Fantastic Adventures
Fantasy Worlds (UK only)
Game World
Secrets of the Sages
TSR Spotlight
TSR Worlds

Fantastic Adventures was the sequel to Game World, and first appeared in January 1994 (with the Winter 1993 issue).  Like its predecessor, it was given away free at retailers and bookstores, and may have been available via subscription as well.  We don't know how many issues were printed past the first.  (Thanks to Rob Hammond for this info).

Fantasy Worlds was the only TSR-UK newsletter we know of, and was planned as a bi-monthly affair.  It ran for five confirmed issues, beginning August 1987 through April 1988 (while more issues are certainly possible, Fantasy Worlds may have been discontinued with the advent of UK Dragon, which is believed to have debuted in June 1988).   Issue #2 is 12 pages long, with a page size of UK-standard A4.  (Thanks to Leonard Riotto and Adam Shultz for this info).

Game World was a newsletter first released in Fall 1990 (we believe), and printed quarterly through the end of 1993 (when it was re-titled Fantastic Adventures).  It was freely distributed at retailers and bookstores, as well as via free subscription.  Each issue was 8 pages long (two large sheets nested within each other, newspaper style).  The Winter 1993 Game World was actually printed at the beginning of the 1993 year. (Thanks to Rob Hammond for this info).

Secret of the Sages.  The First printing of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting boxed set came with a form that could be filled out to receive the Forgotten Realms newsletter, Secrets of the Sages.  Only a single issue of this newsletter was released, in the summer of 1988; it is 8 pages, and contains short descriptions of places in the Realms that were left out of the boxed set (Aglarond, Evermeet and Halruaa).  The last page (inside back) has a map of "The North" region.  (Thanks to Shane Voelker, Brett Easterbrook, and Travis Masoner for this info).

TSR Spotlight ran for but a single issue in the Spring of 1990, through it was originally slated as a quarterly publication.  In addition to the expected ads and promos for coming attractions, TSR Spotlight also provided campaign information in support of the various TSR games and campaign worlds.  Issue One includes an AD&D mini-adventure called "Brownie Misery", set near Raven's Bluff in the Forgotten Realms.  We know that TSR Spotlight was distributed via mail, but don't know how one signed up for a subscription (and whether or not this newsletter was also available free from retailers, which would substantially decrease its worth and rarity).  Contributor Byron Odwazny recalls receiving the newsletter in the mail, and believes it may have been sent out to early Dungeon magazine subscribers.  If you know, please drop us a line!

TSR Worlds was released as three issues (June-Dec 1987, Jan-June 1988, and Fall 1988).  The first issue is arguably one of the most interesting of all the TSR newsletters; aside from the various articles, mention is made of the never-released BX/1 Islandia Campaign, as well as "The 1st Annual Official TSR Dumb Ideas Contest" (the winning idea of which, "Greyhawk Jam", was developed into WG7 Castle Greyhawk).  The first issue was 8 pages long (two large sheets nested within each other, newspaper style); the second and third issues were but 4 pages (a single large sheet, folded in half).  (Thanks to Rob Hammond for this info).

To dispel several questions we've received:  a newsletter supporting the DragonLance campaign setting was released in the late 1990's, entitled Legends of the Lance.  All of the issues were at one point downloadable (as .PDF's) on the WotC web site.  Because of this, they are collectably worthless, and are not included here.

Printing Information

There was but a single printing of each.

Thanks to Leonard Riotto for the scan of Fantasy Worlds #2, to Adam Shultz for the scan of Fantasy Worlds #5, to Rob Hammond for the scans of Fantastic Adventures, Game World (Spr 91, Spr 92-Wtr 93), and TSR Worlds #1, to Mark Petrick for scans of Game World (Fall 90, Sum 91, Fall 91), to Devon Hibbs for the scan of TSR Worlds Vol 2 #2, and to Travis Masoner for the scan of Secrets of the Sages.

Unquestionably, all of these newsletters are very rare.  Few people bothered to keep them for any length of time.  Less certain, however, is their worth -- for the most part, these are even less useful than a catalog.

Secrets of the Sages is the sole newsletter that was available only by subscription (though it is possible that TSR Spotlight was also only available via subscription).  As such, it is even more rare than the others.  SW condition assumes it is unmailed (understandably far more rare, and probably only obtainable by TSR staff).

• Secrets of the Sages:  NM: $123 (6/00), NM: $41 (8/00), NM: $63 (1/02), NM/SW: $118 (6/04)

• TSR Spotlight:  VF: $3 (7/00), VF: $32 (2/03), NM: $32 (2/03)