Bastion... in color??

[Pramas]

We did an 8-page color map insert in Hell in Freeport that looked great. That was August, 2001. And of course, Mutants & Masterminds is full color and the supplements will be as well. I'm hoping to give Dragon Fist deluxe color treatment too.

In an ideal world, sure, it'd be great to do everything in color, but the art itself costs more and so does the printing. It's just doesn't make financial sense in all cases to take on that additional expense.

 

[Havilor]

Originally posted by Crothian

Who's the publisher?

You may have seen the add for it in Dragon. From Stone to Steel. I believe it was in the last issue, but I'm not sure. Across from What's New (rather a stark contrast from Foglio's art).

My project can be found at http://www.monkeygodenterprises.com/stone.htm

The art selection they have up there is okay (I particularly like the first pic on the left, since it shows some of the level of detail [items are Tlingit Slat Armor and Inuit Whalebone Plate]), but that's all stuff from early on in the book. I had a chance to visit the publisher on Thursday and the Mountain Pattern Scale was exquisite.

And it doesn't need color.

 

[Alzrius]

I just want to step off-topic for a moment (forgive me) to say that I'm looking forward to seeing From Stone to Steel quite a bit. I really enjoy equipment books (Bastion's Arms & Armor was top-notch (especially with that color interior art), making me glad I got it free with when I renewed my subscription to Dragon), and this one looks like it will nicely compliment Ravenloft since the Cultural Levels in that demi-plane range from Stone Age to Renaissance.

Now back to your regularly scheduled topic.

 

[Jim Butler]

Just wondering, why are Bastion Press's books the only ones with color in the interior art? I thought that only WOTC could do that. Do they have some special agreement?

Azzemmell

Full-color products is something anyone can do (well, as long as they pay the artists and foot the higher print costs). I first chose to do full-color products because I didn't leave WotC until after the d20 boom had started, so I was at a bit of a disadvantage as far as being one of many publishers.

I still believe full-color products can better capture the imaginations of gamers (versus black & white products). It was a battle I fought long and hard inside WotC with the Forgotten Realms line, and it ultimately went to full-color products.

Will we continue to do full-color products? Most likely. I've debated the idea internally about whether a black & white product would sell as well as a color one would... but it's not an experiment I want to run right now.

 

[Jim Butler]

Hmm, I think its more of a cost thing then anything. To do full color books is prohibitively expensive. I think Bastion products are usually $10 more then other D20 products of comprable size(rough guesstimate, YMMV). Wizards gets away with it because their products sell way more then the average D20 product(even their "bombs") and can make up the cost a little.

We price ourselves $5 higher than the same-sized black & white WotC product. Most of our books have been 96 pages, and have been priced at $24.95.

 

[thundershot]

Yes, and you keep doing that, Jim. IMO, it really adds to the overall package. Just like having a hardcover. That's major plus to me, and Oathbound is one of the greatest books out there. It's color. It's hardback. And it has some of the best content out of any d20 book out there!

I'd gladly pay an extra 5 bucks for color (and slick paper) FFG, Mongoose, or Green Ronin books (the primary companies I purchase from).


Chris

 

[Azzemmell]

I have to add my voice to Thundershot's. I buy Bastion stuff because they have good content AND they have color. Virtually all of the other publishers that do non-hardback stuff don't use color. I am very willing to pay an extra 5$ for color. It DOES make a difference. (Although, it obviously can't replace good content).

 

[Ghostwind]

One of the other reasons why Bastion prefers color will become obvious to anyone who sees their latest release, Oathbound: Plains of Penance. The full-page color artwork in their is absolutely stunning and something that no black & white art could match in my opinion. There are several full page spreads that are simply fantastic in that book...

 

[MEG Hal]

One of the other reasons why Bastion prefers color will become obvious to anyone who sees their latest release, Oathbound: Plains of Penance. The full-page color artwork in their is absolutely stunning and something that no black & white art could match in my opinion. There are several full page spreads that are simply fantastic in that book...

Bastion is a great company to look at for standards and quality, just take a look at Oathbound or Arms and Armor. They have some great stuff.

Although we do have one advantage over Bastion.....my charming looks and my small badge .

 

[Ghostwind]

Although we do have one advantage over Bastion.....my charming looks and my small badge .

And what a small badge it is... very small...