Exactly, Chris. Things like the “Ecology” articles- they didn’t sell game supplements or source books, but they gave me ideas about why / how certain monsters “worked”. Materials on how to be a better DM, or how to craft a dungeon, or create balanced magic items. A story or a piece of artwork might launch a whole epic adventure idea.

I don’t know what WotC plans to do to “replace” Dragon, although their follow up posts imply they have something planned. I’m cynical, though: I could imagine a “rah rah, buy our new version 3.721567 source books for $39 each and get cool spikes on your elven warriors!” sort of advertising “brochureware” news site. That would be sad.

Ah well: I still have things like Order of the Stick (the comic I mentioned above that Leaha turned me on to). That brings back good memories 🙂