Wherefore the Lords of Madness?

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Does anyone else find it funny that a lot of the old threads had people calling the old cover horrible...now, when it gets changed, more people say they liked the old one? Ahhh, the internet.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Does anyone else find it funny that a lot of the old threads had people calling the old cover horrible...now, when it gets changed, more people say they liked the old one? Ahhh, the internet.

Were they the same people, though? If not, I'm not sure why this is surprising.

 

[The_Universe]

Like the new cover, old title. If they wanted to add some stuff to the new coverm and make it a wrap-around, I'd be ok with that, too...

Now that I think about it, though, Codex Anathema was a little odd, since Anathema is specific type of Yuan Ti....



I suppose there's still time for them to bend to my particular whims!

 

[LiKral]

I never heard of "Codex Anathema" but the new name and illustration caught my eye instantly on the front page of EnWorld. I'd say it was a positive marketing decision!

 

[Ferret]

I don't think I've seen the original cover, does anyone have it?

I think I prefer it with some kind of border, but thats just comparing it against the other monster books.

 

[johnnype]

They addressed the name change on the WotC message boards. It had to do with the fact that book shops did not like the old title because they felt it did not tell them what the book was about. You and I know what Codex Anathema means (sort of) but ask the average non-gamer (as most bookshop managers are) and they won't have a clue. Their confusion translates into smaller orders and thus fewer sales. Never mind the fact that bookstore managers are not the target audience or that the target audience does indeed know what the book is about and wants to buy it. Confusion on the part of the store owners is not good for sales. Hence the name change.

As far as the change in cover art, allow me to express my gratitute to the powers that be at WotC. The old Baxa art was horrendous. The new art is much, much better. And maybe I'm in the minority here but I couldn't care less about whether it's wrap around art or not. Just as long as it's not that hideous piece by Baxa I'll be happy.

 

[JoeGKushner]

New cover is sweet.

New name is mundane and can be confused for something from Eberron.

Ah well.

 

[Turanil]

They addressed the name change on the WotC message boards. It had to do with the fact that book shops did not like the old title because they felt it did not tell them what the book was about. You and I know what Codex Anathema means (sort of) but ask the average non-gamer (as most bookshop managers are) and they won't have a clue.

Perfectly agreed on this point. "Codes Anathema" is harder to pronounce, and less comprehensible than a straight and simple "Lord of Madness". I say they changed the title for marketing reasons, and were right to do so (frankly, I prefer Lords of Madness).

Now: does anyone know what's inside this book? It looks like something I could buy. Since I already have "Serpents Kingdom" and was considering a Mind-flayers against Serpent Folk campaign (with humans in between), this book looks the right one to buy...

 

[Pants]

I much prefer the new cover to the old one. I like Baxa's art, but I did not like that cover at all. Wraparound or not, the new one is better IMO.

Now: does anyone know what's inside this book? It looks like something I could buy. Since I already have "Serpents Kingdom" and was considering a Mind-flayers against Serpent Folk campaign (with humans in between), this book looks the right one to buy...

From the blurb (and the old and new cover), Beholders, Mind Flayers, and Aboleths get some nice special treatment. I also heard that the Grells might get their own chapter in the book.

 

[Knight Otu]

From the blurb (and the old and new cover), Beholders, Mind Flayers, and Aboleths get some nice special treatment. I also heard that the Grells might get their own chapter in the book.

The grell bit was from one of the mini previews. I think it's save to say that they will indeed get their own chapter.

Oh, and I like the new cover, and I liked the old title. However, the new title isn't that inappropriate. While most aberrations certainly aren't lords, the most iconic ones (and those are the ones getting mayor treatment in the book) are.