Do Superlatives work on you any more?

[Berandor]

I think superlatives are the best option to excite me, ever.

But seriously, I always roll my eyes at the qualified superlatives people throw around: "This is the best center since Shaqueel O'Neal", "The funniest comedy since 40-year-old virgin", "The best sci-fi this side of Star Wars", etc. The same with name-calling: "It's Spielberg Meets Joe Black", or "The next Grisham!"

"It's good" is a qualifier I'd be perfectly happy with. Why aren't the marketing execs?

 

[Berandor]

That's about where I am now...

I still recall Gene Shalit's quote about The Truman Show, "...one of the finest movies of our time, maybe of all time..."

I mean come on!

Hey, now, Truman show is cool!

 

[Starman]

Because you are wise, and you are handsome, and you sing well too!

Why, thank you. I knew there was a reason I believed everything.

 

[mythusmage]

I don't go for hyped stuff. But then I'm not the target audience. There's always somebody out there who'll fall for it.

I ever get it done (procrastinator that I am) my book of kobolds would be advertised thusly.

Kobolds: A small book on a small subject. You have any interest in them this could give you ideas. Read what the reviewers had to say ...

"Damn, he finally finished it." Teflon Billy

"You probably could do the grunt work yourself, but who has the time?" Crothian

"It's nice, but he has this obsession with Palatino." Mark CMG

Kobold, you'll have it longer than that happy meal.

 

[Berandor]

I don't go for hyped stuff. But then I'm not the target audience. There's always somebody out there who'll fall for it.

I ever get it done (procrastinator that I am) my book of kobolds would be advertised thusly.

And you know, something thusly advertised would have my money for sure.

 

[boredgremlin]

Like the Extreme Explorer prestige class from the Eberron Campaign Setting? I've always felt that was the worst and most unimaginative name ever for a prestige class.

Back to the topic: Well, I don't really think any of those superlatives worked for me. Every product has to advertise itself as something cool, otherwise nobody will ever take notice, so I can't really blame anyone for using those words. If it isn't the most revolutionizing title to date then why would the company ever make it, if they just advertised something along the lines: "This book may be useful for DMs, if they're into alternative magic systems. Otherwise, you should just go find another product. We're not even trying anymore, okay!"

Lol they should say that because its honesty and honesty is good. You would think the company that created the palidan would at least hope to live up to it one day. The fact is that all the splat books are crap and if you spend even one day a week on your own campaign you can most likely do better then any of them.

Want an enviroment? Buy a splatbook? Hell no. Do a google search or read some national geographic about that terrain type and write up your own stuff. It will be better.

Companies sell splat books for lazy DM's and gamers. Nothing more.

 

[Pseudonym]

Like the Extreme Explorer prestige class from the Eberron Campaign Setting? I've always felt that was the worst and most unimaginative name ever for a prestige class.

Yeah, we just call it the explorer in our games. Otherwise it just calls to mind some mid-90's ESPN2 throwback.

In much the same vein, it's why I never even looked at Pandahead's Xcrawl, which may well be The Best RPG Ever! (to get back to the original theme); I just couldn't get past the name.

 

[francisca]

Hey, now, Truman show is cool!

That doesn't make Gene Shalit any less of a loon.

 

[Henry]

Actually, what intrigues me nowadays, is the comparative. Any product that described itself as "pretty good" or "Not bad" I'm more likely to give a try out of curiosity.

 

[Romnipotent]

The most spectacular buzzword this season!