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Ozreth
Learned Scribe
206 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 07:36:33
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Does anybody know the official word on why they decided to take the FR logo off of the new books? Just ordered the new Salvatore book and am disappointed in the lack of logo. Its a small thing I know, but still disheartening. It just looks ugly and uninspired.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Pazuzu
Seeker
Germany
61 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 08:20:33
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| The only thing I could think of, is because the want even non-FR fans to buy the book :-) |
May your dice obey your will. - Gary Gygax (*1938 - †2008) |
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Ozreth
Learned Scribe
206 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 08:23:02
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Hmmm. I thought the logo had simply been relegated to the spine of each new FR novel... while the D&D brand adorned the front cover.
Ah this could be true, guess I'll have to wait for the book to arrive and see : ) Looking forward to it none the less. Also ordered the annotated Elminster along with it as I have never read an elminster book. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 08:34:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Hmmm. I thought the logo had simply been relegated to the spine of each new FR novel... while the D&D brand adorned the front cover.
Ah this could be true, guess I'll have to wait for the book to arrive and see : )
Well that's how it's been with the most recent releases, like Elminster Must Die and The Ghost King paperback.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Sandro
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
266 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 08:54:06
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Both Gauntlgrym and Elminster Must Die feature a banner across the top of the cover saying "Dungeons and Dragons," below which is written "Forgotten Realms". The spine features the 3rd edition FR logo, though it is very small, and a much larger D&D logo at the bottom.
It does bear noting that it has been getting progressively smaller ever since first edition, but it is odd that the D&D logo is given more prevalence than the FR one. |
"Gods, little fishes, and spells to turn the one to the other," Mordenkainen sighed. "It's started already..." |
Edited by - Sandro on 20 Oct 2010 08:58:06 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 08:55:30
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Hmmm. I thought the logo had simply been relegated to the spine of each new FR novel... while the D&D brand adorned the front cover.
Ah this could be true, guess I'll have to wait for the book to arrive and see : )
Well that's how it's been with the most recent releases, like Elminster Must Die and The Ghost King paperback.
Indeed.
Though I prefer to also see the logo in the cover. Non-FR fans (but undoubtedly D&D fans) will still buy the novels even with the FR logo in the cover, since the overarching logo of D&D is much too obvious. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 09:00:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Sandro
It does bear noting that it has been getting progressively smaller ever since first edition, but it is odd that the D&D logo is given more prevalence than the FR one.
Marketing's the only answer. Most probably to lure the readers of other worlds under D&D (MTG, Eb, DL, Rv...) And I'm expecting the same thing will happen to the logos of those other worlds/branches anytime soon. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Sandro
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
266 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 09:08:07
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quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Sandro
It does bear noting that it has been getting progressively smaller ever since first edition, but it is odd that the D&D logo is given more prevalence than the FR one.
Marketing's the only answer. Most probably to lure the readers of other worlds under D&D (MTG, Eb, DL, Rv...) And I'm expecting the same thing will happen to the logos of those other worlds/branches anytime soon.
Aye, the paperback of Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is much the same. Not a poor marketing ploy, I suppose, but a part of me still likes having two thirds of the spine taken up by an absolutely massive FR logo. It looks ever so nice on a bookshelf... |
"Gods, little fishes, and spells to turn the one to the other," Mordenkainen sighed. "It's started already..." |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 15:00:15
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If they were worried about "branding" keeping different groups from buying it, they wouldnt have welded a bigger D&D logo onto it.
I'm not sure why the decision was made to minimize Forgotten Realms was made, but what shared world novles line(published by WOTC) has sold more than FR??? It seems like a try to shift the brand...who knows...I just know I dont like it. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 15:06:20
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| I guess WotC is more interested in building the D&D Brand... |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2010 : 16:27:50
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Because of the recession, a few years ago Wizards consolidated itself to 'two core brands', D&D and Magic. It's trying to foster D&D fans, who ideally run short-term campaigns in the company's latest setting then buy the next, over Realms fans who only buy from a subset of D&D-related output.
This decision underlies everything that's been done with the Realms in the last few years, which can't be understood without bearing it in mind. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 02:28:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Sandro
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Sandro
It does bear noting that it has been getting progressively smaller ever since first edition, but it is odd that the D&D logo is given more prevalence than the FR one.
Marketing's the only answer. Most probably to lure the readers of other worlds under D&D (MTG, Eb, DL, Rv...) And I'm expecting the same thing will happen to the logos of those other worlds/branches anytime soon.
Aye, the paperback of Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is much the same. Not a poor marketing ploy, I suppose, but a part of me still likes having two thirds of the spine taken up by an absolutely massive FR logo. It looks ever so nice on a bookshelf...
And I wonder why they didn't do that to the hardbound.
So far MtG has not yet suffered from the change of logo. I'm not sure with Eb though. It's been more than a year since I last bought an Eb novel. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36882 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 02:33:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
This decision underlies everything that's been done with the Realms in the last few years, which can't be understood without bearing it in mind.
I'd strike the last five words of the quoted sentence.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Sandro
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
266 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 10:00:51
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quote:
Originally posted by dennis
And I wonder why they didn't do that to the hardbound.
So far MtG has not yet suffered from the change of logo. I'm not sure with Eb though. It's been more than a year since I last bought an Eb novel.
Same reason they didn't do it for The Ghost King.
Incidentally, are Eberron novels still even a thing? I never got the impression they were particularly significant... |
"Gods, little fishes, and spells to turn the one to the other," Mordenkainen sighed. "It's started already..." |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 10:11:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Sandro
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
And I wonder why they didn't do that to the hardbound.
So far MtG has not yet suffered from the change of logo. I'm not sure with Eb though. It's been more than a year since I last bought an Eb novel.
Same reason they didn't do it for The Ghost King.
Incidentally, are Eberron novels still even a thing? I never got the impression they were particularly significant...
It's the same for EBERRON novels as well -- D&D brand on the front, EB brand on the spine. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2010 : 14:28:27
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| The newest book by Geno Salvatore, The Sentinels, has the Dungeons & Dragons logo on it, but nowhere do I find Forgotten Realms on the cover or spine. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3248 Posts |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
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Sandro
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
266 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2010 : 19:08:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
The newest book by Geno Salvatore, The Sentinels, has the Dungeons & Dragons logo on it, but nowhere do I find Forgotten Realms on the cover or spine.
[url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0786955058/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books]He's right[/url]
He's right regarding the fact that I'm right. 
They're both right, regarding Alisttair's being right.  |
"Gods, little fishes, and spells to turn the one to the other," Mordenkainen sighed. "It's started already..." |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4693 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2010 : 22:38:50
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Err, unless my image viewer needs update, I did not see an image of the spine.
In part of the 4th Edition, or combining BD&D and AD&D into a single game, was that all game worlds are part of all other game worlds. As such it clearly could be that marketing indeed did focus on the D&D Brand with the hoe of game settings crossovers. Hey after you purchased it, the chances are good you will use it. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2010 : 23:54:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
No logo? Tiny logo? Meep! Holy missing runes, Bat-Man! This does not bode well.... What's next? Elminster Meets Soth? Strahd In Korvaire? Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to Greyhawk?
Strahd in Khorvaire? Hmmm. I'm thinking he might find his home in Karrnath. Or maybe that would be Soth? |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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jornan
Learned Scribe
Canada
256 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 04:20:18
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If WotC are going for a more marketable format for their various lines they certainly are making it less confusing for readers. I wouldn't even know where to begin if I was just starting to read the FRs.
As for the stone of Tymora, each book has a completely diffrent look, logo, and art direction. One can hardly tell they even belong together when all three are lined up on a shelf.
I'm ok with a revamp of the packaging and the look, but to do it mid series just looks stupid and confusing on a shelf. Like why change the the look and format for the last book (circle of skulls) in the Ed Presents waterdeep series? The first five all look the same and then the last one is of the new format...perhaps that parallels the fact the first five books were really enjoyable and wel written and book six was well...not so much. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 09:34:59
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quote:
Originally posted by jornan
I'm ok with a revamp of the packaging and the look, but to do it mid series just looks stupid and confusing on a shelf. Like why change the the look and format for the last book (circle of skulls) in the Ed Presents waterdeep series? The first five all look the same and then the last one is of the new format...
I'm inclined to agree, jornan. If WotC had long ago planned to change the logo, they should have started it at the very first book of the series, Blackstaff Tower. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3248 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 13:44:26
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| I don't see a difference in the overall "look" between Blackstaff Tower and Circle of Skulls. They may have used a different artist for the main image, but that's nothing new since publishers will use a different artist many times on a series like this (look at Harpers). |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
Edited by - Ashe Ravenheart on 02 Dec 2010 13:44:48 |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 13:49:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
No logo? Tiny logo? Meep! Holy missing runes, Bat-Man! This does not bode well.... What's next? Elminster Meets Soth? Strahd In Korvaire? Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to Greyhawk?
Nah....what's next is people with busy lives, skimming over the bookstore in the five free minutes we have free , not seeing any new Forgotten Realms novels and going home disappointed....or gasp! .....with some other product.
I know that's why I finally grabbed a Dresden Files novel and have been buying and reading those and others while gauntylgrym still sits in the store.
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A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2010 : 01:39:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
I don't see a difference in the overall "look" between Blackstaff Tower and Circle of Skulls. They may have used a different artist for the main image, but that's nothing new since publishers will use a different artist many times on a series like this (look at Harpers).
Strange, the cover of CoS I saw in our bookstores have the D&D logo. Dunno, that one in Amazon might be a sample cover only. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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rockyoumonkeys
Acolyte
28 Posts |
Posted - 30 Dec 2010 : 21:00:41
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| The thing that concerned me (and which I'm still not convinced isn't happening) was the possibility that they were trying to consolidate the actual unique worlds, and turn them all into one big setting. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 30 Dec 2010 : 21:33:37
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quote:
rockyoumonkeys
The thing that concerned me (and which I'm still not convinced isn't happening) was the possibility that they were trying to consolidate the actual unique worlds, and turn them all into one big setting.
Wizards has already pushed 4E Forgotten Realms, Dark Sun, and Eberron settings - the internet speculation (and criticism) is rampant about other pre-4E settings being officially released or supported. WotC might (or might never) license certain "non-core" settings to third-parties, like they've done before. The new settings are "consolidated" to some extent, but also "streamlined" - from what I've seen, Wizards's idea is to emphasize ease of use (especially for new DMs/players) of self-contained standalone setting products. The only official comments I'm aware of have all been reassurances that DMs could import or use existing lore about their settings without difficulty.
FR is a brand, and though I don't know how it's faring now I think it's safe to say it peaked in the late 1990's and has been on the decline since; it seems to me that more people are aware of the Realms through novels and computer games than through D&D game products. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Why no more setting logo on the books?
