Publications
of interest
Cubism for Fun, published (in English) 3 times a year, is the newsletter of the Dutch Cubists Club. The Club was founded in 1981 to explore Rubik's Cube and its variants. CFF has become a sophisticated journal for a world-wide readership, with a wide range of original, well-researched puzzle topics, some a bit scholarly on math but loads of fun anyway. Subscription is by membership. You can send inquiries to Rik van Grol. They also have a website.
The Game Cabinet. This is an entirely online-only magazine, edited by Ken Tidwell. It contains detailed reviews of all types of games and a wealth of links to other game-related information, including a manufacturers' directory. The whimsical and breezy style and the loose update schedule make The Game Cabinet an interesting one-man show. Ken's email address is: editor@gamecabinet.com.
The Game Report, published roughly quarterly by Peter Sarrett (peter@wolfenet.com) and available by subscription. This home-made and informal 32-page pamphlet focuses on modern board, card, family and strategy games with a particular emphasis on "German-style" games, with occasional guest reviewers contributing articles. Peter solicits contributions and correspondence on board, party, card, dice, strategy and family games. Game enthusiasts can share information, debate the merits of their favorites, and argue with the editor. An online edition of The Game Report has crosslinks to many other game-related sites. Be warned, though, that not all those sites may be well-maintained; others require you to have Java but don't tell you that.
Game Times, published 3 times a year by Association of Game and Puzzle Collectors. The AGPC (formerly AGCA) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of old games and puzzles, and to the research on the history of games and puzzles. Game Times is available through membership only. Dues for 1998 are $30 ($35 overseas). AGCA also organizes an annual national convention, with interesting speakers, exhibits, selling, trading and gaming. Membership per year is $30 for U.S. and Canada, $40 overseas. Their redesigned website is super! Even has a surprising musical interlude if you find that page.
Games Games Games, published in the UK 10 times a year by SFC Press. Contains lots of reviews of contemporary games from mainly Europe and America, news about game companies, calendar of gaming events and conventions. Heavy on role-playing, war and postal games, plus good abstract strategy games. Reviews of several Kadon products appeared in the February 1998 issue.
Games Magazine was founded in 1978 and is published 6 times a year by Games Publications, a division of Kappa Publishing Group. This is the leading magazine in the field, slick and colorful, used by many teachers as a great resource for building thinking skills. Games' motto is, "The magazine for creative minds at play." Each issue has 68 pages of ingenious puzzles and games, pencil puzzles, logic puzzles, feature articles, plus many in-depth reviews of new games and latest trends on the market. Their annual Buyer's Guide to Games includes the editors' selections, after thorough play-testing, of the 100 best hands-on games and puzzles and the 100 best electronic games. (How would you like that job?) Their subscription hotline is: 1-800-426-3768. Editor-in-Chief: R. Wayne Schmittberger. Editorial offices: P.O. Box 184, Ft. Washington, PA 19034.
Infinity is a new kind of magazine of mathematical puzzles and diversions — designed to engage, develop and perpetuate the reader’s interest in mathematics. Experienced teachers and lecturers will find it fascinating and full of teaching ideas. Students will find it a window onto the wider world of mathematics with its colorful and beautifully illustrated pages. The articles come from the top people in the field. Published by Tarquin Books in the UK, subscriptions accepted worldwide.
Knucklebones is the latest and most jazzy-looking slick magazine about games of all kinds, from traditional favorites to the hottest new boardgames, card games, puzzles and more. Knucklebones is bi-monthly, with articles by the top writers in the field. The graphics are great. Each issue is packed with news and reviews, interviews, brainteasers and solid analyses. As they say, it's about family, friends, and good times. Published by Jones Publishing in Iola, Wisconsin. Editor: Sarah Gloystein Peterson. Art Director: Josh Buschkopf.
Polymancer Magazine is the flagship publication of Polymancer Studios, a Canadian multimedia company specializing in different areas of the game development and game entertainment industry. Their areas of expertise include publishing, game design and development (both computer- and non-computer-based products), graphic design, artwork, and computer simulation. They have an elegant and informative website.
Puzzle Fun is both a fledgling website and a printed newsletter, published, in English, about 2 to 4 times a year in Argentina by Rodolfo Marcelo Kurchan mostly as a labor of love. It is devoted primarily to investigations with polyominoes. Subscription to the printed copy is $7 per issue, postage included. Back issues are $5. Subscribers in 14 countries. Rodolfo accepts payment in cash, American check, or in exchange for books or puzzles. You can email Rodolfo, or write to him at: Parana 960 5"A" (1017) Buenos Aires, Argentina.
World Game Review, published by Michael Keller since 1983 on a non-periodic basis, is a one-man labor of love with a loyal worldwide readership. Thirteen issues have been published to date. Although only photocopied and handbound, it's the most in-depth and intellectual, conscientiously accurate and balanced of any game-related publication we know of. The reviews primarily focus on abstract strategy games, puzzles, and modern variants of classic games. WGR uniquely also publishes the latest research findings and explores new ideas in polyform puzzles. Michael has a great respect for the creative process and scrupulously documents all sources of intellectual property he and his reviewers write about. Fortunately, back copies of all issues are still available, and the material never goes out of date. For inquiries and subscriptions, you can email Michael Keller directly. Michael also maintains an authoritative website on FreeCell and other solitaires, Solitaire Laboratory.
