D&D 4E I really don't like the new 4E PHB cover

[Nebulous]

Emphasis on the point why it probably Wouldn't be a good 4e cover. I understand the thinking: "Traditional" is how you capture a market of over-20's and up; non-traditional is how you attract teens and 20's to look at your product.

I agree that this *exact* cover wouldn't be appropriate for the times, but the style...yes. Replace the warrior with a dragonborn, and the human gal with a tiefling warlock, and you got a win. For me, anyway.

 

[Wolfspider]

non-traditional is how you attract teens and 20's to look at your product.

How is the look of D&D 4e non-traditional?

I think that by making so many changes (in terms of art and fluff) D&D is in fact losing its unique identity and becoming more generic.

 

[Wolfspider]

D&D *has* to assert its own identity over other iconic fantasy. It's essential to keep the brand alive. Can you imagine the noise this board would be making if the cover had a blonde elven ranger sliding down a dragon's tail while shooting arrows in its face?

It seems to me that D&D 4e is not asserting its own identity, the one that has been established over the past 30 years. It is trying to create a whole new identity.

 

[Wolfspider]

I like it. Nice and actiony

Where's the action?

 

[Bagpuss]

If this had been the cover (assuming no one had ever seen it), do you think there would be as much complaining?

http://www.med.unc.edu/~saasha/random/teamwork.jpg

I'd complain it's go a very dated look to it, cartoon like colouring.

 

[Zinegata]

Emphasis on the point why it probably Wouldn't be a good 4e cover. I understand the thinking: "Traditional" is how you capture a market of over-20's and up; non-traditional is how you attract teens and 20's to look at your product.

Not really. The Lord of the Rings is about as traditional as it gets, and it was a pretty huge box-office success. Harry Potter doesn't really introduce much to the traditional Wizards and Witches tropes (except perhaps for Quidditch), and yet it's also a huge worldwide hit.

I think Hollywood, for years, has consistently tried to make the public think that non-traditional is how you can attract teens and people in their 20s (i.e. MTV). Yet, the latest American Generational Studies show that the latest teens and young adults aren't looking at MTV for role models. The people they actually respect the most are their grandparents - the World War 2 "Greatest Generation" types who are all about traditional values and simple living.

In short, traditionalism actually sells. D&D is one such product that would benefit more from emphasizing its traditions, rather than attempting to chase the lead of other RPGs who have established themselves as the "new and cutting edge" ones.

 

[Wolfspider]

Not really. The Lord of the Rings is about as traditional as it gets, and it was a pretty huge box-office success. Harry Potter doesn't really introduce much to the traditional Wizards and Witches tropes (except perhaps for Quidditch), and yet it's also a huge worldwide hit.

I think Hollywood, for years, has consistently tried to make the public think that non-traditional is how you can attract teens and people in their 20s (i.e. MTV). Yet, the latest American Generational Studies show that the latest teens and young adults aren't looking at MTV for role models. The people they actually respect the most are their grandparents - the World War 2 "Greatest Generation" types who are all about traditional values and simple living.

In short, traditionalism actually sells. D&D is one such product that would benefit more from emphasizing its traditions, rather than attempting to chase the lead of other RPGs who have established themselves as the "new and cutting edge" ones.

Well said.

 

[Quartz]

Take another look at the cover: if you weren't a roleplayer, would you buy it for your 12-year old nephew or grandson? I think not.

 

[Maggan]

If this had been the cover (assuming no one had ever seen it), do you think there would be as much complaining?

Yep.

Putting any picture on the cover will generate complaints. There are simply too many diverse tastes and opinions out there for a cover not to generate a certain amount of complaints. IMO of course.

That's why I thought it was a cool idea for 3rd edition not to have pictures on the covers. For a while, at least. Then it grew a bit tired.

/M

 

[Zinegata]

Take another look at the cover: if you weren't a roleplayer, would you buy it for your 12-year old nephew or grandson? I think not.

Depends really. Again, I credit Peter Jackson and JK Rowling for showing that heroic fantasy is more about "fighting for what's good and right in this world", and that's it's not always just an offshoot of the mindless violence action flicks.

However, I will note that the dragonborn may seem a bit too monstrous to be attractive for parents.