The Forge Archives

Folks, let's talk about Color. In a couple of recent threads, I brought up exploration of Color In one instance, I referenced it as part of a larger point. In the other, I claimed that artwork in game publications (i.e. games, game books, etc.) were "instructions on Color" for the players in the way that text rules are "instructions on system, etc." for the players.

While I'm interested to know whether others consider art as "instrutions on Color" or even that I'm using Color in the right terms, I'm more interested in Color in general.

Ron defines Color in the GNS essay:

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Color: any details or illustrations or nuances that provide atmosphere.

Cool. I can dig that. And yet, it seems to me we've discussed Color very little overall.

Color exists in all games to some degree. It is a matter of Exploration, and therefore, accroding to Ron's model, present in all Creative Agendas.

I would like to see some more specific discussion on what constitutes "atmosphere." I mean, I think we all know what it is, and I'm not especially intereted in "My CoC Keeper threw live spiders at us once!" kind of stuff unless we can show how the specfics help us all understand Color better.

A few talking points:

* I once made a post that indicated my belief that gamerdom's fascination (despite their inability to talk about it successfully) with Color was a major, major contributing factor to the general trend of "System doesn't matter." Specifically, I referenced many high-Color settings created for AD&D 2nd edition. Notable examples are Dark Sun and Planescape, both of which features astounding artwork by a number of artists, especially Brom (Dark Sun) and Tony Diterlizzi (Planescape). I consider those two settings' artwork sets as some of the most outstanding "instructions on Color" available in the history of gaming. I have specific instances of play in which fellow players said, "Look at that kick ass picture! I want to play that guy." And they did. And so did I. Everway took this one step further by including artwork overtly into the system of the game. This is, to me, the single strongest use of Color in a "system does matter" context.

Oh yeah, the talking point: Does Color get "less attention" because it may have had something to do with "system doesn't matter"? Or, do you even agree that Color gets less attention here? Why so, either way?

* How do you, as a player in a real group, handle Color with that group? I'm especially interested as it relates to indie games, particularly those with little or no artwork. Do you talk about it? Do you reference other media for examples? Ron, for example, put together an amazing "white paper" / handout for his modern necromancer Sorcerer sessions available here.

* How do you define Color, especially in "real" terms as it relates to your games and your fellow players?

* Does Color get you jazzed about actually playing a game? At what point? Is it the first thing? The last thing? Are you not particularly interested in Color?

To kick it off, I am especially interested in Color. It's often the first thing that gets me jazzed about a game. I consider a game's artwork as crucial in defining among the players of that game the "what you do" of Color. That is, artwork makes it clear to the players the tone and atmosphere that's appropriate to this game. Hence, Rod Anderson's scratchy, sketchy illustrations in Dust Devils and Jon Hodgson's "beast within" cover. They make it clear that this game, Dust Devils, is meant to be gritty and loaded with dark, devilish themes that border on, but do not become, supernatural evil (the Devil).

I think it's possible that Color is "looked down on" for urging "system doesn't matter," but I think it's more likely that Color is often not talked about because -- here's the perhaps controversial bit -- people aren't equipped to talk about Color in specific terms. They either feel unable to comment on "art" or they use analogy to convey Color. ("It's Starship Troopers meets Josie and the Pussycats." "Um, say what?" or "Far out! I'm so there!")

Quote* Does Color get you jazzed about actually playing a game? At what point? Is it the first thing? The last thing? Are you not particularly interested in Color?

I know that Color, and in particular artwork, can completely change my interest in a game.  A genre that I normally have only vague interest in, say historical-based swords and intrigue, completely comes to life for me if I see a good dynamic picture of fencers dueling or swinging on chandeliers.

I can't conjure up a really good example from rpgs, but here's an example that comes to mind from computer games.

I've played lots of first-person shooters, and I enjoy them.  At one point I played a Star Wars based FPS.  It was well designed, but the stuff that thrilled me the most was shooting a blaster and having it make authentic Star Wars Blaster Noises(tm).  Lightsabers went *whoom*, doors opened the way they do in the movies, and the architecture was the OSHA nightmare of rail-less catwalks and bottomless pits.  But for this, it would have been entirely forgetable.  Instead I remember it fondly and years later, I still poke around in bargain bins from time to time to see if there's a copy.  I think this is the power of Color.

QuoteOh yeah, the talking point: Does Color get "less attention" because it may have had something to do with "system doesn't matter"? Or, do you even agree that Color gets less attention here? Why so, either way?

Color may be tied to System Doesn't Matter in may minds, but I think its an entirely incorrect assumption.  For example, if you've gotten me all excited to play a swashbuckling duelist thanks to your cool artwork, and the system results in plodding fights that reward conservative tactics and focus on realism, interest will be rapidly replaced with disappointment.  In olden days, I might even incorrectly place the blame on the Color or genre.  "Oh, I guess I really don't like historical stuff after all, because of course System Doesn't Matter, so it can't be that the system is ruining my fun."

Alex

Hello,

The thread to check out, before continuing here, is How does one explore Colour?, which contains many links to older threads as well.

Best,
Ron