Player's Book: Cover Art

[robject]

If you're the sort of person who likes to think about these things, what do you think would make good cover art for a Traveller Player's Book?

Hopefully you'll think of something that I haven't.

 

[robject]

Feel free to suggest one-two punches: for example, the cover has the Beowulf getting disabled by a Corsair, then the inside cover and facing page has a full spread of the resulting boarding action, humans vs. Vargr.

 

[David Johansen]

I like the classic black with a red line and I'd stick to it.

But if not, I'd go with a free trader crew off-loading cargo and dealing with some weird aliens.

 

[agorski]

I like the classic black with a red line and I'd stick to it.

But if not, I'd go with a free trader crew off-loading cargo and dealing with some weird aliens.

I think the classic black would look great on a hardcover with cover art on the paper slipcover, like The Traveller Book.

I agree that a Player's book cover art should feature characters, not starships.

 

[inexorabletash]

Please, just no renders of a Barbie doll with vapid stare in spandex next to a Ken doll in power armor, both posed as if they've forgotten how to balance in 1G.

 

[pshrynk]

Please, just no renders of a Barbie doll with vapid stare in spandex next to a Ken doll in power armor, both posed as if they've forgotten how to balance in 1G.

Well there goes my suggestion!

 

[coliver988]

I like the classic black with a red line and I'd stick to it.

But if not, I'd go with a free trader crew off-loading cargo and dealing with some weird aliens.

As much as I also like the classic black, I'm not sure how well that would sell to the current RPG audience (and I've no idea what that even is...)

I like the idea of showing the future: Traveller, by its very name, is more of exploring the universe (with the occasional, or for some, the often, blowing things up side of things). Show a slice of the universe. This also corresponds with the other thread that a rules set without a setting is dry. Give me a universe - I can start from there or go totally sideways. But at least it gives something to start with.

So, while I like the cover from GURPS:Far Trader, it is a little too bland in some ways. While great for a supplement on trade, a players guide will need a little more excitement. So the starport has a lot of potential.

 

[robject]

As much as I also like the classic black, I'm not sure how well that would sell to the current RPG audience (and I've no idea what that even is...)

In order to know what the current audience is, go to your local game store and flip through SW: Edge of Empire, and the D&D 5E book. That's the audience.

Ah, and also there's an OSR fad, which old gamers like, but that's mainly freeware and downloadable content.

 

[lostscout5]

I like the starport idea. But make it a seedy looking port. And have the crew of the ship armed and at least one of them standing guard. The captain arguing with a Imperial official in the fore ground. And passengers boarding in the back round. Make some of the figures aliens. This way you can introduce the Imperium and some of the aliens, while showcasing travel and adventure.

Just my take

 

[robject]

I like the starport idea. But make it a seedy looking port. And have the crew of the ship armed and at least one of them standing guard. The captain arguing with a Imperial official in the fore ground. And passengers boarding in the back round. Make some of the figures aliens. This way you can introduce the Imperium and some of the aliens, while showcasing travel and adventure.

Just my take

It sure sounds engaging. I like all the facets. Might be a little busy?

 

[Starflyer]

voted for the star port scene as I've always considered Jim Burns classic starport scene to be quintessential Travellers to me.

 

[whartung]

I'm tending more toward "Star port"-ish rather than "Adventure in the wild", simply because I think most as presented Traveller is "urban".

It could be a combat scene like on T20 (which was off putting because of the photo of, I assume, Hunter…). But I think it captures a feel.

Maybe something a bit more remote than the "right off of Coruscant" feel I get from the T20 cover. A Type C star port maybe.

 

[ovka]

My first thought is characters in a busy starport. This goes along with my vote in the content poll of showing the players startown.

I also voted for corsair firing on the trader. It fuels the imagination. Note that the trader should be trying to escape, not firing back.

Cheers,

Baron Ovka

 

[SanDragon]

I think characters in a starport setting.

A person shopping would more readily identify with people on the front.

It could also be argued the coolness factor of a ship being shot at may catch the eye, too.

 

[aramis]

Ah, and also there's an OSR fad, which old gamers like, but that's mainly freeware and downloadable content.

I think you're misreading the OSR crowd. There are a bunch of grogs (many claiming to tell it like it was...), but a lot more 20-somethings looking for a more "authentic" experience.

But they can safely be ignored - the ones who will play something besides the old D&D clones, they're likely to stick to CT or MGT 1E...

And they're not really a fad, either. Fads don't last 16+ years and generate a significant chunk of the market...

 

[mike wightman]

I'd like to see the various typical player adventure activities as a montage or a panoramic that blends one into the other.

 

[Widda_AW]

I was thinking, maybe a pub brawl, something showing characters in a standard everyday pub, using traveller tech that everyday PC's would have access to, or maybe some that they shouldn't... Sort of Firefly like?

 

[lostscout5]

I was thinking, maybe a pub brawl, something showing characters in a standard everyday pub, using traveller tech that everyday PC's would have access to, or maybe some that they shouldn't... Sort of Firefly like?

" NO BLASTERS ! NO BLASTERS ! " :smirk:

 

[robject]

" NO BLASTERS ! NO BLASTERS ! " :smirk:

"This little one's not worth the effort. Come, let me get you something."

"Awww, hey them ain't kosherized rules..."

 

[jcrocker]

The Traveller Calendars have had some great pictures. Tom Peters had "First Ship this Year" in 2013, and "The New Patron Arrives" in 2011, either one would look at home on a book and would draw you in, and that's just one artist.