Monte on covers
- Thread starter Psion
- Start date
Altalazar
First Post
I actually like the new covers fine. I even like the 3.5 more than the 3.0 covers, for some reason.
But I also loved the old 1E covers. The 2E covers didn't interest me as much. They just didn't evoke as much wonder in me. The old 1E covers for PHB and DMG seemed to be the midst of interesting scenes that you had to figure out what was going on. I like the "scenes of mystery" feel to those.
But then I just love books in general - so as long as the cover isn't hedeous, I'll accept it in its own uniqueness.
But I also loved the old 1E covers. The 2E covers didn't interest me as much. They just didn't evoke as much wonder in me. The old 1E covers for PHB and DMG seemed to be the midst of interesting scenes that you had to figure out what was going on. I like the "scenes of mystery" feel to those.
But then I just love books in general - so as long as the cover isn't hedeous, I'll accept it in its own uniqueness.
I don't like the faux book covers. I think an artistic medium should recognize what it is and take advantage of that instead of trying to imitate something else. It's just gives me a cheap feeling. For me, the 3e and 3.5e covers are like the naugahyde of the rpg book cover world. It seemed like a good idea at the time...
That reminds me. When we were looking at houses to buy one of the places we looked at had a closet in which all of the shelves were covered with puffy, padded, naugahyde. Frickkin' awesome closet. Hehe.
That reminds me. When we were looking at houses to buy one of the places we looked at had a closet in which all of the shelves were covered with puffy, padded, naugahyde. Frickkin' awesome closet. Hehe.
AFGNCAAP
First Post
I'm one of those in favor of the faux covers. It helps add a little bit to the illusion for me (esp. when any of the books are left on the gaming table during play).
On a side note, I purchased a large, single volume edition of Lord of the Rings because it was a faux cover--specifically, it was designed to be reminiscent of the Red Book of Westmarch. I also picked up a similarly-bound copy of The Hobbit for the same reason (a green hardback with golden runes on the spine IIRC--don't have the books readily available).
On a side note, I purchased a large, single volume edition of Lord of the Rings because it was a faux cover--specifically, it was designed to be reminiscent of the Red Book of Westmarch. I also picked up a similarly-bound copy of The Hobbit for the same reason (a green hardback with golden runes on the spine IIRC--don't have the books readily available).
Wulf Ratbane
Adventurer
I think our Heroes of High Favor books look pretty good.
They aren't "faux" covers, though they are very clearly Photoshopped, with varying textures to call the race in question to mind.
Of course, that they are Photoshopped well doesn't hurt...
Wulf
They aren't "faux" covers, though they are very clearly Photoshopped, with varying textures to call the race in question to mind.
Of course, that they are Photoshopped well doesn't hurt...
Wulf
Wolffenjugend
First Post
In terms of cover art selling books, I can tell you this is ABSOLUTELY true. Go ask any publisher. It's a little known fact that any paperback with a swastika on the cover will outsell the same type of genre without one (and no, I'm not trying to be offensive). There's a strange fascination with the symbol in the American marketplace (go look in the war fiction section of your local bookstore - swastikas everywhere!).
Pictures do a lot to sell product; maybe not to you, but on the aggregate it does. Does crappy cover art reduce sales? I dunno, but good cover art definitely helps it. Think about it: an average joe goes into a book store and has two books he knows nothing about to choose from. He can pick the one with a cool picture on the front or the other that has no cover or a really bad one. Which do you think he'll pick (based on these facts alone)?
I definitely agree that there is something to be said for having "neutral" covers for the core rulebooks, if for no other reason that to avoid alienating potential customers from the books that form the building blocks of the entire game. But other than the core books, I'd put more emphasis on good cover art, especially when the market is now flooded with 3rd party products. Good art is a clever way to differentiate yourself in the market.
Pictures do a lot to sell product; maybe not to you, but on the aggregate it does. Does crappy cover art reduce sales? I dunno, but good cover art definitely helps it. Think about it: an average joe goes into a book store and has two books he knows nothing about to choose from. He can pick the one with a cool picture on the front or the other that has no cover or a really bad one. Which do you think he'll pick (based on these facts alone)?
I definitely agree that there is something to be said for having "neutral" covers for the core rulebooks, if for no other reason that to avoid alienating potential customers from the books that form the building blocks of the entire game. But other than the core books, I'd put more emphasis on good cover art, especially when the market is now flooded with 3rd party products. Good art is a clever way to differentiate yourself in the market.
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Psion
Adventurer
Well, speaking for myself, I see where Monte is coming from. He especially struck a chord when he talked about the old chessboard covers of Dragon.
I really appreciate when a cover gets me thinking... gets me creative... or gets me wondering. When it makes you say "I wonder who that character is" or "I can't wait to play/run that encounter" or "I want to run a game like that."
I really appreciate when a cover gets me thinking... gets me creative... or gets me wondering. When it makes you say "I wonder who that character is" or "I can't wait to play/run that encounter" or "I want to run a game like that."
Desdichado
Hero
I really appreciate a book with good artwork. I am liable to buy books for the artwork, as I'm more of a collector than a user in many ways. The books I own far outstrip the books I use, so having them be nice looking is essential.
That isn't quite so important to me for the cover, but if the book is one that I'm unfamiliar with, or what have you, then a good cover can inspire me to pick it up off the shelf and potentially buy it. A boring cover will never do that.
That isn't quite so important to me for the cover, but if the book is one that I'm unfamiliar with, or what have you, then a good cover can inspire me to pick it up off the shelf and potentially buy it. A boring cover will never do that.
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