"Monte Cook Presents" Iron Heroes?

[Akrasia]

Why the "Monte Cook Presents" in the title?

Why not just call it "Iron Heroes"?

Isn't Mike Mearls the author?

This looks rather vain and crass, IMO.

I'm tempted to take a pass on this book for this reason alone, as this kind of needless self-promotion strikes me as exceedingly vulgar ...

:\

 

[Glyfair]

I can think of a lot of reasons. The bottom line, however, is probably because it will give it more attention and help it sell more books. Monte Cook is probably one of the few names in the roleplaying industry who could but his name on a product and sell more copies.

Shortly after Quentin Tarantino released Pulp Fiction, he had a company that released a number of videotapes under a "Quentin Tarantino presents..." heading. These were smaller, often foreign, movies he liked and wanted to see get more attention. This will probably work similiarly (although certainly not on the same scale).

Certainly, there are differences. For one, it's Monte's company putting out the book. Monte likely had some input into the design of the book at some level (even if it was just a brainstorming session for the idea of the book).

Still, I'll wager it's just a matter of "this book deserves more attention, and will get it if I put my name on it).

 

[Akrasia]

... The bottom line, however, is probably because it will give it more attention and help it sell more books. ...

I don't deny that.

I just find that vulgar and crass. :\

(The arrogance is a sure turn-off in my case.)

[I am venting here ... ]

 

[Jupp]

AFAIK Iron Lore comes out from Malhavoc Press. MP is the company of Monte Cook so I see absolutely no reason not to write "Monte Cook Presents" on the cover. It's neither vulgar nor does it look crass or vain. It's called advertising and if this is the only reason that you wont buy that book (which is somehow doubtfull) i think I cannot help you Normall I buy books or reject them because of their content, not on what is written on the cover But other people may have different mindsets...

 

[philreed]

It's just marketing. I wouldn't put too much thought into it.

 

[Akrasia]

... It's neither vulgar nor does it look crass or vain. It's called advertising ...

Heh ...

 

[S'mon]

S'funny, I have nothing against Monte but if it has his name on it I think super-duper-OTT-magic hackfest - and I don't buy it.

 

[Gez]

It's neither vulgar nor does it look crass or vain. It's called advertising

I'll echo Akrasia's laugh, for advertising is the textbook definition of vulgarity and crassness.

The "What's-his-name McFamousPerson Presents" thing is more often seen on books, movies, series, etc. In an RPG, it's a novelty, AFAIK.

Of course, there's the precedent of Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed. Not Arcana Unearthed but Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed. At that time, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought it was just a way to avoid too many confusions with Unearthed Arcana.

It strikes me as seriously inflated ankles. No offense meant, but if Monte is famous in the hard-core D&D nerd crowd, he's no Gary Gygax or Mark Rein "Insert Any Symbol But A Hyphen" Hagen. That said, since his target audience is hard-core D&D nerds, it may work.

 

[FireLance]

Gary Gygax I know, and Monte Cook I know; but who is Mark Rein "Insert Any Symbol But A Hyphen" Hagen?

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Gary Gygax I know, and Monte Cook I know; but who is Mark Rein "Insert Any Symbol But A Hyphen" Hagen?

He's the one who created the World of Darkness.