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Slasher

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Reviews will be done in situations that are relevant to the kit being reviewed, for example, Desert Boots will be reviewed by wearing them in a desert, not slugging up and down some boggy, British hillside!

 

Surely it'd be better if reviews were done in situations that are relevant to where the kit is likely to be used? It's all well and good knowing how great desert boots are in an actual desert but is that really relevant to airsofters who are going to be wearing them to run around the british countryside?

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Could we please have a magazine that leans more towards your average Sunday Skirmisher who may once or twice a year visit a weekender or a new site, and not another one about geardo PTW-toting Gucci-softers?

 

Unfortunatley:

 

1. They are part of the hobby as much as they get on many peoples nerves.

2. They are the ones with enough cash to buy a subscription and money to attend special events to do write ups.

3. Will buy the most guns / kit so if your magazine wants to help raise funds for the sponsors this is the best way to do it.

 

At the end of the day you have to appeal to everyone and if these people are the quickest way to get revenue and subscriptions it is who they are going to pander to.

 

Ideally the magazine needs balance, if that isn't achieved then they are going to lose large areas of the players base. It is just unfortunate than unlike many other past times we don't have at least 3-4 magazines to choose from, we have one monthly print mag and that is it. Add to that many of us use forums and we don't buy magazines unless it is a last minute train journey purchase.

 

'FireKnife'

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Surely it'd be better if reviews were done in situations that are relevant to where the kit is likely to be used? It's all well and good knowing how great desert boots are in an actual desert but is that really relevant to airsofters who are going to be wearing them to run around the british countryside?

 

^This... sorry, but don't really get how testing the kit we might use in areas we would never use it in is relevant...?

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Get hold of Gadge and get him writing articles. The chap's a font of knowledge and the only reason I read "Generic Airsoft Magazine X"

 

Good luck

 

Dave

 

 

As long as its not page after page after page of WW2 airsoft. Dont get me wrong, as interested as I am in Period airsoft, I dont want to read about it in EVERY issue. I stopped buying Ai quite some time ago, but, part of the reason I stopped buying that mag was due to huge articles on WW2 every single month.

 

But anyway, I am looking forward to this new mag and I will more than likely buy the first mag to see whats its like.I'm sure its going to do well, i have been wanting some good airsoft toilet reading material for years :D

 

Wonder when we can expect to see the first issue released?

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As long as its not page after page after page of WW2 airsoft. Dont get me wrong, as interested as I am in Period airsoft, I dont want to read about it in EVERY issue. I stopped buying Ai quite some time ago, but, part of the reason I stopped buying that mag was due to huge articles on WW2 every single month.

 

 

TBH Gadge's period airsoft articles, as already mentioned, are far and away the standout feature of most AI issues...

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TBH Gadge's period airsoft articles, as already mentioned, are far and away the standout feature of most AI issues...

 

I stopped reading when snowman and his Justpistols reviews got pulled.

 

To be honest i wish a magazine would have more regular players reviews and such, rather than reviews done by the magazine staff as that way they wont be forced by a sponsor to comment on a gun they don't think is any good.

 

'FireKnife'

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To be honest i wish a magazine would have more regular players reviews and such, rather than reviews done by the magazine staff as that way they wont be forced by a sponsor to comment on a gun they don't think is any good.

 

'FireKnife'

 

 

I tend to agree. We all like different things in a site and, let's face it, there has been more than enough accusations of sites being approached by a certain magazine wanting payment for a good review.

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as above:)

 

I never said Gadge and his WW2 articles werent good, infact they are very well written and informative, we just didnt need it every issue did we?

 

I wouldnt mind Vietnam, WW2 ect period articles, I just dont think/I know most people arent that interested. One article every 4 issues or something would be more than suitable i would think

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Well with a good enough number of pages you could easily have at least 2 page spreads on:

 

Newbie Section.

3-4 Site Reviews.

3-4 Gun Reviews.

Kit Review.

WW2 Section.

Nam / Cold War / Non-WW2 Period Section.

News and Upcoming.

Tips section on gun customisation (that isn't, lets face it, made of bloody Armalite tips).

Milsim Section.

Team / Readers Posting Section.

Letters Section.

 

That with the adverts and other intros each issue would be perfect. None of this appealing to WW2 and Historics more than 2 times an issue as really it doesn't make up a huge percentage, same as milsim. Don't mean that too be rude but you have to focus on what everyone wants and have a fair bit of each.

 

'FireKnife'

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Well with a good enough number of pages you could easily have at least 2 page spreads on:

 

Newbie Section.

3-4 Site Reviews.

3-4 Gun Reviews.

Kit Review.

WW2 Section.

Nam / Cold War / Non-WW2 Period Section.

News and Upcoming.

Tips section on gun customisation (that isn't, lets face it, made of bloody Armalite tips).

Milsim Section.

Team / Readers Posting Section.

Letters Section.

 

That with the adverts and other intros each issue would be perfect. None of this appealing to WW2 and Historics more than 2 times an issue as really it doesn't make up a huge percentage, same as milsim. Don't mean that too be rude but you have to focus on what everyone wants and have a fair bit of each.

 

'FireKnife'

 

 

Very good list, however I would be inclined for Kit Review to have two subsections of a) Gun Accessories/ add on reviews and B) Gear reviews

 

 

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I am sure with a decent 2 page or even at a push two 2 page spreads you could get all the accesories and kit on. In the world of airsoft there is a fair bit of kit each month but that could still fit onto a small nuber of pages. Most magazines seem to end up space wasting with this and end up with only 3 bits of kit on 2 pages, if it was up to me then it would be as much info as i could get, less to print in terms of page numbers and more information to a wider group of potential buyers.

 

Though personally i have yet to be influenced by anything a magazine reviews (thats any magazine, not just airsoft) as they are often under commision or are getting the item for free in exchange for a more favourable review (it happens) but that is me.

 

I just hope that it does well and remembers it is for the players, not the sponsors, as much as a modern monthly magazine can be.

 

'FireKnife'

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It's all well and good, but it won't work.

 

For one, trying to get gun reviews that any of us haven't read or seen online billions of times over will be a big enough task for any fledgling publication by itself, short of serious sponsorship.

 

That alone made me stop buying AI yonks ago - I don't care that KWA have released another M4 that they claim is "lipo-ready", and I don't care about comparisons between ACM gear and TM/CA/whatever.

 

I don't want to dress up like a 1337SASDeltaForceSpetznazTerminator, and I don't have £5000 to spend on NVG's. I don't want to collect toy dolls, and I have no more than a passing interest in WW2 airsofting.

 

I like scantily-clad, buxom women with suitably big guns wedged in their cleavages. I like honest, unbiased reviews of the latest kit, with useful comparisons to similar stuff in the same price range that would do the same or a better job.

 

If you can tick those boxes, then I'm in, and I'm good for a subscription.

 

Ben.

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It's all well and good, but it won't work.

 

For one, trying to get gun reviews that any of us haven't read or seen online billions of times over will be a big enough task for any fledgling publication by itself, short of serious sponsorship.

 

That alone made me stop buying AI yonks ago - I don't care that KWA have released another M4 that they claim is "lipo-ready", and I don't care about comparisons between ACM gear and TM/CA/whatever.

 

I don't want to dress up like a 1337SASDeltaForceSpetznazTerminator, and I don't have £5000 to spend on NVG's. I don't want to collect toy dolls, and I have no more than a passing interest in WW2 airsofting.

 

I like scantily-clad, buxom women with suitably big guns wedged in their cleavages. I like honest, unbiased reviews of the latest kit, with useful comparisons to similar stuff in the same price range that would do the same or a better job.

 

If you can tick those boxes, then I'm in, and I'm good for a subscription.

 

Ben.

 

Sadly, unless you've got VERY deep pockets and plan to fund this endeavour. It'll never happen.

 

And there's nothing wrong with old reviews published in print. There are SO many guns out there that simply don't have proper reviews. Unbiased is ludicrously difficult especialy as a lot of gear comes down to personal preference. For example, my little brother would write a great review about an MagPul AFG, mine would be a daning review. Why because it is an item subject entirely to feel. I don't like it, he does.

 

As for buxom babes with suitably large guns, they have to be paid for too, sadly they dont' do it for the love of airsoft :P

 

I'll be happy with a variety of peices, maybe I don't give a monkeys buttocks about WW2 softing. But I know there are plenty who do. I don't care for 'Nam either, but that's a pretty big scene. I think armalites are the most boring pitiful peices of trash ever developed and couldn't care less if 100 varients fo the same boring thing came out. But I bet ther's plenty who want an in depth review of the latest KWA 'LiPo ready' M4. I like reviews of interesting guns. I like customisation guides. I get a VERY buxom babe capably handling a gun every time I come home to my long suffering gf so I have no particular care for it in a magazine. I like tech tips and I like loadout guides, ok AI did a terrible job, but I liked the concept. Condensed the usually HUNDREDS of pages of threads into something readable that I could flick through and decide on a loadout.

 

As long as it keeps variety and journalistic integrity (there IS such a thing? :P) then it's already a damn sight better than anything else out there.

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What I can tell you is that the Publishing Company behind it already has seven very successful publications, one of which won the "Magazine Oscar" last year for best new mag - so they know what they are doing and have the financial strength to do it!

 

I'm not keen on mysteries, so I've done some digging. The 'Magazine Oscars' that have been mentioned are the PPA Awards. I've looked up the 2010 winners and guess what. There's no catagory for "Best New Mag". At best, this could be an error on Slashers part and he's referring to "Specialist Consumer Mag of the Year" (Other catagories don't fit) which was won by Future Publishing for Cycling Plus. At worst, this is a wind-up.

 

I've looked at the Future Publishing portfolio. It's pretty extensive. It wouldn't surprise me if most of us have read one of their publications.

 

I think some sort of confirmation or denial would be in order.

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Strewth! This is going to be a bit of a long post...

 

Before I go any further I just want to say thanks to all of you for taking the time and trouble to voice your thoughts and opinions - it is much appreciated.

 

I have read every post and taken on-board everything that has been said - some views I agree with and some I don't, but that is just the way of things.

 

The magazine is being published by Blaze Publishing, who already publish titles such as Sporting Rifle, Airgun Shooter, Clay Shooting, Gun Trade News and some others.

 

Sorry if I confused some people by referring to a publication that won a "Magazine Oscar", this was meant as a generic term, not a litteral one.

 

The publication I was referring to was Airgun Shooter which won the ACE (Association of Circulation Executives) Best New Magazine Launch 2010 Award - something considered in those circles to be like winning an "Oscar" - and was also awared Bronze Best Overall, coming third only to the Daily Mail and I newspapers.

 

I understand that you want as much info as possible and, believe me, I really want to unload everything we have got planned however, I do not think it would be a wise thing to do as it would open the door for others to steal a march on us. Once the magazine is out and it's title legally protected, you will know everything there is to know and (judging by the speed at which news spreads round the inet these days) you'll probably know it before me...

 

To answer a couple of points more directly...

 

You won't find any plagerism on my watch and if a gun we review is rubbish, that is what will be reported. However, I reserve the right if we find that an item is soo poor that it is obviously un-fit for purpose, to return it to the supplier in order that they have the opportunity to put it right before we re-review it - I also reserve the right to tell you (the players) that is what happened.

 

Advertising is a necessary evil and, without it we would not be able to publish the magazine. If you think about it, without advertising you would find it very difficult to find anything. Sure there is the internet but that is not a 100% replacement for all advertisers and not all advertisers want to advertise online. So, until something comes along to replace it, we are stuck with ink-on-paper and in this magazine we will maintain a 60/40 Editorial/Advertising split.

 

I have spoken with many companies over the last week or so and have said the same thing to all of them: So far as I am concerned, there is a "Chinese Wall" between Advertising and Editorial and I will not provide Editorial in exchange for Advertising, in the same way that I will not demand Advertising in exchange for Editorial.

 

There are two words that, as Editor, I believe in passionately: INDEPENDENT and PROFESSIONAL to do anything other than the above would compromise both, along with my integrity.

 

This thread is not about AI but I want to mention it nonetheless.

 

Airsoft is growing and will continue to do so and, whatever your thoughts about AI, they have been instrumental in promoting the sport/game/hobby and therefore deserve respect and credit for doing so. However, as in many areas of life, competition is a healthy thing and AI have been out on their own for a long time - I believe the time is right for a new magazine, with fresh ideas and a different approach.

 

Some of you will like our magazine, some of you will prefer AI and some may buy both but, whichever way you cut it, it can only be good for you and Airsoft in general to have a choice - there is certainly room for both.

 

Reviews... I used Desert Boots as an example to explain what I meant - although, on this occasion it was a litteral example as there will be a Desert Boot review in Issue 2. I could equally have talked about using a long-barrelled rifle for CQB, or a pistol for Sniping but I think you get the point.

 

We are gathering a Team of expert writers (experts in their field that is, not necessarily at typing!) to provide good quality, researched, intelligent articles. Whenever I can (and it is appropriate) the writer will have first-hand experience of the subject and can pass on their skills and knowledge to those that don't, in an "airsoft context". For me, it is vital that the reviewer is writing from a position of knowledge and not just making it up as he goes along, or copying from another source but it is also important to note something else...

 

A "review" is the opinion of one person, in a given set of circumstances, at a particular moment in time and, as such, is a subjective observation based upon that person's thoughts and feelings at that time. If you are looking for a new car, you don't just read one review and base your purchasing decision on that alone, you read as many reviews as you can then go out and try different makes and models until you find the one that is "right" for you (the one that makes you "feel good") and that you can afford.

 

As a consequence of that, you will not find scores/ratings/stars etc. on any of our reviews but what you will find is an open, honest opinion - good or bad - written by someone who knows what they are talking about and, if you like what you read (and even if you don't), don't take our word for it, go and try it for yourself!

 

Here's something for you...

 

Based on what I have just said, if you think you have what it takes to write for the magazine, send me a PM with a contact number and I'll give you a ring. Just one thing though, it doesn't mean that you'll get loads of free gear. Most review items either go back to the supplier or will be given away in competitons/raffles however, if you are taken on, you will be paid for published contributions.

 

Just one last observation regarding reviews... How many of you have seen the an advert/review/televison programme that features the latest, greatest Supercar or 4x4 and thought "Wow! Wish I had one of those!"? I would guess at more than just one or two and yet you cannot use a Supercar in this Country for the purpose for which it was designed and how many 4x4s actually go off road?

 

The point is that people want to know how something performs in the environment for which it was designed, so why not test Desert Boots in a desert? Just because we don't have deserts in this country, doesn't mean we shouldn't report on how they perform and, beyond that, what about the MilSimmers or Re-Enacters who DO want to know? Should they be excluded just because...?

 

Launch and Publication...

 

The magazine is going to be launched at The Ground Zero Weekender over the August Bank Holiday Weekend - and no, this doesn't mean we have paid Ground Zero, neither does it mean that Zero One own the magazine, neither have they been given free advertising.

 

What is does mean is that over 1,200 players will be given a free copy of the magazine, including players from across Europe, along with a stunning Subscription Offer. The magazine will then go on general sale in WH Smith and the like, on September the 1st and every four weeks after that. If anyone can come up with a better way to launch a new airsoft magazine that weekend, I would love to hear it.

 

Who it is aimed at...

 

Nobody and everybody!

 

Over the weeks and months there will be articles covering every aspect of airsoft and catering for players at all levels. Again, I am not going to say too much here for the reasons I have already mentioned but, suffice it to say, there will be one or two surprises and that will hopefully keep you entertained, informed and maybe educated along the way but "pandering" is not a word I have in my vocabulary!

 

Just read back through the posts in this thread and you will see a fairly wide cross-section of "airsoft interests", which demonstrates one of the huge strengths of airsoft - diversity!

 

So, that's about it for now - sorry it's been a bit long-winded!

 

Thanks again to all of you for your comments and thoughts, I have taken them all on board.

 

If you want to send me a "Readers Write" contribution or "Gallery" photo, please PM me and I'll give you an email address to send it to and, as I said earlier, if you fancy the idea of writing for the magazine, I'd love to hear from you.

 

Stay safe.

 

Slasher out.

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I forgot something...

 

I have absolutely no problem with pictures of semi-naked women, I've certainly taken enough photos of the subject in my time (but that is another story!) but, sorry guys, there will be no scantily clad, buxom ladies, or ladies copulating with guns, or ladies with guns jammed between their breasts!

 

Two reasons:

 

1) I don't think it brings anything new to the magazine (been there, done that, didn't work, grew up, moved on...!)

 

2) There are precious few female players out there and I have no intention of demeaning/embarrassing/alienating them with a public display of stereotypical images, no matter how titillating they may be to some.

 

'Nuf sed!

 

Slasher out.

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As a consequence of that, you will not find scores/ratings/stars etc. on any of our reviews but what you will find is an open, honest opinion - good or bad - written by someone who knows what they are talking about and, if you like what you read (and even if you don't), don't take our word for it, go and try it for yourself!

 

Now this I like - no silly scores, just what the reviewer thinks about it. Leaves the reader to decide whether or not it's for them.

 

The point is that people want to know how something performs in the environment for which it was designed, so why not test Desert Boots in a desert? Just because we don't have deserts in this country, doesn't mean we shouldn't report on how they perform and, beyond that, what about the MilSimmers or Re-Enacters who DO want to know? Should they be excluded just because...?

 

Fair enough, it's good to test things doing the thing they were designed to do. But given that this is a British/European audience, you should also comment on how well the boots would work in a muddy woodland because we want to know that too.

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I forgot something...

 

I have absolutely no problem with pictures of semi-naked women, I've certainly taken enough photos of the subject in my time (but that is another story!) but, sorry guys, there will be no scantily clad, buxom ladies, or ladies copulating with guns, or ladies with guns jammed between their breasts!

 

Two reasons:

 

1) I don't think it brings anything new to the magazine (been there, done that, didn't work, grew up, moved on...!)

 

2) There are precious few female players out there and I have no intention of demeaning/embarrassing/alienating them with a public display of stereotypical images, no matter how titillating they may be to some.

 

'Nuf sed!

 

Slasher out.

I think another reason for not having bare naked ladies is the fact that as Airsofters very few of us are blessed with understanding partners {i am one of the blessed :P } & having a magazine around the house which looks like it could have come from Larry Flints printing press might not go down to well.

Like a lot of other people i have a passing interest in WW2 softing,same with any period softing except modern era which i have the kit for.This is based on the amount of cash it has cost me to get to the point i'm at today with my gear.Extra costs for a specific period look except modern, can not be undertaken because of cost,that's my choice. However having said that i do like to see what other people are up to so i'm not totally opposed to a magazine which shows other sides of my hobby.

I like technical pieces which show how to upgrade/convert or fix an AEG/GBB.Such things in hard copy are a tad more convieniant than trying to watch the PC screen while fixing an AEG on a table some distance away.

I'd like to see guns reviewed regardless of being copies made in China.

I like kit reviews which quote sources other than "available at all good airsoft retailers".

Tips for over night/Weekend games.Ok i sleep outside all the time,sometimes i use a tent ,sometimes i use a Basha & i remain comfy because i'm in the know.However a lot of people amaze me at their inability to prepare to camp outdoors in the British Countryside so maybe a small piece to prepare airsofters.

Tactics,plenty of sources out there for real world tactics {how to enter buildings & clear them} but how many people have translated real world tactics into airsoft use.What works & what doesn't.Any X squaddy will remember lessons on clearing a building but we never had people shooting back so we got graded on our tactics.Airsoft rules in situations like that because it can provide people shooting back & as such it's a genuine training tool.

May be review on Chinese tactical gear.It may be copied from the real deal but it will last if it's stitched together well & the material is up to the job.We wont know with out a review.

Last words.

I read AI because it's easy enough to get hold of & it does contain some useful articles which i can use.

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