Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

There is one area where presentation is really important and it is an area where you bring in new customers - LICENSED BOOKS.

I think it would be great to do a GURPS Hellboy update for 4e with shots from the movies (the past one and the upcoming one whenever it comes out) as well as artwork from the comic. Of course, this means timing production to coincide with the movie. It also means there will be more expenses, but it would definitely get a much greater exposure for GURPS.

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

I'm a brand new consumer of GURPS - never before had any dealings with SJG, or any of it's products.

Whatever that may mean :) (already my opion should be someone suspect, 'cause I'm one of those who actually participate on forums, unlike the vast majority)

I purchased basic set sight unseen, based on my desire to find something new that was different from D20 OGL sameness. This was an online purchase, from a Canadian book store and I only had the cover images to go off of. I decided to go with GURPS because I wanted crunchy and I wanted lots of timely releases. and reviews seemed to be generally positive.

Getting the books, and flipping though it, I was struck by just how NOT like other RP books this one seemed to be. Very colourful, though in a primary colour sort of way. The pictures felt retro for me. I thought immediatly that GURPS must really focus on the pulp fiction aspect of story telling - be it mystery or fantasy, or sci-fi.. The front cover art was so-so, but I really liked the stark black background colour. Nothing on my shelf even comes close to this.

Today I went to a FLGS to pick up a GM Screen (advise from another thread), and there was a wall of RP Books. all the spines seemed to be white, tan, shades of brown, with gold lettering - otherwise known as "safe" styling in RP hard cover books I think.

But waaaaaay down there, on the bottom shelf, part of the floor even, tucked away in the farthest corner where these 7 or 8 thicker than average hard back books which were pure black with this very contrasting bold text saying BASIC SET CHARACTERS, or BASIC SET CAMPAIGN etc. it stuck out like a sore thumb. I saw them immediatly as I was browsing the shelf, and just by the spine, they looked like nothing else on the shelf.

That's got to be worth something?!?!

I agree, if you don't know what GURPS is (like me) and don't take the time to research, then looking at these books for the very first time might be taken aback by it's design.

I'm growing to like it very much, I like how different these books are from all my other books.

someone else above made a really great point about coming up with Lite versions of some of the core books. I feel utterly daunted, adn that would be a great idea. Use the lite version as the gateway drug. Give it to them cheep, give it to them with lots of splash, get them hooked so that by the next time the addiction needs to be sated, the 'feel' or 'look' of the non-lite volumes matters less than if you are a brand new consumer.

Sorry for the ramble.

cheers,

J.

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

To the OP:
Personally... I don't think it's a sign that SJG needs better art. Sure, a few more people would buy it.

Mostly, the books with GREAT art that I've seen were lacking in even fair content. Those books to my exp get bought, the pictures scanned, a few half hearted attempts to play, then they're on the used bookstore shelf or ebay.

I for one don't think much of a system that has a large number of in print books being sold on ebay or used book store shelves that are "hardly used" and look like they were opened 4 times. Many of the pretty game books I've seen fit this.

GURPS doesn't sell heavily, but it sells a product that sells itself. GURPS books are very rare on ebay, and the ones that are are well used, have been repaired many times, and ... well.... basically it's like finding a 1e AD&D book on ebay... it's obvious they've just moved on and don't NEED the book anymore and are freeing shelf space for a new hobby/genre/whatever.

I'd much rather spend my $35 - $40 on a coherent, fun and unbroken game than one that is flashy.

Besides, I think the overall effect of all my 4e books on their shelf looks kinda cool.

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

I was very disappointed by all the Poser art in GURPS Magic. Even if they were prepared by different artists, there was a boring sameness to the pictures because they were all so uniform. Something painted, something drawn would have made it more interesting than just everything Posed.

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

I would have to put myself in the "other" camp of GURPS fans. When I heard that 4th edition was to be all hardbound, I was ecstatic! I want my rulebooks sturdy and to last! I've been wondering though, when you look at the huge amount of third edition sourcebooks out there, one has to imagine at least some of them will be reprinted. I can't imagine they wont be converted to fourth (at least, I hope they will) - but I wonder if its necessary for all sourcebooks to be hardbound. Rule books like High Tech, Bestiary, Vehicles, Space etc, yes - but not sure Spec Ops or Old West could support a complete harbound volume...any way, kudos to SJG for going the Hardback route.

And, yes, I too am guilty of buying RPG's based on their covers....I bought Dark Conspiracy by GDW based on its cover....

To the folks about specialized GURPS Lite to tempt the masses...isn't that what GURPS for Dummies is for? And yes, I hate the paper that GURPS Lite is printed on! Might be nice to have a nicely done GURPS LIte with soft covers as mentioned before available for retailers to carry and set on the counter as a cheap last minute impulse buy.

George

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

It looks like reprints are going to be e23 only for the most part.

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

ooo, Heather Bruton... Also Sandra SanTara, if she'd be interested: http://windwolf.com/ ...

EDIT: Just in case anyone thinks I have an "in" with the art people... Nah, not really. I just saw Sandra's stuff at Arisia recently.

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

I'm still a little unclear on what GURPS for Dummies will actually contain. However it does look promising and cheap. :)

Anyhow, I just miss the old days when Fantasy, Horror, Autoduel, and Horse Clans were all under $15. Well that and I think a specialized rules subset is a good thing to have as a handout.

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

Personally, I enjoy the look of the 4E Characters and Campaigns books. They are easy to read, lots and lots of info, and the artwork is decent. One problem I have is that the other 4E books look exactly the same. To me, it makes Magic, and Infinite Worlds and so on feel sterile, because they all look identical. Also, I do enjoy varied artwork, although that is not necessary. I just recently got my hands on the Transhuman Space book. It is the most beautiful, gorgeous, stunning roleplaying book I have ever seen. The artwork is just amazing, especially the cover. It gives the setting a feel that seems to me to be lacking in many of the 4E releases.

Re: GURPS/4E... could be more attractive?
 

The art isn't actually bad as such, I think. Just a bit plain.

Seems computer-coloured to me. Perhaps drawn on a digital tablet too? If so, I think the artist hasn't really been using the medium to the full. There's some amazing stuff you can do with a digital tablet and a bit of experimentation - like this guy: http://poisondlo.deviantart.com/