I just received copies of the original Fabled Lands covers from the awesomely-talented Kevin Jenkins, who is now a leading light at movie magic worskshop Framestore, where he has worked on blockbusters like Clash of the Titans - but who, we're proud to say, got his first art commissions illustrating the FL gamebooks.To capture these images, Kevin set up all three sections of the original paintings and photographed them. It was a joy to get these because it's the first time I've seen the artwork in all its glory, unspoiled by cover folds and text.
We have Kevin's permission to use his artwork on the covers of the new edition FL gamebooks, the first four titles of which will be available on Amazon in just a few weeks. And we've also discussed the possibility of issuing them as large, glossy high-quality posters. How about it? Got a wall long enough?
Looking at it in its entirety, I suddenly realise, after many years, that the man in the foreground is stroking his beard and pondering how best to take advantage of the situation he is witnessing.....something I may never have thought of when I first started playing FL's.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the way the separate parts of the triptych work in different registers - the central part as immediate action, the right-hand part depicting some threat or tension coming up, and the left-hand section opening out a wider view of the world.
ReplyDeleteNot that every cover follows exactly that pattern. Kev tells me he wasn't happy with the first one and I think that's partly because the brief wasn't very clear - just "a sweeping panorama showing lots of elements like an old-style movie poster". But he nailed it with #2 onwards, establishing a storytelling template to rival Giotto.
But for all the times I've looked at these covers, it was still a revelation for me to see the originals like this. It's the first time I've really seen the scene as a whole, rather than as three connected but distinct panels. I hope we can get the posters done because these magnificent paintings deserve to be seen in their pristine form.
I am looking forward to purchasing these gamebooks. These artworks does look neat and will look forward to having them as posters. I believe I got long enough wall!
ReplyDeleteMan I loved the fabled lands series - was always gutted that I could never explore those feathered jungles in Ankon Konu, or take the 'ultimate journey' into the underworld. Really hope the ipad/phone applications take off for you guys - are they on the way or are you looking for more funding first?
ReplyDeleteJames, the apps are coming along well and the guys at Megara Entertainment don't need any more funding - though they could use an extra few hours in the day. I expect to see War-Torn Kingdom on the iPad by Christmas, or early in the New Year at the latest, and the iPhone version will follow a few months later, then Cities of Gold & Glory later in 2011.
ReplyDeleteJoe, I heard from Kevin and he's been on a movie set all week but we are going to try and get a deal hammered out for those posters asap. Keep that wall space free!
Dave, I'm confused. So are the books just going to be available in electronic format, or is there a possibility of paperback versions too?
ReplyDeleteHey Hamza, Dave and Jamie are releasing paperback reprints of the first 6 FL books around December. They are planning on fixing flaws in the system, such as the endless farmable loops. The War-Torn Kingdom (Book 1)will be available by December or January as an Ipad app by the dedicated individuals at Megara Entertainment. From what I can tell, the Ipad app will be a different breed of FL game, but maintain most of the elements of the world of Harkun. If 5,000-10,000 copies of each of the first 6 books are sold, the board of directors will green-light the completion of the series. What this means is that we need to promote the series by any means possible. I feel that the millions of World of Warcraft players will be a key demographic for the series, and constantly driving home the point will be essential to our success. I'm actually pitching a piece to magazines regarding this, but it seems to be too obscure :-( More information can be found on the Yahoo Groups "Fabled Lands" and "Book 7", and on my site http://www.mikemielke.mp under "Part 1" and "Part 2" and on Demian Katz' opus of all things Gamebook related: http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=145
ReplyDeleteAs for extra content in the existing books, Dave has mentioned that there is a special surprise is store on Christmas Day! Dave and Jamie's other works are brimming with creativity as well, although they aren't nearly as open-ended (not a problem for me though :-). Blood Sword, Virtual Reality, and The Way of the Tiger reprints are in the works, if enough interest in genreated. I'd like to see Jamie Thomson's Eternal Champions series reprinted as well, as it may be forgotten. At a $7.99 price point, they will certainly be an affordable alternative to an MMO, as the Fabled Lands series is just THAT darn good! Oh, and Greywood Publishing http://www.greywoodpublishing.com/ is releasing the Fabled Lands Role-Playing Game and 12 corresponding sourcebooks as well, but I am not entirely sure what's in store for that project, but if Sir Morris is involved in a project, my interest is certainly piqued.
- Mike Mielke -
Dave wrote a text book on Game Design and has a Masters degree in Physics as well, so he is a force to be reckoned with! :) Where is Jamie at when you need him? Dave, Jamie mentioned that he has been trying to have you eliminated by ninja assassins for many years now, but you are too cunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that brilliant summary, Mike - I think you covered it all! The problem with Jamie's ninja assassins is that they are almost as fat as he is, and therefore child's play for me to dodge with my (not-that-impressive) green belt in Shotokan :)
ReplyDeleteJust a follow up for the RPG...
ReplyDeleteIt will be a full blown multi-player role-playing game set in the Fabled Lands. The rules for it are going to be very similar to the gamebooks, just greatly expanded upon. We are hoping for a January release for the main rulebook, with the first sourcebook (Sokara) following soon after.
You are certainly welcome! My summary was a bit hastily thrown together, I must admit. I haven't heard any mention of Jamie's Eternal Champions gamebooks. Is there any talk of reprints of that series as well? I know this is a bit of a longshot, but is it possible for a new Fabled Lands styled series of gamebooks set in the land of Abraxas?
ReplyDeleteLastly, I had a question in regards to your 900+ page Game Design textbook. Does it include board game and gamebook conventions as well, or is it strictly programming languages?
Hi Mike, I think the Eternal Champions books are very unlikely to get reprinted, as SEGA own the copyright. Possibly Jamie's DuelMaster books, though... like with Way of the Tiger, he needs Mark Smith's permission for those.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do an FL style series set in Abraxas. (Well, really I'd still like to do the MMOG but a gamebook series is a bit cheaper to develop.) We'd have to see a massive surge in gamebook sales for that to happen, however - there's not just the cost of writing, but also artwork and typography. So the answer is that it'd be nice but I doubt if it's going to happen any time soon.
Game Architecture & Design is specifically about computer and video games. Makes a handy doorstop too :)
I know someone who creates whole social networking websites for $30,000. He mentioned that it would be interesting to do a browser based role-playing game, but you would have to give him an in-depth proposal stating your budget. He does web marketing, e-commerce, and security for websites as well. His name is Doug Lauer, and he REALLY knows programming inside and out. If you would like to contact him, his main website (there is a contact link on there) is http://www.doug.cc his development blog is http://taky.bz and his newest social networking site is http://www.ourspace.com Doug has been doing this since 10th grade (6 years), possibly more, and scores big-name clients all of the time.
ReplyDeleteIf you need great artwork done cheaply, there is an artist by the name of Rob Duenas who actually did some commissions for Marvel, I believe. He is the art designer for GameFan Magazine http://www.gamefanmag.com If you click on the preview, you can change the hyperlinks to say issue1, issue2, or issue 3 to view the other samples. His main website (although not updated) is http://www.sketchrob.com and his art site is robduenas.deviantart.com Great work done for lower prices than most, you can't beat that. Although you are probably looking into having Russ do the artwork :-)
Russ Nicholson should do the art, if he's willing. His evocative artwork really brought the (already vivid) books to life.
ReplyDeleteMike, Robert - without question, if there are any more FL books, Russ would be our first choice as illustrator. He really added much more to the series than "just" drawing. He has always been quick to see what Jamie and I are trying to do and not only to depict that but to enhance it. The Lost Continent of Abraxas page on this blog (link there on the right) shows Russ's genius as a concept artist as well as a peerless draughtsman.
ReplyDeleteHey Mike, If you do know this guy Doug Lauer he ripped me off of 500 bucks a few months back. I gave him a upfront 1/2 payment for some fixes to my social network site and now he wont answer my emails, im's, phone calls.. Please let me know if you have an address on him because I think he is in erie, PA.
ReplyDeleteHe claims to be a codeigniter junkie but after he cheated me turns out none of the codeigniter guys on the help forum ever heard of him. Contact me at rockbust at gmail.com if you have any info. It stinks when someone steals hard earned money that could have went to a real programmer..