I have been a reader of the old Star Wars Insider and Star Wars Communicator for years. The Insider is now published by Paizo Publishing (one never knows when GL is going to change thigns), but the Communicator is still carefully produced every other month and arrives on time and full of good stuff in my mailbox. So, when I saw the full page ad in a recent issue suggesting I join the official LOTF fan club and get the magazine as part of the deal, I figured "why not?" Decipher has done a darn good job for Trek - what could it hurt.

Just my patience - I am stil waiting - they have cashed my check - the mailbox is stil empty. So, I did a quick visit of their website just to see what they are doing with my $$.

Being the totally clueless peep when it comes to games and stuff like that, I was surprised to see what these guys were involved in. I did know that, based on the advertising and articles in their magazine, they were pretty savvy when it came to the Trading Card Games, but I was not aware that they are leaders in the field. The extent of their offerings was really surprising. I learned that they publish the Star Trek Starfleet Operations Manual for the RPG, out this month. And they are also releasing the Fellowship of the Ring sourcebook as well.

They are no longer involved with the Star Wars Universe, but it was nice to see that there was a pleasant message advising of that info, rather than just nothing at all, which can be the case when a line of merchandice and license is pulled and given to someone else. A very professional way of doing business, and unusual in this day and age.

If you are a Trading Card Game player or collector, or you like getting into the heads of the RPG'ers of the world, go take a look at this site - there is so much information - I was overwhelmed. I will let you know when I get the new magazine, and we'll do a comparison between the 3. In the meantime, for more information on the products and services they offer, please visit decipher.com .