As I was fiddling around with the BtQ cover art, I found myself with a number of designs that I quite liked. Whilst pondering which one to use, it struck me that as a number of us use small-run POD for our printing we have a prime opportunity to delve into the murky waters of 90s comic madness and explore ... alternate art covers!
Now I'm not suggesting that you should have holographic, embossed, lenticular covers polybagged with a sachet of the artist's pubes. (You can stop wincing now, Paul and Jon) but rather we can offer a choice to those people that want it. We could offer an alternate art cover for the pre-order, or for playtester copies or for a special occassion?
So, for example, here are the current (shoddy jpegs of the) contenders for the cover of BTQ
The Death of Nelson Version
http://www.omnihedron.co.uk/dutyandhonour/art/cover.jpg
The Full Colour Version
http://www.omnihedron.co.uk/dutyandhonour/art/cover2.jpg
The Blue Wash (Compatible with D&H) Version
http://www.omnihedron.co.uk/dutyandhonour/art/cover3.jpg
The current thinking on my part is that cover3 will be the actual cover (to maintain the theme from the other two books) but there would seem to be no reason to say:
1. Offer some copies of cover2 on a pre-order basis? Or to playtesters?
2. As it will launch at Furnace and that con is about ten days before the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, run up some copies of the Death of Nelson version as a special 'launch day/commemorative' version.
Can anyone see any particular down-sides to this? The only one I can think of is that people might get confused about it being two different books. They would have to be quite dim to do so, but hey, its happened.
Neil
I like the idea of
Submitted by Andrew Kenrick on Tue, 04/08/2009 - 16:28.
I like the idea of collectable covers, but I'd keep one as the "main" cover - you want a consistent and recognisable look so that people will instantly recognise it when they see it online or in person.
That said, saving alternate covers for limited runs, convention specials, playtester editions and so on is a good idea.
If you'll take a spot of feedback on the covers, I really like number 3! Number 1 doesn't scream "ships!" at me, and number 2 looks a bit cluttered, what with the colour piece on colour piece. The blue on 3 is striking though - very cool.
Andrew
I am Number Three
Submitted by Neil Gow on Tue, 04/08/2009 - 19:14.
Oh yeah, Number Three is by far and away the best cover and fits in well with the style of the other two books as well. I'm considering just doing a 'Death of Nelson' version for, as you say, a special edition.
Neil
Take the King's shilling at http://www.omnihedron.co.uk/dutyandhonour/
kISS ME HARDY!
Submitted by Newt Newport on Wed, 05/08/2009 - 05:46.
Another vote for cover 3, for pretty much the same reasons Andy points out.
But I'd love the 'Death of Nelson' cover done as a limted ed. Perhaps the initial release at Furnace.
Regards
;O)Newt
D101games -An Imaginary Company
333333
Submitted by JoE PrincE on Wed, 05/08/2009 - 18:18.
Neil, your double posting madness means Hot War has not been mentioned for two threads in a row. What the hell are you thinking?!
Phew crisis averted.
I'd say just go with cover 3 since it's the bestest.
JoE
Prince of Darkness Games
Rock N' Role-Play....
And In Conclusion
Submitted by Neil Gow on Mon, 10/08/2009 - 18:43.
Thanks for your comments everyone. Much appreciated.
Cover #3 has been officially installed as the Beat to Quarters cover design and will feature on the main run of the book.
I'm aiming to launch the book officially on October 21st (thats Trafalgar Day in case you hadn't clued on!) but I will be doing a pre-release at Furnace with the special alternate 'Death of Nelson' cover to mark the anniversary of the battle.
Linking into my other thread on artwork, I'm also going to be announcing a competition soon to tell the story of that rather angry looking samoan chap! The winner will get a bundle of Omnihedron goodies and their character bio will slip into the book.
I'm also looking at putting together a full-colour map piece which will be useful for BtQ and D&H. That may well come for Furnace, if not then, deffo Dragonmeet.
Its all go!
Neil
Take the King's shilling at http://www.omnihedron.co.uk/dutyandhonour/