I'm really excited to show of some artwork from Storn Cook.  It's only a couple pieces, but Storn is an amazing character artist and we're really grateful to have his talent illustrating Sixcess Core.  

Storn's Site

I've also made a few updates to the Sixcess Core Kickstarter.  We're really close to our first stretch goal, where we add page-count, new races and increase the art-count, too.  

Here's one of the more elaborate pieces that Storn created for us:



I'm curious what you all think of artwork's place in the RPG product.  We had an interesting discussion last night about this topic -- and it's clear that we think art is important -- but it was part of our discussion about putting out the expense to produce a 6x9 layout.  It can have repurcussions on the artwork. What if a 6x9 book had a reduce art count and simpler art?  Would that be a good thing or a bad thing?

I think it's best for the artwork to convey information from the game - illustrating equipment or what an alien looks like.

But good art is, well, good art, and worth buying in its own right. It certain adds to the value of a game book for me (and so many games have bad art).

Personally I'm not so bothered by art in an rpg book - I buy a book for the system, and to a far lesser extent fluff. I'd be perfectly happy with no art, or even bad art, if the book will deliver at the table. Good art's nice to look at, but it's not vital for me - I get enthused by the posibilities and potential of the book, rather than by looking at pictures.

That said, if a setting say is something new (non-vanila fantasy, has unique horror monsters, probably any kind of SF setting) then a clear picture of what a Fulumph looks like, or what a standard warrior looks like in that weird living armour that's detailed in the rules - well, that can be useful.

AND if the art shows a character shooting two goons in the face with a pistol in each hand, while performing an acrobatic vault between roof tops, then the rules should support such action. Otherwise players get pissed off.

I like artwork in RPGs.  For me, the artwork stimulates my imagination.  I remember flipping through the WEG Star Wars game and developing adventure after adventure, just by looking at the B&W line art in the books.  

Artwork, for me, at least, stimulates my creativity.  I'm a very visual person.  

Reading dry rules that can be likened to an accounting textbook is incredibly boring.  

Liven it up with some fun anecdotes, a witty turn of phrase and a picture of a big-breasted woman on a dragon and you've caught my attention!

...AND I now have the visual feast to feed my imagination and create something new.

My interest in knowing others' perspective stems from a need to make a decision about what to put into a potential 6x9 format for Sixcess Core.  We're weighing the decision to reduce the artwork in that version, both to limit page-count and because some people prefer a reduced set in smaller format anyway.  

I would be happy to entertain your perspectives on this.