Advertise your arcs with style!

Thanks Soul. I just read back through this thread and thought I should clarify something for everyone else, as they haven't been privy to the ongoing PMs/tells between us:

Originally, back in June, I requested a poster for my arc "A Mythos of Mystical Mysteries" (ID 84285), one of two MA arcs I had completed at that time (both of which I created, tested and published in the space of two weeks).

However by the time Soul could begin making a poster for me (early September) I had completed my third MA arc: "Overshadowed by History" (which I spent more than a month on - creating, testing and balancing) - I felt that this newer arc was more deserving of a poster because a) it's by far my best arc story-wise, and b) it needed advertising as it wasn't getting as many playthroughs as my other two arcs (my second arc got played by people who loved my first arc, but my third arc was completed much later so I think it missed out on any early goodwill/buzz I earned with "Mythos...").

So instead of a poster of a death cult in a graveyard, Soul's brief changed to creating a poster of a lady in a red dress fleeing from a Nictus along a street/alleyway. I also wanted the poster done in a film noir style to reflect that the arc is influenced by events in the past and has some darker overtones.

All in all I think Soul did a fantastic job - by changing the location from a street/alley to tunnels it makes the lady's plight more scary and claustrophobic (she's the contact for the arc btw), and Soul's interpretation suits the arc better as some of it takes place in tunnels (Council base maps). And Soul also found a great way to fit the Council symbol into the image, something my friend/SG-mate and I didn't notice at first glance, but saw when studying the pic more closely - very clever.

Thanks again, Soul - I've changed my forum sig to include the poster and give you due credit for it - cheers!

Thank you for your kind words, Lord Mayhem.

I seem to be saying this a lot in this thread, but it's been quite hectic in real life recently and on top of that I've had either Swine Flu or the worst flu I've ever had! Either way I've not been able to devote enough time to do another poster, but that should be fixed soon.

Just letting you guys know I'm not dead yet

Okay well I've fully recovered from my bout of Swine/Bad Flu and to show I'm all better I've done another poster. The only thing is, that the Author has requested I don't post it yet becaus he is re-developing the storyline, so I will be given the go-ahead at the right time and you guys can see it then.

Sorry about that guys... Onto the next one!

Wow it's been a long time. You can find out where I've been here. But fear not I am still alive and I'm still doing the posters for your fine arcs!

The last arc I was up to was Electro-Cute and I had completed this at the end of last year but the author was planning to re-do the arc and so requested me to not post it for a while. Then I took a little break and since I've gotten the go-ahead to post it.

Next up is Bubba's. I promise it won't take nearly as long for this!

Welcome back, Soul - very stylish poster.

Ironically the arc I originally asked you to do a poster for, "A Mythos of Mystical Mysteries", was awarded Dev Choice a few weeks ago - I felt a little bit of retrospective guilt that I switched you over to making a poster for my other arc instead, so I made sure I gave you a mention in the "thanks" section of my first post on the Dev Choice thread

I can't wait to see more of your posters. Glad to see you back.

great worrk on previous posters. I'd like to submit mine, too, if you aen't too busy.

well,I have two to submit. one is the result o the other, and they're both part of a series of arcs about the villain that I'm writing. you can either make a poster for one of them, or perhaps make a more generalized poster for the series at large

Circuit Breaker {Fathom, part I}
Arc ID: 360268
Morality: Heroic
4 missions, AV, EB. custom group

When an anonymous genius Hacks his way past Longbow's best security measures, Agent Drive contacts you to help uncoverr a plot that threatens to engulf the planet. who is the elusive Fathom? and to what lengths will he go to ensure that his plan succeeds.

for a poster of this, mayhaps a central circle can radiate electricity which arcs and frames key elements (computer screen, agent Drive, maybe one or more of the custom mobs, but not Fathom himself, please. Maybe in silhouette, if you feels so inclined.) apologies if that's too tall an order.

second arc...

(In)Justice {Fathom, Part II}
Arc ID: 378095
Morality: Heroic
4 missions, 1 boss. custom group, longbow, PPD, and samples of the following: Neuron robots, Vanguard shield, 5th column, Council, malta (no sappers)

Something has gone terribly wrong. when you interrvened at a metahuman attack, someone was waiting for you. they knew what to say. they knew who you were. now, you're on the run from he law... and from the justice of Fathom (only makes sense if played some time after circuit breaker)

if you make a poster of this, a feeling of "on the run from the law" would be nice. helicopters with searchlights, police storming alleyways, etc, with a pairn of eyes malevolently overlooking the whole thing. and also, with the title itself, if at all possible, can you have "justice" be in bold, typed letters, with "in" scrawled on in front of it?

thanks. tell me if I'm being to presumptuous.

oh! I akkmost forgot, both arcs are by Sundiver.(note the period at the end of the name.).

Edit: on closer examination, both arcs are actually by @white Arrow.

I've had a look at your work on here Soul Storm and, not only do you have the name of the coolest looking power in the game, but you also make some very impressive stuff! So, if you'd be so kind...

The Alien Tyrant
ID#357388
It's about trying to topple an evil empire by instigating a rebellion and eventually taking on the Emperor himself.
You could probably make this like a Nazi-propaganda poster or something, perhaps the Emperor's face faded in the background with a formation of troops below it? I dunno, I'm open to your interpretation of it.

I wouldn't normally use a poster, but zero plays is really starting to get to me. I also learned my lesson long ago about trying to make nice things in Paint.


Arc Title:Operation Oedipus: Glory of our Empire (part 1 of 2)
Arc ID: 372767
Factions: Malta
Morality: Heroic
Length: 5 missions
Level Range: 41-54
Synopsis: Malta's made a dangerous enemy. A man called Vasiliy says he knows how to take down the most dangerous organisation in Paragon City, and he needs your help to do it. Is it possible, and will it be worth the cost? (warning: grim)

Arc Title:Operation Oedipus: Day of Infamy (part 2 of 2)
Arc ID: 375443
Factions: Malta
Morality: Heroic
Length: 4 missions
Level Range: 41-54
Synopsis: Malta's been hurt, but desperation makes for a deadly foe. Will you do what it takes to finish the job, and can you trust a man out for revenge at any cost? (warning: grim)

Two arcs, but effectively the one story, so one poster for both together. Something along the lines of an eighties spy novel cover, more gritty than pulp. A hint of nuclear theming would suit. Also, Malta, given the entire arc is about them.

Alright guys! We have been moved! Instead of the Player Help section, I've requested we were moved over to the actual 'advertising' MA section in the For Fun! part of the boards. Success!

I've been busy once more (sounds like I keep saying that, but I really have!) and gone through the entire thread and reformatted it so that on every arc poster there is a small thumbnail image that you can then click to go to my DA page for that image; I figured it gives you the option to comment either there or here. Choice is good! I also added the thumbnail previews of my own 2 arcs in the OP in order to quickly show you the kind of stuff we're looking at here.

As I was looking through the thread it seemed that there was a lot of me saying 'ooh I've been busy' or 'oh noes! I've had Swine flu!' and honestly I'm not making up excuses guys. This is something I choose to do as a bit of 'creative relief' im my own down time so I'm sorry if the posters aren't comin' as thick and quick as expected but I'm doin' my best and I'm learning along the way too!

With all that said I'm happy to be able to show you the next poster, which is for Bubbawheat!

He wanted the poster to feature the custom enemies that he'd made in the arc but not to feature the actual protagonist. I set about trying to get some inspiration for the poster and finally settled on a format that included the custom enemies and the source behind the power of the arc. I worked at it in an evening for a bit, and then the vision took hold. Instead of studying for my ongoing exams I spent the entire next day doing the poster. At the end of that day I gave Bubba a poster that featured a similar format to what you see below but it was focused on a set of heroes (@Rent, @Red Yellow Guy, @Cait Rua, @Sapphic Neko and @Effy from Union) that were about to tear through the enemies. This, as Bubba rightly pointed out, put the focus on the players characters instead of on the actual arc itself so I went back to the drawing board and then some more heroes (@Sgt_MP_Lawrence, @Mandos and @Thyristor) dressed up as plain clothes civillians and I added them in, as if they were trying to sneak around the enemies. (Oh! And without the advice I got from @Saphi I would dare say this poster would be in very different shape!)

Without further ado, click below for a bigger image of the poster as per usual:

One more side note that applies to those yet to receive your poster or even to request one, as well as those that have already gotten one: the idea is that you then post about your own arc on the forums somewhere with the poster image, then you either talk about your arc or get feedback or whatever you want to do. That's the motivation behind these posters.

Good to see you back in business Soul Storm

that one for matchstick women is incredible. ENVY!

and thank for doing this, storm (or do you prefer soul? or maybe "my liege"?)

My arc's below are actually one storyline. It involves Blood, Demons, Vampires and time travel.

Would love to see youre take on them...

Wait, and you don't want anything in return? O.o *rereads*

Hey guys, I'm still here don't worry! I've gotten no reply from theHedoren so I'm gonna skip over his request for the moment and get back to it should he reply. I also realised I never did one for @Beyond Reach at the time so I've been in touch with him and I'm working on that.

As for the next poster you'll see? That'll probably be one for Clave_Dark_5 who I've just gotten in contact with again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorParadox that one for matchstick women is incredible. ENVY! and thank for doing this, storm (or do you prefer soul? or maybe "my liege"?)

Soul would be great, I definitely don't need 'my liege'

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkarmoryThePG Wait, and you don't want anything in return? O.o *rereads*

Nah I'm doing it to keep me creatively entertained as well as trying to promote the MA more, so I don't need/want anything in return for it. Should you decide you WANT to give me something... well who am I to step in the way of that?!

Hello Soulie.

I would like my arc, "A Heart Breaking Story", to receive your talented graphical treatment please.

Arc ID 378511
Level range 5-10

If you can fit the following into the image then I'd be exceptionally thrilled:

A radioactive symbol, a Vazhilok Eidolon, a Council gunner (lower levels), the Hero Corps symbol.

Not too much to ask (!) I hope.

Rumours of my death have been, once again, greatly exaggerated.

I know its been a while since my last poster but I've recently been having quite a hectic time what with being slap bang in the middle of my final exams as well as a lot going on generally I've just had no free time to be able to get any posters done and what time I could afford, I used to enter the Declare Your Loyalty contest, which I am still shocked I was one of the winners in!

The next person to get the poster treatment is Clave Dark 5! When I PM'd him he told me he wanted a different arc advertised to the one he posted in this thread. I played through it a while ago and over time brewed up the poster you see today. I hope I can get some more done soon, enjoy...

If you're still in the poster-doing business, sir, I'd very much like to see if you could do one more!

My global is @Tubbius.

The arc's title is "Hammer and Sickle of Paragon City", arc ID 351727. It stars the heroes being called in to study the disappearance of two Soviet-era agents turned heroes named American Hammer and New York Sickle. It turns out they've been captured by the 5th Column, who are secretly wanting to use them as part of a plot involving a chemical weapons attack on the Council. It's up to the heroes to stop all the madness!

As for a basic idea of the poster appearance itself. . . you can see what the two signature characters look like in the arc itself. I'm a sucker for simple elegance; I'd be pleased with a single shot of the two of them standing centered in the image, back to back, facing opposite sides of the frame--something similar, I suppose, to the Mr. and Mrs. Smith movie poster, but with much more severity and boldness to it. In a shot like this, the two of them would be in a position similar to two gunfighters about to duel in the Old West, each one being totally focused on his or her own next moves.

Alternatively, a shot of just the two of them going at it could work, perhaps. Either way it goes, I think I'm picturing them with American Hammer on the left, New York Sickle on the right, and the Hammer and Sickle logo in the background, larger than life. Depending on lighting and overall use of color, a solid white or a solid black background might work best--it's hard to say off the top of my head. They each have a little too much red in their outfits for a red background to really work, in my opinion.

Too much? Too specific? Don't have time to knock it out? Would rather not tackle it? Can't get things in the poses mentioned above and need to set things up differently? That's all A-OK. Just let me know what you think, if it sounds like something you'd try out!

Thanks a million for even considering such!