Err...wow. That looks very professionally done. Well done to all involved te wrok truly has paid off. As for feedback, I've some ideas:
The first is if there could be an editor if there isn't one already simply to read over it all, proofread it, add any punctuation if necessary. I've only skimmed it briefly and I didn't see any major errors but it would not hurt just to have somebody to read over everything. Much more importantly, if a standard review format could be decided upon it would definitely help create a more unified feel to the magazine. The first thing to note is whether or not reviews should have a score (personally I think it's better when a review does not feature a score as it encourages the user to end up reading the whole article as opposed to just glancing at the end for the review score). If a review score is to be implemented then you need to look at the scale. Will it be a five point one? Ten point? Twenty point? Or will it be a one hundred point scale? Then there is also the question if it is implemented of what each score will mean? For most reviewers there is an issue where almost every game ends up getting an 80% or higher, a score that should mean a very good game is now the average and the only scores that matter are 8, 9 and 10 with anything lower a bad or unworthy game. The editor would need to try and discuss with the reviewers about whether or not they've scored a game too high or too low based upon their review so that the reader feels like the score is deserved. This would allow reviews to seem more legitimate and it would make it easier to compare with other games if the score (if there was one) was placed under more scrutiny. It would also be their work to try to remain objective also, not letting their own personal opinion impact upon the content.
Secondly, I don't know if this is simply due to OCD or whether it is an annoyance to others but I'm wondering whether or not most magazines have their articles spread throughout the magazine as opposed to all together? What I mean by this is I'm wondering whether or not you should put all the reviews one after another, the top stories one after another and the other articles one after another? If other magazines have them spread out then I guess it's the right design but it makes it more difficult to navigate for me (only slightly though since it's not like there's two hundred pages to go through) since I either must keep going back to the contents or clicking through the pages until I find the article I'm looking for. This probably isn't an issue for most people though.
Third, very minor, I remember seeing on a similar project somewhere else that in the content page the actual names of the articles served as links to those articles. So for example if I clicked on the Unit 13 Review in the contents it would bring me to that page in the magazine. I have no idea as to whether or not such a thing is available in the software that is being used to create this so this may not be possible but it would be a nice touch to help make navigation a little easier if it was possible and save you from clicking through each page.
Fourth, an increase in content would not go amiss either (which is mainly why I have focused on navigational issues [to me] preceeding this). Now I realise that there is constraints due to it being uploaded by members but an increase in news and reviews would greatly benefit the magazine. With regard to the increase in news two or three articles about various news topics between issues would succeed in giving it an even more professional feel and help to inform the readers of things that are being reported elsewhere. Likewise more game reviews if possible would give the reader much more content and would encourage them to spend a longer time reading i and a broad range of games would make the magazine appeal to more people. I also have two things to suggest. The first would perhaps to have a "Retro Reviews" section in order to allow people to review older games in addition to the new releases. Secondly, if it's going to remain at three reviews an issue perhaps having two people to do two different reviews of a game could be an interesting way to try and encourage readers, giving two seperate reviews (which should be objective yet generally are not unfortunately) is something nowhere else does to my knowledge and it would create something unique for the magaziine.
Fifth, feature articles would definitely not go amiss at the beginning of the magazine to instantly give something with quite alot of content. Although for obvious reasons it probably won't get major exclusive previews or reveals a major title but in saying that a discussion article on news, rumours, speculation or a controversial issue (pre-owned games, on disk DLC, shutting down servers etc.) could just as easily be used.
Sixth the rest of these are pretty small, any chance that there will be just a small section, perhaps on the side of a page of upcoming games?
Seventh, I think (not 100% sure) that there is still a trophy hoarder section on the forum so getting a list of hints for a popular game that has just been released could be a good idea.
Eight, perhaps just a small tiny section on PSN Games in that month, a list of minis, full games, demos, PS Plus stuff and other content that has been uploaded in the month.
Ninth, another small thing but at the end of any news section perhaps just a brief list of popular threads on this forum or popular news so that users can then go search for more news if they wished.
However, the magazine looks incredible as it is and I'm taken back by how well designed it is.
EDIT: One more thing that could be done without trying to edit the format of the actual magazine is if there was a feature review for the issue which would be the prominent review, generally for the most anticipated game of the month.
Also, since I know the magazine is planned to be done on a quarterly basis I hope you realise that when I say "month" in the post I'm more referring to "in between each issue" but I didn't want to type that out, what would have bee, a repetitive and unnecessary amount of times.
Also, I'm aware that the vast majority of these suggestions are probably not feasable due to the amount of people it would require and how that amount of people would be required every two weeks to produce it so I'm not saying the omission of these suggestions would be bad or anything, simply ways that I feel it could possibly be improved (which again isn't to say that it is currently bad, it looks incredible).
we'll be asking for volunteers again for the next issue at some point.
