OSR OSR logos


log in or register to remove this ad

I know which one not to use. The Stuart Robertson logo (the one that looks like a little dungeon map spelling out "OSR") was released under a CC license, but some objectionable people started using it to promote objectionable content, so he asked that people not use it at all anymore. So, out of respect for the creator, I'd avoid that one.
 
Last edited:

I know which one not to use. The Stuart Roberson logo (the one that looks like a little dungeon map spelling out "OSR") was released under a CC license, but some objectionable people started using it to promote objectionable content, so he asked that people not use it at all anymore. So, out of respect for the creator, I'd avoid that one.
That was a clever one, too.

I pity the folks who got tattoos of it, which I've seen pictures of online.
 

Do you think it's worth including an OSR logo on (online) publications? If so, do you have a recommended free-to-use one?
I don't generally use one (most of my stuff is for DCC RPG and I use those logos), but when I have I used this one. It's free, and it looks like this:

R.J. Thompson OSR_For_All.png

You can get it at DTRPG Here:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/305054/osr-for-all-logo
 

I know which one not to use. The Stuart Roberson logo (the one that looks like a little dungeon map spelling out "OSR") was released under a CC license, but some objectionable people started using it to promote objectionable content, so he asked that people not use it at all anymore. So, out of respect for the creator, I'd avoid that one.
That's a pity, I like that one. But this is going to be the problem with whatever logo we prefer - if it's not licensed then silly and/or malign people will use it to their own ends. In fact, even if it's licensed people will ignore any copyrights unless the owner is prepared to litigate. I think a logo is a brilliant idea but I have no idea how to prevent it being abused.
AND for my money the one proposed by GM Lent above is perfect - I am going to start adding it to my pubs I think (I have a new monster manual, Beasts of Barnaynia, due out soon); although the font in the "for all" logo jars with me, I think just the Rainbow OSR is enough - it's OSR, which is great, and the rainbow part is, well, if you know, you know.
 


Now that you mention it, I can't recall the last time I saw a generic OSR logo on anything I've bought... Most just say it with plain text or have a cool unique logo.

Personally, I'd take the corner banner route myself:
View attachment 414180
View attachment 414181
I put the logos of the two main OSR versions that I work with, plus our company logo, obv.
 

Attachments

  • SM20 The Ruined City v1.png
    SM20 The Ruined City v1.png
    483.9 KB · Views: 18

The most OSR logo is to just write "OSR" in sharpie marker on the cover. I am joking ... sort of. OSR isn't a brand, and while I like Robinson's old logo well enough (as well as Dyson Logos' Raccoon logo ...) it sort of feels contrary to the whole ethos to brandify/commodify the conceptual space of the OSR...

Of course that ship has long sailed...

I use the wererat on the left as my brand logo.
 


I put the logos of the two main OSR versions that I work with, plus our company logo, obv.
I think this is also good practice.

I hate to admit it, but when I see a common OSR logo I immediately loose a bit of interest. At a time of oversaturation, the last thing you want is to seem generic. This goes with adding too many systems on it too. If you have Shadowdark, PF2E, OSE, and 5E on your cover, I'm skipping right over it. There's certainly a chance you managed to balance your product for all those systems, but my first reaction is to seriously doubt it.
 

Remove ads

Top