Apologies if I'm repeating myself with this post but just to clarify…
We’ve been working on the book for over a year now. Was the cover a last minute choice? Absolutely not. In terms of some of the comments posted:
1. We approached SNK for a unique piece for the cover of the book. They declined.
2. Did we consider both a simple gold logo with a black background – yes that’s what we started with (read on…)
3. Did we consider a collage of a number of images – yes we did (read on…)
This book is unlike any of the other Bitmap Books - it is fully licensed so everything needs to approved by SNK. This is not as straight forward as you would expect.
There is also a royalty to pay to SNK again something that sets this apart from any other Bitmap book.
I noted references to the Super Famicom book. This book was Stuart Brett’s book albeit published by BB. The design was Stuarts. Other Bitmap Books have used the multiple smaller images like the visual compendiums but have done so because the books are not licenced and with that approach, BB can just about push the boundary of acceptable use.
BB are known for their art books. The NeoGeo book will feature concept art, box art, pixel art, advertising designs and large images of superb quality – an early title was the Art of the NeoGeo. For the first time BB have been able to lead with an image on the front cover.
A number of designs were considered but KoF was chosen for a number of reasons including–
1. It’s the most famous SNK series and one that still continues (important for SNK to demonstrate they are also about the future not just the past.
2. KoF brought together a number of SNK franchises
3. KoF94 was the game that started off the series.
4. King of Fighters has also featured some of Shinkro’s finest artwork and it was felt that it would be fitting to feature one of his works on the cover. Sure, there are other KoF images but after testing various images BB felt KoF 94 fitted the bill.
The size/potential of the market has been weighed up by BB. Given the fact BB have funded the book entirely and a royalty is due, BB do need the book to have as wider appeal as possible. If the book was just targeted at the hardcore NeoGeo community then absolutely a dark cover with gold logo would be an obvious choice.
I’ll admit that’s where I started and it was the option I supported. But…. we have to appreciate it’s a commercial project and I understand the need for the book to have wider appeal. Sam at BB admits he doesn’t read forums, he tends to trust his own instincts and judgement. At the end of the day he’s got far more experience designing and selling books than the vast majority of us I would expect.
Taking a step back I can completely understand the rationale for the approach taken. The standard book will purely be the book – no slip case. This is the version which is likely to be bought by a significant number of previous BB customers and those who might be into retro gaming, maybe heard of the NeoGeo/maybe not.
The Collectors Editions will come with a slip case and other extras. I’m sure Bitmap Books will be able to reveal this in the next couple of weeks. There are some nice design touches that will be revealed in due course but I’m sure those will be appreciated.
So here is what I'm getting out of this.
1.) SNK didnt want to provide original art
2.) BB funded and BB wanted cover art to attract future customers
3.) You guys choose KOF94 cover art for the above mentioned reasons.
I still think KOF94 is a bad choice, and isnt going to have the "wider appeal" you think it will. We can gauge that on the feedback from the Neo community alone, whom of which already see SNK/Neo through rose-colored glasses.
If SNK didnt want to provide original artwork, why not reach out to the community? There are tons of talented people who could do an amazing job, and woiuld probably do it just for the recognition.
I guess at the end of the day, you'll never be able to make everyone happy. If the cover is the worst part about this book, I think it'll be ok.