We're starting to produce ultra-super-ridiculously-early builds on our iPhones-- both for the Combat Engine and for the visuals. Experiments abound!
Well, you can't put an app-- even a not-even-close-to-being-done one-- on your phone without an app icon, so out of these quick ones, which do you like best and why?
I like the first one, the P with the blue background.
My reasoning is, the game is Paragons - so a Large P easily identifies the game.
The game isn't all about big beefy warrior looking characters, there will be a myriad of classes, so I don't like the second one, because it seems biased. Most of that same logic applied to the third one as well.
They call me the Crier. No, I don't cry a lot. I deliver news you uncouth barbarian.
...soooo that means you don't like the 4th one i just added, @Darggie?
No, I actually do like the 4th one. Because the picture of a face, or a helm, doesn't actually convey a whole lot.
I'll break down my opinions for each and why I like/dislike each to a greater degree,
This is a very Basic Icon. It doesn't give the wrong impression about the game, there is nothing sneaking or enigmatic about it. The P is the first letter of the game, so it clearly conveys it's purpose if you've read the name of the game.
There is no hints on the icon that the game might be a different type of game. You don't look at the huge P and think, mystery game.
I don't like this one as much, because it's a Face. A face doesn't give any focus or emphasis on the game or what type of game it is at all. You either know from experience what the icon means, or you don't. If someone says hey, load Paragons and check it out when handing you their phone. This Icon won't jump out at them over other icons as being the correct one, without the game being labeled as well.
Which is different from the P, because if you're looking, don't see an icon named Paragon, you might still figure, oh, big P. Probably what they are talking about.
Edit: Now if the face, is a common face you see in the game. Like a guide, or someone you talk to frequently. It's not as bad. Because those who already play and experience the game, understand the meaning behind the icon to a much greater degree. But those who has never played it, still get no meaning from the icon, so it is, in my opinion the least likely icon to attract new players.
I feel like this one a little bit more but, it could mean anything. True, it does conveys a medieval-ish/gladiatorial like thought upon seeing it. As well as the Helm might convey leadership, where you command people or give orders. Which falls in line with your camp system from what I have read.
This one is my second favorite, right behind the P.
The thoughts are similar to one above, but the added swords adds a bit of knowledge that the Helm might not mean leading, or not "just" leading. It clearly portrays combat and action.
If someone told me to guess which Icon on their phone for the game Paragon, out of a decent sized list. The large P would stand out first. Then if, as most people do, and someone had given me a brief introduction to what the game is, this one would stand out second.
They call me the Crier. No, I don't cry a lot. I deliver news you uncouth barbarian.
Good perspective, thanks @Darggie. And good point in your edit about a face you see regularly. We haven't figured out what folks you'll encounter regularly yet, so that's good thinking. I imagine we'll be posting many of these as we work through the iconography.
Same as already mentioned really, at this stage and without knowing too much about the game play as such. Something simple that refers you to the name of the game would be good.
Good stuff. There will be much more where this is concerned. How about other ideas? What else, given what you know about Paragons so far, would you put into this tiniest of very-important artwork (the icon)?
I like this artwork because it feels more grownup than most mobile games I see. It reminds me of old fantasy/sci fi book covers. Could your icon not take a little slice of that? Even if it ends up being a little bit abstract.
Honestly, I don't like any of them. The P reminds me of Pandora (already mentioned) and the rest just remind me of every other battle game out there. Now, what initially brought me to this point was, quite simply, the name. Paragons. It rings grand. Give me an icon that says Paragons, (like the one for this board), and I'm in.
I hear that. I'm prepping the 1st game development update, and you'll see some of what we're exploring on the art direction side. And @MythBringer, I appreciate that sentiment-- we obviously agree, so we're doing many explorations.
In fact, we're using that image that @Finjinimo mentioned for the loading screen as we speak (obviously nothing final, and you may notice we're playing with fonts now):
Now, this is interesting-- some folks liking the iconic P and others with the imagery. What is it about the P that you like and what other imagery might make sense (I liked the banner idea as well...)?
@thewizard i kind of like the whole picture.(with the other stranger in(on board pics) do you need the word paragons on it? i'm not so sure. after all if you gone to the trouble of putting it on device you going to know a good banner picture do the same job .
The P is simple, elegant and not cartoonish. It doesn't scream 'casual' or 'kids game'. I was looking at the top games on my phone last night, none of them look like a grownup game. They all look casual and cutesy.
I wanna play a grown up game, wizzy! WANT WANT WANT! NOW NOW NOW!
"Now remember kids- If you don't use environmentally friendly technology, a giant technicolour inter-dimensional ghost squid will come down from space and eat everybody."
YES, And for that, you get all the internet bikkits.
"Now remember kids- If you don't use environmentally friendly technology, a giant technicolour inter-dimensional ghost squid will come down from space and eat everybody."
TheWizard
Posts: 838 Wizard
Comments
I like the first one, the P with the blue background.
My reasoning is, the game is Paragons - so a Large P easily identifies the game.
The game isn't all about big beefy warrior looking characters, there will be a myriad of classes, so I don't like the second one, because it seems biased. Most of that same logic applied to the third one as well.
I'll SMITE you
But there is something simple, elegant, dignified maybe?, about the big ol' P.
Wasn't midnight star a big M?
I'll break down my opinions for each and why I like/dislike each to a greater degree,
This is a very Basic Icon. It doesn't give the wrong impression about the game, there is nothing sneaking or enigmatic about it. The P is the first letter of the game, so it clearly conveys it's purpose if you've read the name of the game.
There is no hints on the icon that the game might be a different type of game. You don't look at the huge P and think, mystery game.
I don't like this one as much, because it's a Face. A face doesn't give any focus or emphasis on the game or what type of game it is at all. You either know from experience what the icon means, or you don't.
If someone says hey, load Paragons and check it out when handing you their phone. This Icon won't jump out at them over other icons as being the correct one, without the game being labeled as well.
Which is different from the P, because if you're looking, don't see an icon named Paragon, you might still figure, oh, big P. Probably what they are talking about.
Edit: Now if the face, is a common face you see in the game. Like a guide, or someone you talk to frequently. It's not as bad. Because those who already play and experience the game, understand the meaning behind the icon to a much greater degree. But those who has never played it, still get no meaning from the icon, so it is, in my opinion the least likely icon to attract new players.
I feel like this one a little bit more but, it could mean anything. True, it does conveys a medieval-ish/gladiatorial like thought upon seeing it. As well as the Helm might convey leadership, where you command people or give orders. Which falls in line with your camp system from what I have read.
But the game is more then that.TheWizard said: This one is my second favorite, right behind the P.
The thoughts are similar to one above, but the added swords adds a bit of knowledge that the Helm might not mean leading, or not "just" leading. It clearly portrays combat and action.
If someone told me to guess which Icon on their phone for the game Paragon, out of a decent sized list. The large P would stand out first. Then if, as most people do, and someone had given me a brief introduction to what the game is, this one would stand out second.
Yes indeed, though we changed it to a Renfield character with the M in a smaller part of the real estate.
I'll SMITE you
Other thoughts?
I'll SMITE you
But @drglory, you're thinking some color and texture in the background a la a House banner?
I'll SMITE you
Yeah, you should totally go with a white icon and a blue P. The familiarity will help people find your game!
I'll SMITE you
I'll SMITE you
(I just want to hear wiz say pee pee).
I'll SMITE you
I'll SMITE you
I like this artwork because it feels more grownup than most mobile games I see. It reminds me of old fantasy/sci fi book covers. Could your icon not take a little slice of that? Even if it ends up being a little bit abstract.
In fact, we're using that image that @Finjinimo mentioned for the loading screen as we speak (obviously nothing final, and you may notice we're playing with fonts now):
I'll SMITE you
I'll SMITE you
i kind of like the whole picture.(with the other stranger in(on board pics)
do you need the word paragons on it?
i'm not so sure.
after all if you gone to the trouble of putting it on device you going to know a good banner picture do the same job .
I wanna play a grown up game, wizzy! WANT WANT WANT! NOW NOW NOW!
/hopes someone gets that reference
YES, And for that, you get all the internet bikkits.
I'll SMITE you