Press Kit Missing

[TheYellowArchitect]

Hello!

I am making some sort of a game library for myself, gathering all the videogames I have played in my life pretty much.
If someone wants to make a review or sth, he can't find any assets for this game easily.
But anyway, all I need is a cover art, 2:3 ratio dimensions image (e.g. 600x900 for steam library cover art, but ofc 300x450 works for what I ask), and I can't find any in the entire internet! It is rare for this, only one other game has this issue (Star Sector, masterpiece game, but has 0 marketing)
I found these 2, but I think they are horrible and not indicative of the game at all (literally random pics with logo slapped on)

[QwertyChouskie]

As far as posters go, this is probably a better one: https://web.archive.org/web/20161014065 ... r-last.jpg

Though I agree some more work needs to be put into marketing when 2.0 is nearing release.

[TheYellowArchitect]

That is a great pose for its cover art, it is accurate of the game's feel, though that whole text stuff is bloat for a cover art, but its still tiers better the above 2, so I will use that for now, thanks!

[TheYellowArchitect]

I removed the text bloat, I am posting this as a temporary cover art, in case any1 else needs this game's cover art, before an official cover art happens (e.g. 2.0 or steam release)
(600x900, 300x450, 80 quality compression for both, artifacts shouldnt be noticeable unless full-screen)

[eltomito]

Hello!
I found these 2, but I think they are horrible and not indicative of the game at all (literally random pics with logo slapped on)

I really like those two posters! If I saw either one of them as a real life poster in the street, I'd go closer to check it out and probably spend some time looking at it just to enjoy the atmosphere and the cool graphics.

[TheYellowArchitect]

The cover art must represent the game, while also being attractive. The original picture I posted doesn't show a kart (questionable vehicle) and it doesn't even have tux (the protagonist/mascot)
The second cover art, has that random woman highlighted at the center, even though I finished the game and don't know who she is. The characters are blended with the background colors, GNU especially, I only saw him just now, typing this post, I didn't notice him before...
Change the title, and my first impressions looking at it, would be this is an mobile aztec city-building game lol

Are they good posters for real life? Sure, they look good, but they don't represent the game as a cover art should. Compare with the above cover art, with the perfect pose highlighting every1 together united, and the background being blurred so as to highlight the kart. Bonus for beautiful night colors.

For the final cover art, whoever designs this, I would suggest to keep the pose intact, maybe add a few more characters like GIMP, and have brighter/kid colors instead of night-time. And ofc, remove the title above the title lol. It's perfect otherwise, certainly better than the originals - at least for the purpose of being this game's cover art, instead of generic marketing material

[eltomito]

Either way, nobody really wants to write about STK. I tried to get the attention of a local Czech gaming mag. They first thanked me for the tip but then never reviewed STK. It was about a year ago. I think they only do AAA titles and this is just not their thing. If you google SuperTuxKart review, all you get is reviews by sites dedicated to free software. No mainstream media cares a bit. Frankly, I don't think it matters. I think that STK is what it's supposed to be: a game for enthusiasts who enjoy participating in its development while also competing against each other. A new era may begin once it actually rolls out on Steam. But I'm not sure if it's ever gonna happen (licensing issues) and even then, nobody's gonna need a press kit for it So, yeah. I love the two original posters and I agree that Tux could be more foreground and facing the camera in the pyramid one. But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter because no one's ever gonna need a press kit

[TheYellowArchitect]

Well, STK has horrible first impressions (bad menu without cartoon theme, and even story looks horrible, not to mention the cringe opening cutscene)
With that alone, don't expect any "game journalists" to touch it. As for "game journalists" focusing on AAA, with gamergate and other scandals - most of them being "I will give you 600$ to review this game - but not in cash but just "travel expenses"" - mainstream game journalism is an unofficial branch of the AAA publishers.

If it rolls on Steam, it will get a lot of attention for sure, look at OpenTTD. But honestly, it needs its story mode remade (there is a thread on that) because in the end, if a game is excellent and is fun, it just can't be ignored. The reviews will come in naturally. When they do, a Press Kit will be needed, with the most basic being the cover art, often used for the video's thumbnail or intro.

[eltomito]

Well, STK has horrible first impressions (bad menu without cartoon theme,...

Did you try switching to the Modern UI? I think it's really good. Or are you saying it should be made the default?

[TheYellowArchitect]

Cartoon should be the default. It is objectively better, except in the difficulty icons.
It is insane that "Actually good menu" is hidden in the options, where the alternative is just (good) recolors of the shitty default lmao
Like, if you pass over Cartoon in the options menu, you would probably ignore it like I did, since I didn't see much of a difference (e.g. you won't press apply and go to main menu to understand the changes), and so, no1 will select it when the results are not obvious.

Not only are all its icons more intuitive, but they are pleasant to the eye and complement with each other, unlike default.

[QwertyChouskie]

Cartoon should be the default. It is objectively better, except in the difficulty icons.
It is insane that "Actually good menu" is hidden in the options, where the alternative is just (good) recolors of the shitty default lmao
Like, if you pass over Cartoon in the options menu, you would probably ignore it like I did, since I didn't see much of a difference (e.g. you won't press apply and go to main menu to understand the changes), and so, no1 will select it when the results are not obvious.

Not only are all its icons more intuitive, but they are pleasant to the eye and complement with each other, unlike default.

I created an RFC to consider changing the default: https://github.com/supertuxkart/stk-code/pull/4617

Input on that thread welcome, I personally would love Cartoon to be default, but obviously the main devs would need to agree for the default to be actually changed.

[Alayan]

The Story Mode animation cutscenes are horrible and give a terrible first impression to new players, but it's very hard to get someone competent to do quality 3D animation work, which would be needed for new updated cutscenes. It's not as if we would have rejected contributors that proposed themselves for it, not at all. But for most STK enthusiasts it doesn't make sense to take a few years to become a great 3D animator in order to contribute a few cutscenes for STK.

[NickerAban]

None here?

[forty_sham]

None here?

I don't really know how this site approaches necroposting in all circumstances, but I don't think you should just comment on random threads if you have nothing relevant to add.