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Functional Box Artwork

2 replies [Last post]
Tue, 09/09/2014 - 00:56
kingbutterturtle
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Joined: 09/08/2014

I'm creating my first prototype with gamecrafter and I have someone doing graphic design for the printed components but, I'm not sure what to do about the box.

Most of the publisher submission guidelines I've read are looking for what they call 'functional art' - it doesn't have to be perfect because they'll change it if they produce the game but they want it to be good enough to get a feel for what the product might look like. So, my question is what does that look for a box cover. Should I have my graphic designer do something on the computer (which would probably look like really over-sized clip-art), hire a traditional artist to draw something for me or just leave the box very plain - maybe a logo or a photo of the game pieces laid out?

Those are the options I'm considering. I don't want to spend more than is necessary this early in the process but at the same time I want both blind play-testers and publishers to be able to envision the end product.

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Tue, 09/09/2014 - 10:22
#1
seo
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Joined: 07/21/2008
I don't think you should

I don't think you should worry about box art for a prototype in terms of submitting to a publisher, although you might want nice box art to lure playtesters. But a publisher will not care if you have a nice box or a plain black one, as long as the game is solid and appealing.

But for a few exceptions, the publisher will pay for new art for the components, the rulebook and the box, and will probably give the artist freedom to decide what's the best image for the box, rather than asking him to redo whatever you might have come up with in your prototype.

I've done art for a few published games and none of the prototypes had a box with art on it. Actually, most times I've worked from a print and play PDF prototype.

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Tue, 09/09/2014 - 13:40
#2
starcat42
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Joined: 09/19/2013
Art

You absolutely should. First impressions are impossible to get rid of, I myself have gone through this situation.

No one is going to be as invested in play testing your game as you are. so if your game lacks art, you are asking them to care about your game as much as you, and that is just not a reality. spend the money and grab some art to immerse them in your game.

if you need some i may be able to help, but either way i recommend doing it.

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