Polyhedron Magazine: The History of the RPGA Publication
Launched in 1981, Polyhedron served as the primary voice for the Role Playing Gamers Association (RPGA). Designed specifically for players of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the magazine functioned as a community hub where gamers wrote for other gamers. Its style mirrored the influential Dragon magazine, blending game information with updates on RPGA membership and organized events.
For much of its early existence, the publication was an exclusive benefit. Access was restricted to RPGA members, meaning that for many enthusiasts, joining the association was essentially a means of securing a subscription to the magazine.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Founded: 1981, originally as the "RPGA Newsletter."
- Primary Audience: Members of the Role Playing Gamers Association (RPGA).
- Major Publishers: Included E. Gary Gygax, TSR, Wizards of the Coast, and Paizo.
- Key Editor: Jean Rabe, who standardized the schedule and improved content quality.
- Format Evolution: Transitioned from black-and-white covers to full-glossy editions.
Evolution of Title and Frequency
The magazine underwent several identity shifts in its early years. The first four issues were referred to internally as the "RPGA Newsletter" (or RPGA News), while the covers were titled "TSR RPGA." By Issue 4, the title The Polyhedron was introduced, and from Issue 10 onward, it was known as the Polyhedron Newszine.
The publication schedule was notably erratic over the decades:
- May 1981 – February 1982: Quarterly
- April 1983 – May 1991: Bimonthly
- June 1991 – November 1996: Monthly
- October 1997 – May 2003: Bimonthly (with some irregularity)
- June 2003 – August 2004: Monthly (until the final issue)
Editorial Leadership and Quality Shifts
The magazine was steered by a variety of publishers and editors. Early leadership included E. Gary Gygax (Issues 1–11) and editors like Frank Mentzer and Mary Kirchoff. However, the most significant transformation occurred during the tenure of editor Jean Rabe (Issues 40–103).
Before Rabe, the content was often uneven and amateurish. Rabe implemented a regular schedule, introduced recurring topical columns, and applied rigorous editing to the articles. This era also saw a marked improvement in cover art, which began to feature strongly presented, fully clothed female adventurers. Rabe was also responsible for converting the magazine from a bimonthly to a monthly format.
Special Editions
Beyond the standard run, two special issues were produced: an Introductory Issue edited by Jean Rabe in 1989 for new members, and a Gen Con Issue edited by Sean Glenn in 1999, distributed exclusively at the Gen Con convention.
Production and Collector's Notes
For collectors and historians, Polyhedron presents several technical challenges. Pagination is often inconsistent because the mailing wrapper and cover were frequently included in the page count. The magazine grew in size over time, starting at 16–20 pages, expanding to 32–36 pages, and eventually reaching 40–60 pages as advertisements were introduced around Issue 144.
The visual style also evolved through several distinct phases:
- Issues 1–39: Black and white art.
- Issues 40–51: Single-colored left-hand stripe with hexes.
- Issues 52–74: Single colored cover with the hex stripe.
- Issues 78–119: Single color cover with a hex cluster in the top-left.
- Issues 120–143: Increasingly variable designs.
- Issue 144 onwards: Full-glossy covers.
Collectors should be wary of the volume and issue numbers printed in the magazine, as at least fifteen errors are known across the first 148 issues. The issue number is considered the only authoritative reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Title | RPGA Newsletter / TSR RPGA |
| Final Title | Polyhedron |
| Key Publishers | TSR, Wizards of the Coast, Paizo |
| Peak Editor | Jean Rabe |
| Final Issue | August 2004 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the target audience for Polyhedron?
The magazine specifically targeted players of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game who were members of the Role Playing Gamers Association (RPGA).
How did Jean Rabe change the magazine?
Jean Rabe professionalized the publication by establishing a regular monthly schedule, introducing themed materials and recurring columns, and applying stricter editing to reduce amateurish content.
Why is the pagination of Polyhedron considered problematic?
Pagination is inconsistent because the mailing wrappers and covers were often counted as pages, making it difficult to determine the exact length of the internal content.
Which companies published the magazine over time?
The magazine was published by various entities, including TSR, Wizards of the Coast, and Paizo, among other individual publishers like E. Gary Gygax.
What should collectors look for regarding issue numbering?
Collectors should rely on the issue number as the authoritative source, as the volume and numbers printed within the magazine contain numerous errors.