What was so magical about 1E/OD&D art?

[Geron Raveneye]

Me 3!

The writers of 3E seemed to afraid to put some personality in thier writing (compared to Gygax's witty and enthusiastic 1E pros). Possibly for marketing reasons, or possibly because they were boring stiffs. Sure 3E is easier to understand, but it lacks machismo.

You know, I actually admire you for the brass to open one can of worms inside an already open one. I wonder how long it is before the folks that find Gary Gygax' writing style overly verbose, convoluted and counterintuitive pipe up here. Because, you see, writing is just another form of art, and as such...just like illustrations...victim to highly subjective tastes.

Excuse me while I go over there to the trenches and duck for cover.

 

[tx7321]

You know, I actually admire you for the brass to open one can of worms inside an already open one. I wonder how long it is before the folks that find Gary Gygax' writing style overly verbose, convoluted and counterintuitive pipe up here. Because, you see, writing is just another form of art, and as such...just like illustrations...victim to highly subjective tastes.

Excuse me while I go over there to the trenches and duck for cover.

I actually agree Gary is all those things (verbose, convoluted and counterintuitive) in his writing style....but, (in my best William Shatner)...."he is...oh so much more".

 

[Emirikol]

Because, you see, writing is just another form of art, and as such...just like illustrations...victim to highly subjective tastes.Excuse me while I go over there to the trenches and duck for cover.

Sure, there are highly subjective tastes out there, but that doesn't mean that there aren't POPULAR TASTES.

You must cater to the largest group of people. If people liked Gary's stuff, he'd still be selling..but he's not.

The same can be said for LARRY ELMORE. Time has come and gone. (He's not dead yet is he?)

jh

 

[Maggan]

Is there anyone on these boards who works in advertising?

Yes. Is there any special reason for you asking?

/M

 

[Maggan]

If people liked Gary's stuff, he'd still be selling..but he's not.

Heh ... someone's gonna take you to task for that statement, trust me!

/M

 

[Maggan]

I actually agree Gary is all those things (verbose, convoluted and counterintuitive) in his writing style....but, (in my best William Shatner)...."he is...oh so much more".

Well, when it comes to this particular subject, IMO, less is more.

/M

 

[Klaus]

Sure, there are highly subjective tastes out there, but that doesn't mean that there aren't POPULAR TASTES.

You must cater to the largest group of people. If people liked Gary's stuff, he'd still be selling..but he's not.

The same can be said for LARRY ELMORE. Time has come and gone. (He's not dead yet is he?)

jh

No, he isn't. He's doing just fine, and selling his books with lots of women in them!

God bless him!

 

[Raven Crowking]

Yes. Is there any special reason for you asking?

Of course. Someone in the advertising industry would be in a good position to critique my statements directly following that question in my previous post.

Speaking of messages in art, wasn't there a Dragon issue during the lead-up to 3e that mentioned the 3.0 art, and specifically that it was intended to carry at least one message ("This isn't your daddy's DND" or something like that)?


RC

 

[Raven Crowking]

Raven: I'm just going to disagree with you.

Your right, of course.

I whole heartedly agree that the 3e PHB needs some new art.

Well, that's something.

But, that the art gives the message that the players are "special snowflakes" moreso than the 1e PHB is silly. There's far too many pics, including the Paladin in Hell, and the cover of the 1e PHB that show that the PC's are the heroes and that they will prevail.

As a fairly simple test of this theory, how many pictures in the 1e PHB show the PCs triumphing, and how many show the PCs in potentially serious straits? Which pictures do you include in each? What is, therefore, the ratio of triumph to danger?

Now, do the same thing with the 3.0 PHB.

If the numbers are the same, and you can adequately defend your choice of pictures, then I will gladly admit that I am wrong in my surmise.

True, I could definitely see some pics of the iconics getting their asses handed to them in the PHB. That would be great.

Why would that be great if the ratio is already the same as in the 1e PHB? What would those pics add?


RC

 

[tx7321]

Sure, there are highly subjective tastes out there, but that doesn't mean that there aren't POPULAR TASTES.

You must cater to the largest group of people. If people liked Gary's stuff, he'd still be selling..but he's not.

The same can be said for LARRY ELMORE. Time has come and gone. (He's not dead yet is he?)

jh

Well, Gygax today isn't really doing the same kind of thing he did back in the 70s, so its not really fair to say that. I wonder if Gary published short 1E dungeons on his own (or for GG or OSRIC) if they'd sell. I bet he would make a killing. Imagine limited editions.
$$$ $$$ It'd be great to get some of the old artists to do his cover and interior....or maybe some of the new artists working in the old school style.

But, sadly, I know this will never happen. :\