I Got a Little Carried Away and Launched a Premium Print Magazine on Substack

The launch of Chisel, a premium, biannual print magazine, represents a strategic effort to revitalize high-quality, physical media within the modern digital publishing landscape. Founded by industry veterans Ryan K. Rigney and Jason Killingsworth, the publication aims to counter the perceived decline in quality across digital media by emphasizing curated, human-made content. The magazine operates on a hybrid model, offering a lavish, book-bound print edition alongside a twice-weekly digital newsletter hosted on Substack.

The editorial scope of the magazine extends beyond traditional gaming coverage, focusing on the thematic pillars of beauty, obsession, and play. By commissioning work from world-class writers and artists, the founders seek to establish a sustainable, generational media institution that provides a permanent home for long-form journalism, arts criticism, and creative writing. The production process reflects this commitment to quality, utilizing award-winning design firms and a historic Italian printshop to ensure a premium tactile experience.

Financed through personal investment, the project serves as a direct response to the instability of legacy media models that struggled to adapt to the internet era. The founders argue that there is a viable market for high-end print products, drawing parallels to the resurgence of vinyl records. By leveraging modern distribution infrastructure while maintaining a commitment to traditional craftsmanship, the publication attempts to carve out a niche for readers who value depth and permanence over the rapid, often mediocre output characteristic of contemporary digital content cycles.