Hello everyone!
I’m working on a sci-fi grand strategy game named Uncharted Sectors and I’m trying to get feedback on the capsule art.
A good capsule art should convey the game’s genre in addition to, of course, make people want to click on it. My problem is that “grand strategy” doesn’t have clear visual markers (like a hammer for crafting games for example) apart from having 1-5 bossy-looking people and a somewhat elegant title. So I have some trouble finding the sweet spot.
Could I ask you which one you feel conveys “grand strategy” the most? On which you’d be more likely to click on seeing it on Steam or another platform? Which one do you prefer? If you have improvement ideas, or other feedback?
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Not trying to be mean, just giving honest feedback here as a long-time player of grand strategy games (mainly from Paradox).
The art does not strike me as a GSG. It looks more like a mobile MMO skinner box like Mafia City. I don’t know what exactly about the characters gives me that vibe, I don’t know if I can explain it.
Generally speaking, I don’t think there is a universal GSG logo style. The Victoria logo looks steampunk, Crusader Kings looks medieval and knightly, Stellaris is just generic sci-fi, etc. I’m no graphic designer, but maybe less of a focus on GSG and more on what else your game is about might be a good idea?
You’re not being mean, on the contrary it’s exactly what I’m after :)
That’s an interesting remark, and it’s quite saddening that you cannot pinpoint what bothers you with the characters style, that would have been a tremendous help haha
I agree, the genre doesn’t have very defined codes. I’m trying to evoke it still because clearly it’s grand strategy players that are the most likely to like the game, to buy it and wishlist it. And for a game to be successful in our era of algorithms, it must show the best possible response from the audience to be pushed further. As I’d like to make the best game possible and be able to improve it over time, the most success it has, the more time and money I can spend on it.
In any case, you’ve given me an area to think about, nobody pointed the characters as potentially problematic for genre recognition before. I’ll investigate that further.
Thank you for your input :)
That’s an interesting remark, and it’s quite saddening that you cannot pinpoint what bothers you with the characters style, that would have been a tremendous help haha
Having another stab at more clearly identifying it, I think it’s the cartoony look and clearly foregrounded positioning implying that your character/avatar will be an important part of the game, combined with the nods to another genre going on in the background.
Had a quick look at the store page, and it looks like planet development and construction queues are an integral part of the game. Maybe foregrounding some interesting planets might be a better idea? Either that or going for some more clearly sci-fi character looks rather than just vaguely aristocratic.
EDIT: Sci-fi GSG example:
I see, a bit too unfocused maybe then. I’ll grind my gears on it. Thank you very much for taking the time :)
Here’s a non-paradox example of an excellent sci-fi GSG I adore:
It immediately gets across the core concept: it’s space, you have spaceships, you’re based on Earth. Dunno if that’s helpful or not, I just don’t see the “1-5 bossy people” thing you’re talking about in the post.
You’re right, I was mostly looking at Paradox games. And even though Stellaris which is a big one doesn’t follow the “rule”. I guess there are no rules haha
I think it’s because the characters (specially the left one) are looking down the viewer. Contrast:
Mafia City’s banner. One of the characters is even raising his head, as if saying “I’m above you”. Note how it feels really similar to OP’s banner.
EU4, Third Rome DLC. (Using it as example as it’s in the same genre as OP’s game.) Peter the Great is also looking at the viewer; but unlike the above he has a resting/calm face, and his body position makes it feel like he’s showing the background to the viewer, as if saying “look, this is my Russia”.
Bottom one, but “sectors” without the additional dashes and the same font size. Keep the “A” format that is actually an upside-down “V”. The background logo or badge thing implies some kind of coalition or structured group of some kind.
The intent of my suggestion is to make the title appear to lean forward just a hair, putting more focus on “uncharted” first and forcing the eye to drift down. In the above picture, I read “sectors” first. (“uncharted” implies something mysterious, where as “sectors” doesn’t mean much.)
I also happen to be viewing this in grey scale as really should be sleeping and not typing on my phone. That has the unfortunate effect of making the characters under-nose shadows look like really weird mustaches.
That’s my interpretation, so take with a grain of salt.
Thank you for your detailed feedback! I’ll try a version like that, those are really good points.
And I never saw the Chaplin mustaches before, but it’s indeed something I could polish haha
I wish you a good night then :)
Glad I could help!
I feel like the main problem is that there’s no rhyme or connection between the elements in the capsule. For example, I don’t see any association between the characters in the foreground and the spaceship + planet in the background.
The font in #2 looks way better than in #1, but the dividing line and the dashes feel completely pointless.
Both characters look angry at the viewer. As if saying “you’re a disappointment”. It would be better if they had a neutral face, or if they focused on something else (like the background). And do you really need two of them?
Is the hexagon supposed to represent any gameplay element? Or is it just decoration? It looks cool, though.
Side note I checked the Steam page for your game. It gives me “Stellaris meets RimWorld” vibes, this is seriously awesome. I’m following it, this sort of game is just my cup of tea. :3
You’re right, it is too unfocused. The hexagon is mostly to signify “strategy game”, though the sector map is on an hexagon grid too so it’s selling what the game is I guess.
I’m glad you like the concept :)
I made a new version, posted in comment. Since you’re interested in the game, might I ask for your opinion on it?
IMO the new version is clearly the best of all three, and all changes improved it - better contrast, a more consistent colour palette (mostly dark purple vs. white), less clutter. The name of your game is now standing out way more, too.
Alea jacta est then, this one it is! Thanks again for your feedback :)
So I’ve made this version, taking into account various feedback from everyone. I also added a border to make it pop a bit more. It definitely gives a different vibe, it’s probably better, but I’d gladly take your feedback on this iteration too!
Edit: And here’s the version without Hitler’s mustache:
Coolness! I like the revision and I especially like the depth the border gives to the image. It makes it look like the characters are sitting at a negotiation table and waiting for an answer from the viewer.
It took me a few days to realize why I liked your choice of font for the"A" and why it had a space feel. Subconscious things like that can really sell an image in short amount of time.
Haha I didn’t even think of that, but indeed! I’m glad you like it, and thanks for the shared aha moment
