History
The publication was initially launched to run alongside their own business of producing hand-crafted wooden board games. Because of this, there was a clear stated interest in print regarding "progressive games" including computer gaming and abstract games. The magazine issued a clear message for British producers to challenge the major game producing countries of the United States and Germany in what was, at the time, a relatively "traditional" marketplace. Copies of early issues were also sent speculatively to anyone within the industry in order to help generate business and nurture longer-term connections and partnerships.
The sixth issue, a key point in Games Workshop's early history, was released as a Dungeons & Dragons special - a first in the UK - and issues #11 and #23 doubled as programmes for their early Games Days, leading to coverage in The Times both of these events and of their magazine.
The editors had expected that the publication would run on beyond issue #25 (in #23, for Games Day II, results for a competition were to be announced in #27), but it was soon after decided that a more professional image was required in order to move the company into a new "phase", in line with what TSR had carried out the previous year (when TSR transitioned their first periodical, The Strategic Review, into the "glossy" roleplaying and wargaming magazines, The Dragon and Little Wars).
Although Owl and Weasel's circulation would be considered tiny by modern day standards (having only exceeded 200 "nicely", including 80 direct sales through hobby shops, by early 1976), its influence in expanding what were previously niche hobbies into the general British marketplace dominated by traditional games was considerable, and it played a key role in setting up Games Workshop for an extended period of rapid growth.
Read more about this topic: Owl And Weasel
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