectors are a very computer oriented bunch who would rather get the info online for free than pay for a magazine.

just an observation.

i would think a "collector" would want the ORGINAL magazine not just read whats on the net. are you sure you are not talking about "game players" :D

@Jaysen, sorry to see your magazine end! i thought it was a great mag!
also thanks for sending us many 1st issues for our NWCGE meet! and as i told you in my e-mail to you, no need in sending me a subscription refund!!!

Take care,

Rick

[slownerveaction]

Honestly, I think there are already enough great online PDF mags out there (Cav's included). There really doesn't need to be another one mucking it up. Also, I want the writers to contribute their Issue 3 stories to other mags, and I don't think having them previously printed online will do them any good in that respect.

Some of us have absolutely no problem giving a bit of work away for free. :)

I'll have new articles in Video Game Collector, but the import stuff will formatted in a new way that doesn't lend itself to my full-length 800+ word reviews. So I've put up one of my unpublished reviews up online for everyone to read:

http://www.shadatannis.com/other/pulseman.html

I hope to see y'all again in the pages of Video Game Collector, and hopefully elsewhere too.

[kainemaxwell]

Will the free issue #2's still go out by chance?

[v1rich]

I like a paper magazine (something I can keep) and I am a collector. Sounds like they gave it up right after the first issue if it was a month ago. Too bad. One day someone will do this and it will work.

[Ze_ro]

So what does MANCI stand for?
I've been wondering the same thing since before the first issue... now that it's all wrapped up, when the hell DID it mean? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

I'm glad to hear that us subsribers will actually get a refund... That certainly would have sucked if he had just buggered off with our money. Oh well, it was worth a try.

--Zero

[TheRedEye]

Now that all is said and done, can you divulge your readership numbers?

[Ed Oscuro]

Also, I want the writers to contribute their Issue 3 stories to other mags, and I don't think having them previously printed online will do them any good in that respect.
Alright, alright :P

I second TheRedEye's motion, by the way.

[K3V]

Hey Joe, I think it's time to pull this from the front page:


Are You a Classic Gaming Fan? If so, then surely you've subscribed to Manci Games! If not, you'd best rectify that situation HERE.

[16-bit]

This is really unfortunate news. Even though so much content and information is online, I found it to be worthwile and I really enjoyed the reading it--especially the article on 8-bit baseball.

I received the complimentary issue and was about to subscribe. I would like to send a few dollars to Mancigames for that issue since I can no longer subscribe, and I think it was well worth it. I can not find your paypal addy on the site. Could I trouble you to post it here or PM it to me?

[16-bit]

This is really unfortunate news. Even though so much content and information is online, I found it to be worthwile and I really enjoyed the reading it--especially the article on 8-bit baseball.

edit-Found your email

[16-bit]

This is really unfortunate news. Even though so much content and information is online, I found it to be worthwile and I really enjoyed the reading it--especially the article on 8-bit baseball.

edit-Found your email

[Ed Oscuro]

Hey Joe, I think it's time to pull this from the front page:


Are You a Classic Gaming Fan? If so, then surely you've subscribed to Manci Games! If not, you'd best rectify that situation HERE.
NOBODY touches the Sockbaby!

Well, alright, I guess you've got a point there.

I'm [still] Batman.

[pookninja]

damn,that sucks!! i really enjoyed that magazine.i never got an email or anything yet,i just found out when i read this forum.i paid with paypal,and when i get my paypal refund,i will spend that money on some retro games,out of respect for manci games.i think a retro video game magazine is an awesome idea,its just to bad it failed. :(

[Michael Thomasson]

Hello,

My store carries Manci and if anyone is interested in obtaining issues #1 and #2, we are selling them for $9.99 including postage. I also personally wrote the 'Just 4 Qix' arcade coin-op column, and will gladly autograph them for free upon request. Note that my autograph may make the magazine absolutely worthess ;-)

If interested, visit www.GoodDealGames.com or simply send us an e-mailthat your interested and we'll send you payment instructions, et cetera.

I will definately miss Manci (sniffle)

Sincerely,
Michael of GDG
www.GoodDealGames.com

[Ed Oscuro]

Note that my autograph may make the magazine absolutely worthess ;-)
Heh, what's the deal with that? Sounds like what Zach Meston said a while back about a copy of a strat guide he wrote. Heheh.

I'll check that out, and you bet if I buy one I'll ask for a signature!

[Ayce]

Never got issue #2 never got that email. I wonder if I will ever get a refund.

[Melf]

Never got issue #2 never got that email. I wonder if I will ever get a refund.

I never got them either. If the refund takes as long as issue #2 did then forget it.

[v1rich]

When are you going to process the refunds? I still have not gotten mine back yet.

[NE146]

Thanks to v1rich, I received my 2 copies of the magazine in the mail tonight! Thanks dude. :D

This magazine is great! I always love reading new publications about classic systems :)

[Perkar]

just wanted to say with a tinge of regret that i received my refund for all remaning issues last night via paypal. sorry to see the magazine go, but happy that i have a little bit of spending cash now. heh

[Flack]

No need to kick 'em while they're down, guys. So, the magazine failed. That doesn't mean they're going to run off into the moonlit night with your cash! Beyond ex-magazine owners, these guys are retrogamers too!

I received my refund via PayPal yesterday, btw.

[christianscott27]

christianscott27 wrote:
never got a chance to see the magazine but it seems to me that game collectors are a very computer oriented bunch who would rather get the info online for free than pay for a magazine.

just an observation.


i would think a "collector" would want the ORGINAL magazine not just read whats on the net. are you sure you are not talking about "game players"

i'm really more of a collector myself, and a big collector of just about everything game related but i wouldnt extend that to modern day stuff. i wouldnt consider a modern publication to be any more of a collection must have than all those atari's greatest hits packages on the playstation. thats just me though, when i think classic gamingthink made in the 80s. i've got most of the classic gaming books out but they're more reference material than collectors items.

[Cleatis]

Don't take this the wrong way but if it must be bought or subscribed to, I'm not interested. After sending $25 that could have been used for something else and waiting for well over a month, I'm a bit peeved to find out that all my time was wasted.

Pfft...I admire the effort, ManciGames. The world would be a lot more fun if more people put their time into something like you guys did. That was something we ALL could have enjoyed. /applaud!