JasonZavoda wrote:Thought I'd add that my Goodman order arrived this afternoon. If you haven't picked up at least one DCC51 Castle Whiterock you should do it soon.This thing is a monster. It reminds me of the old SPI detergent box games. You could easily use it as a blunt instrument, it weighs a ton.
TheMilford wrote:Really? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro8m68uVjpM
TheMilford wrote:Got My 1st edtion DCCs today.I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. the Saga of the Witch Queen was damaged by the way the guys at NK packed the order. I ordered some Chessex/Gamescience dice in the little box and the box dented/tore the cover. Also because they didn't use a piece of cardboard between them the spines were a little bent... with the Witch Queen sustaining the most damage.I sent NK a message and took photos, I hope they send me a new one.Also, the quality of the printing on these is not so nice. It looks like a mid-quality laser print. My DCC4 is of much higher quality. They must do a short/quick run of these instead of a retail quality "proper" offset printing. I mean the interior is most definitely laser print... and the covers, albeit glossy, are probably printed in a similar way.I'm a little bummed out Now I'm considering NOT buying any more DCCs if the printing is as unprofessional as these.
TheMilford wrote:Maybe I'm a snob that knows too much about the actual printing process. I've worked in the record industry for 10 years in production and have been collecting TSR stuff since 1990 or so...If you compare the way the ink sits "on" the paper with laser or thermal printing instead of "in" the paper like offset or "platen" printing you can see a marked difference. Even the copy of DCC4 I have is WAY better quality than the three I just received. I know this is probably because they are "short" runs compared to the regular run stuff. Basically the color spread or "coverage" on these covers is blotchy and the color is inconsistent. The text and graphic edges are not crisp.If these were cheaper than the normal run modules I would be cool with it. But these things are $12-18 each! For something that could have been printed at Kinkos... Sorry.I hate to be harsh... but I had to make mention of it. It's minutia, yes, but it's tangible and I'd just like to go on record that the print process (not the art, nor the binding, nor the layout) quality is sub-par on the books I received. I just believe that only the "classic" methods such as offset and other press-style printing should be used for commercial products that are meant to be collected and used. Why do you think the original TSR stuff hold up so well? That said... Of course, if the adventures play well and the value of these go up... I will still be happy as a pig in shiznit
TheMilford wrote:We are talking about two different things... I never said anything about print coming of the pages or the quality of the paper. It's an issue of method and ultimately the look of the final products; wet ink applied by a proper commercial-grade printing press vs. dry-static-thermal ink applied with a pro/consumer-grade laser printer. It bothers me and it's pretty obvious to anybody that collects printed materials (books, magazines, vinyl record sleeves, etc.) that's it's inferior. And yes some of the old Judges Guild stuff was printed with a different type of method as well. Mimeograph Methinks. Which has also gone away thankfully. For $20, a 80-page soft-cover book should be printed on a printing press.These DCC editions are still pretty cool and still might prove to be worth it. It's just a debate over printing quality and aesthetic. I guess my standards are different...
TheMilford wrote:I agree with most of your points.I think the art-work, layout, design, look and color choices are great, It's just these three that I've received today that are indeed printed using a different method than the first DCC I bought (#4) which is of superb quality, 2nd to only the original pre-1983 TSR modules.I hope the adventures herein are equally as good as DCC#4. For me if they are, I will let the fact that they are printed using a digital printer slide Also, I was bummed that the interior maps are not printed in that same blue as the others. The Flipbook doesn't even have any printing on the inside of the jacket. BTW: all three have SUPER glossy covers.
Badmike wrote:I've heard from many sources that maps on the insides of the covers are EXPENSIVE to print, and for a one shot product like this, wouldn't be worth the expense. Mike B.