This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Cover design for genre neutral setting. How?

Started by Sacrosanct, February 08, 2013, 11:02:31 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1 2
User actions

Sacrosanct

February 08, 2013, 11:02:31 AM
If you were to design how you would do a cover for a genre neutral book, how would you do it?

I've thought about having a group of representative characters in some scene, with some being fantasy, some being sci-fi, etc.

I've thought about doing a split image with one half fantasy and the other half sci-fi/modern characters, but the background of both images be the same so it sort of ties together.

But I admit I'm at sort of a roadblock with this one.  I wouldn't want to do something really cheesy or stupid.
D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.

Brad J. Murray

#1
February 08, 2013, 03:18:38 PM
I think covers with representative character action scenes are among the most common and weakest design choices anyone can make. Instead, especially since you're building a generic product, consider some classy minimalist design. Find some books (not games) whose design you admire and consider what they have done.

Consider the classic Traveller books, at least -- still instantly recognizable and now iconic after 40 years. Good typography and minimal -- but relevant -- graphics.

Bedrockbrendan

#2
February 08, 2013, 03:22:34 PM
I think you need something that stands out, makes people want it when looking at a one inch thumbnail online and separates you from the other games occupying a similar space in the hobby. Maybe start by identifying who your major competitors are and looking at some of their covers.

Sacrosanct

#3
February 08, 2013, 03:48:21 PM
The challenge is how to capture more than one genre in a single cover.  How do you incorporate fantasy along with sci-fi without falling into cliche circles.  Right now, the placeholder I have is very basic without any sort of scene.  This was always a placeholder, and I wanted to replace it with a more professional painted cover.  But is something like this the way to go?  I.e. generic logo-ish.

D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.

Piestrio

#4
February 08, 2013, 03:53:03 PM
I don't have any special insight but my favorite "generic" cover is GURPS 3e



I think it manages to be evocative without being cliche ("A Space Marine and a Pirate!") or bland ("Oh look, a logo").

Why it works?

Don't know.
Disclaimer: I attach no moral weight to the way you choose to pretend to be an elf.

Currently running: The Great Pendragon Campaign & DC Adventures - Timberline
Currently Playing: AD&D

Sacrosanct

#5
February 08, 2013, 04:07:11 PM
It also captures fantasy (bottom) and sci-fi (top) in one image.  That's good.
D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.

Zak S

#6
February 08, 2013, 04:24:45 PM
Covers these days only say one of two things to me:

"I have good taste ok? OK? Got it?" These tend to have a lot of graphic design, minimal imagery and don't take risks.

"This is the risk I am willing to take" These tend to have a big picture of something the game's all about.

Genre-neutral's pretty hard in that respect.

Personally I'd go with something like this:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5113dp7bBRL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
...but with more varied images in the boxes.
I won a jillion RPG design awards.

Buy something. 100% of the proceeds go toward legal action against people this forum hates.

Sacrosanct

#7
February 08, 2013, 04:45:04 PM
You know Zak, that's a really good idea.  Broken up into panels might be the way to go.
D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.

Piestrio

#8
February 08, 2013, 05:01:43 PM
Quote from: Sacrosanct;626480You know Zak, that's a really good idea.  Broken up into panels might be the way to go.

:p



Disclaimer: I attach no moral weight to the way you choose to pretend to be an elf.

Currently running: The Great Pendragon Campaign & DC Adventures - Timberline
Currently Playing: AD&D

The Traveller

#9
February 08, 2013, 05:29:25 PM
Quote from: Brad J. Murray;626433I think covers with representative character action scenes are among the most common and weakest design choices anyone can make. Instead, especially since you're building a generic product, consider some classy minimalist design. Find some books (not games) whose design you admire and consider what they have done.
I'd agree with this. Go abstract, think "flag" or "crest" rather than representation. Brand it with something memorable, and leave the specifics of genres out or maybe faded into the background at most.
"These children are playing with dark and dangerous powers!"
"What else are you meant to do with dark and dangerous powers?"
A concise overview of GNS theory.
Quote from: that muppet vince baker on RPGsIf you care about character arcs or any, any, any lit 101 stuff, I\'d choose a different game.

arminius

#10
February 08, 2013, 06:31:57 PM
The Traveller design worked because its minimalism was itself science-fictiony.

I agree that panels are good. Don't go with a unified image unless it clearly progresses in a manner that suggests movement through genres (like the GURPS 3e cover) rather than a sort of dimension-crossing game, which is its own genre.

Otherwise, you might be able to have an image, especially an exotic cityscape, which would fit in multiple genres. A lot of science fiction book covers have this sort of thing.

Sacrosanct

#11
February 12, 2013, 01:12:37 PM
OK, so based on feedback, what about something like this:

D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.

Zak S

#12
February 12, 2013, 03:10:44 PM
Quote from: Sacrosanct;627572OK, so based on feedback, what about something like this:

I think the individual images should be less zoomed-out.
I won a jillion RPG design awards.

Buy something. 100% of the proceeds go toward legal action against people this forum hates.

Catelf

#13
February 12, 2013, 03:13:57 PM
I think it looks good.
I may not dislike D&D any longer, but I still dislike the Chaos-Lawful/Evil-Good alignment system, as well as the level system.
;)
________________________________________

Link to my wip Ferals 0.8 unfinished but playable on pdf on MediaFire for free download here :
https://www.mediafire.com/?0bwq41g438u939q

Sacrosanct

#14
February 12, 2013, 03:22:11 PM
Quote from: Zak S;627605I think the individual images should be less zoomed-out.

So crop and zoom in, if I'm understanding correctly?
D&D is not an "everyone gets a ribbon" game.  If you\'re stupid, your PC will die.  If you\'re an asshole, your PC will die (probably from the other PCs).  If you\'re unlucky, your PC may die.  Point?  PC\'s die.  Get over it and roll up a new one.
Print
Go Up Pages1 2
User actions