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Wow -that's really not what I expected!

**Deciding what to make of it**

I think I like it, but is it me or is a lower than usual quality scan? I wouldn't mind a butchers at a higher quality image.

The guy looks like he is really zoned.

I think I dated that girl once...

Give the guy a break, he is hypnotized by a vampire.

RockJock wrote:Give the guy a break, he is hypnotized by a vampire.

I think every guy can sympathize...

Slag wrote:

RockJock wrote:Give the guy a break, he is hypnotized by a vampire.

I think every guy can sympathize...

*snerk*

How come female vampires are always fitness freak hotties? Surely there are a few less than fit female vamps out there.

I really don't care for the cover too much. I was hoping for a landscape, or maybe something a bit more exciting and original than a vamp in pink spandex. Not that she's not hot, but it just doens't get me jazzed up to play like some other covers do.

The question isn't whether or not there are non-hot vampires out there, but whether or not there are non-hot Zeleznik chicks out there.

that cover looks like It's john Consstantine in the 24 1/2 th century.

Kikkoman wrote:It's the most un-Rifty look Rifts cover I've seen. I don't know what to make of it. I didn't know what was going on untill somebody pointed it out. Somebody not familiar with Rifts would also be confused with the image.

Dinosaur swamp had dinosaurs on the cover, that's obvious.

I can't wait to get that sucker up on my wall. I think when you're looking at it full-sized, the subtle things will stick out more. The merc dropping the cross is pretty important to understanding what is going on, but easy to miss in the small pic.

Kikkoman wrote:It's the most un-Rifty look Rifts cover I've seen.

That is pretty close to my original reaction too. It's not a bad painting, and maybe fits the book to a tee, but there is just something off about it. It's just not "rifty" to me.

Jason Richards wrote:

Kikkoman wrote:It's the most un-Rifty look Rifts cover I've seen. I don't know what to make of it. I didn't know what was going on untill somebody pointed it out. Somebody not familiar with Rifts would also be confused with the image.

Dinosaur swamp had dinosaurs on the cover, that's obvious.

I can't wait to get that sucker up on my wall. I think when you're looking at it full-sized, the subtle things will stick out more. The merc dropping the cross is pretty important to understanding what is going on, but easy to miss in the small pic.

Yeah, I guessed it was a cross, but the detail on the scan isn't great -I like it, but it is very different to every other Rifts cover i've seen. Much less in your face, more sinister.

I'll reserve final judgment until I get my copy - congrats anyway! Must be a pretty cool buzz seeing your own work like that.

It's interesting. It took a few seconds before I saw the cross falling from the guy's hand, but as soon as that registered I realized what was going on in the scene. Even though I can't see the chick's fangs, I know that they're there.

I really don't like it, the faces aren't done very well and it's just not up to John Z standard if you ask me.

Can I ask a quick question about the Arzno map Jason? Is it the usual palladium series of boxes with number in them or does it have a bit more planning to it, also is it to scale?

I like it.

My only problem is the back ground. It doesn't fit in all that well with whats actually going on. Maybe add a vamp feeding on someone in a corner or something

grandmaster z0b wrote:Can I ask a quick question about the Arzno map Jason? Is it the usual palladium series of boxes with number in them or does it have a bit more planning to it, also is it to scale?

Well, it is a series of boxes (in other words it's schematic... just outlines of buildings without any more detail), but the buildings do vary in size, shape, and orientation as appropriate. And yes, all maps are to scale, be they city maps or larger regional maps. As many of you probably know, I'm a structural engineer, so I think you'll find that the maps are about as precise as can be expected.

For an idea on what my maps look like, in general, I did some quickies for my Gen Con games last year. Keep in mind that these are less-involved than the Arzno maps, but it should give you an idea of the "style."

http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... onders.jpg
http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... lofMan.jpg
http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... Strike.jpg

Awww...they didn't go for my idea (A vampire choking on a garlic steak in an Italian Restaurant).

~ Josh

Jason Richards wrote:

grandmaster z0b wrote:Can I ask a quick question about the Arzno map Jason? Is it the usual palladium series of boxes with number in them or does it have a bit more planning to it, also is it to scale?

Well, it is a series of boxes (in other words it's schematic... just outlines of buildings without any more detail), but the buildings do vary in size, shape, and orientation as appropriate. And yes, all maps are to scale, be they city maps or larger regional maps. As many of you probably know, I'm a structural engineer, so I think you'll find that the maps are about as precise as can be expected.

For an idea on what my maps look like, in general, I did some quickies for my Gen Con games last year. Keep in mind that these are less-involved than the Arzno maps, but it should give you an idea of the "style."

http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... onders.jpg
http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... lofMan.jpg
http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... Strike.jpg

Cool thanks, I think it will be what I'm after- more detail and better layout than some of the more ad hoc maps PB has produced (streets are actually drawn and labelled instead of just being gaps between houses) so I take it the scale will be listed as well.

grandmaster z0b wrote:

Jason Richards wrote:

grandmaster z0b wrote:Can I ask a quick question about the Arzno map Jason? Is it the usual palladium series of boxes with number in them or does it have a bit more planning to it, also is it to scale?

Well, it is a series of boxes (in other words it's schematic... just outlines of buildings without any more detail), but the buildings do vary in size, shape, and orientation as appropriate. And yes, all maps are to scale, be they city maps or larger regional maps. As many of you probably know, I'm a structural engineer, so I think you'll find that the maps are about as precise as can be expected.

For an idea on what my maps look like, in general, I did some quickies for my Gen Con games last year. Keep in mind that these are less-involved than the Arzno maps, but it should give you an idea of the "style."

http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... onders.jpg
http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... lofMan.jpg
http://www.jasonrichards.net/img/ChaosE ... Strike.jpg

Cool thanks, I think it will be what I'm after- more detail and better layout than some of the more ad hoc maps PB has produced (streets are actually drawn and labelled instead of just being gaps between houses) so I take it the scale will be listed as well.

Yes, a listed scale, though on the Arzno maps the roads aren't drawn in. I toyed with doing that, but it made them just way too cluttered. It's very clear where the streets are, though.

Jason Richards wrote:

Kikkoman wrote:It's the most un-Rifty look Rifts cover I've seen. I don't know what to make of it. I didn't know what was going on untill somebody pointed it out. Somebody not familiar with Rifts would also be confused with the image.

Dinosaur swamp had dinosaurs on the cover, that's obvious.

I can't wait to get that sucker up on my wall. I think when you're looking at it full-sized, the subtle things will stick out more. The merc dropping the cross is pretty important to understanding what is going on, but easy to miss in the small pic.

It looks really good Jason, congrats on the book and the cool looking cover.



Daniel Stoker

I like the cover myself, but I think I see what might be unconsciously bothering some people - the picture is turned slightly sideways. You have to tilt your head to the left for it to look like a head on shot, which most Rifts covers are.

While I can appreciate the effort it took three things bother me.

First, the tilt of the whole thing does put me off. This was probably done to give it an "edgy" feel but to me it simply detracts from the work rather than adding to it.

Second, (and this may be just me... I'm a conisuer of sorts ) her rear is lopsided. If she were to stand straight without the left leg lifted as it is there is no way that the left side of he butt would match the right.

Third, this is a mercanary vampire hunter right? So how is he so inept to look a vamp in the eye and watch them change colors... while holding a cross? Come on man if it were me I'd be like... "Hmm the vamp makes eye contact, I raise the cross I have in hand, to eye level, and watch as the vamp recoils in appearent fear and pain."

But meh thats just me.

Thinyser wrote:Third, this is a mercanary vampire hunter right? So how is he so inept to look a vamp in the eye and watch them change colors... while holding a cross?

They're called *****, Ed.



Thank you Julia Roberts!

Marrowlight wrote:

Thinyser wrote:Third, this is a mercanary vampire hunter right? So how is he so inept to look a vamp in the eye and watch them change colors... while holding a cross?

They're called *****, Ed.



Thank you Julia Roberts!

Then he wouldn't be looking he in the eyes... now would he?

It seems to fit with the newer style of Rifts covers to me. I took it as one of those Mercs who isn't a Vamp hunter, but thinks they know what they're doing.

RockJock wrote:It seems to fit with the newer style of Rifts covers to me. I took it as one of those Mercs who isn't a Vamp hunter, but thinks they know what they're doing.

Mm ditto. The guy doesn't even have a water gun - an obvious n00b vampire hunter.

Thinyser wrote:
Third, this is a mercanary vampire hunter right? So how is he so inept to look a vamp in the eye and watch them change colors... while holding a cross?

Perhaps she mind controlled him, then told him to remove and drop any crosses/stakes etc from his pockets, before closing for the death-smooch..

Ziggy78eog wrote:The cover art, as usual, is rather good. I wonder where this "Arzno" is? There is alot of territory along the US/Mexico border you know.

North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Maps will tell all.

thehuby wrote:

Thinyser wrote:

Marrowlight wrote:

Thinyser wrote:Third, this is a mercanary vampire hunter right? So how is he so inept to look a vamp in the eye and watch them change colors... while holding a cross?

They're called *****, Ed.



Thank you Julia Roberts!

Then he wouldn't be looking he in the eyes... now would he?

Maybe she's a D-Bee with eyes for nipples?

At last! We could be starting them in the eye and doing what we realy want to do at the same time!!! Shame she's a vamp though

thehuby wrote:

Thinyser wrote:

Marrowlight wrote:

Thinyser wrote:Third, this is a mercanary vampire hunter right? So how is he so inept to look a vamp in the eye and watch them change colors... while holding a cross?

They're called *****, Ed.



Thank you Julia Roberts!

Then he wouldn't be looking he in the eyes... now would he?

Maybe she's a D-Bee with eyes for nipples?

Or nipples for eyes...though I doubt that would have the same effect...

~ Josh

Arcanus wrote:That's not what I expected

It isn't what most of us expected - it's a very quiet piece, versus most covers. I still like it though.

I think it's pretty poor.

Very, very unexciting.

If I look at the covers of almost any other rifts book they make me want to play or get me thinking about certain classes / spells / creatures.

That Arzno cover puts a look on my face much like that of the pictured merc.

My first reaction to seeing the dude with the vampiress on the cover was that it's time for someone to roll up a new character....