Custom Spines - Requests Welcome

[Seraph Man]

Wow, looks fantastic! I think the head in the background looks great!

Are you using Photoshop? If so here's a few suggestions, based on how I've done my spines. First I'd actually go to Levels and push the far left triangle (of the 3 there) over to the right just a bit to darken the darks on X and Zero and make them stand out a bit more. Then I'd probably remove the thin white line around them. The way I prefer to do that is selecting all the areas around them with the magic wand, then going to Select>Modify>Expand, and setting it to 1 pixel. Then if you hit delete the white lines should be gone, and if it isn't you can try it again. Finally I'd actually give them a small black stroke each, maybe of 2 pixels or so. I find that when making these with pictures that are essentially cartoons, it helps to give them that slight border to help them pop without being distracting. You can see it if you look closely at each character on my Mega Man spine set. You could also maybe give each game title a slight drop shadow (maybe set to like 60%), but it could go either way for me.

By the way, if I want to pick up a good first Mega Man game for me to get into the series, but I have only an SNES, no NES, what game(s) would you suggest?

Holy helpful tips Batman! I'll be sure to try out your suggestions.

My all-time favorite game is Mega Man X for the SNES, which is putting it on too high a pedestal for some. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic game with a fair level of difficulty, and is always a part of any top 100 SNES list.

[irvgotti452]

Mega man X is a good first start. But its in the "New era" of mega man. Basically a future version of the original story. But get your hands on an nes and the original 6 and a notepad if u want a frustrating challenge and laugh.

[TyrannicalFascist]

Sounds like a good starting point on SNES. I've considered getting an NES at some point (my first system was an SNES), but I'm not sure how to go about getting one to work with my hdtv - I could get the original, but I understand they don't always work well, I could get the Top-loader, but it doesn't have AV cables, I could get a clone system but most wont work as well as a real NES, and I even considered the Super 8/Tristar to play NES on my SNES, but then I couldn't use NES controllers and peripherals... I also considered Wii Virtual Console, but the fact that I'm here kind of means I prefer cartridges. 

I'm still looking into more custom spines I could do, so I'm open to any suggestions. I was thinking I might take a look at Kirby on GB/GBC/GBA/DS at some point.

[soundwave925]

I'm still looking into more custom spines I could do, so I'm open to any suggestions. I was thinking I might take a look at Kirby on GB/GBC/GBA/DS at some point.

Well since your throwing it out there.....

Iv always thought that the dragon quest spines could use some more flare. Their pretty boring to look at



I dont have DQ VI or IX yet, witch are even more bland than this, but I do plan on getting them eventually.
Would you be able to create custom spines to fit more with the dragon warrior spines? I dont know if you play the games at all, but they are some of my favorite RPGs of all time and I think they deserve a bit more curb appeal.

I was thinking each spine could have the exact logo thats on the front cover with the colors to match. No in-game characters would be necessary, just a nice span of those awesome logos

Dragon Quest IV = Hot Pink
Dragon Quest V = Dark Blue
Dragon Quest VI = Red
Dragon Quest IX = Light Blue

If you want to throw in the Dragon Warrior Spines to match too that would be awesome

Dragon Warrior I & II = Yellow
Dragon Warrior III = Green?(i know its yellow too but green just to be different)

What do you think, is this be doable? Thank you

[Seraph Man]

The spine is complete! Many thanks to TyrannicalFascist for the extra photoshop tips (they really came in handy). As always, you can download it here or here. I'll be working on the Zero series next (and maybe Zx afterwards, depends), so it's something to look forward to. I'm considering two versions:

Version 1
Z1: Phantom
Z2: Harpuia
Z3: Leviathan
Z4: Fefnir

Version 2
Z1: Copy X
Z2: Elpizo
Z3: Omega (either MK. I or MK. IV)
Z4: Weil

[TyrannicalFascist]

@Seraph Man: Wow, that turned out great! glad I could help. I'm self-taught in Photoshop over the last 12 or so years, though I did take a print design class in my bachelor's degree program. So I've learned a few "cheats" here and there...   Can't wait to see the Zero and ZX series. Is it bad that the completionist in me now wants to buy these games just to print the spines out? (and play the games of course)  

Just out of curiosity, from what I've read the Zero series is a sort of continuation/spinoff of the X series. You used Zero in Xtreme 2, but maybe it would be cool if you extended the rest of his picture (his arm and hair) into the first spine of Z1 with the other character on top? So even though the background would change, it'd look like one continuous cast shot for Xtreme and Zero, since he's the common connection. You could always have it as an alternate for Z1 and it wouldn't affect your other spines either way.

@soundwave925: Sounds doable I think. I'll just have to take a look at the corresponding covers, and I'll take a stab at it.

[TyrannicalFascist]

Sorry to double post, but I wanted to show what I have. Here's how it's looking so far with the spines for DW3-DQ9. I'm working on cleaning up the DW 1&2 logo as best I can right now, so that'll be included later.



It was very hard to read the subtitles on the first 3 Dragon Quest games, particularly IV, so I recreated the subtitles in a similar font with colored stroke to what was used in Dragon Quest IX so it would match. Unfortunately the Dragon Quest IV and V logos will have to be cut off, either at the top or bottom. They're both cut off at the top now, so I'd like your ideas on if I should center them and cut some of the roman numeral off or what.

I think it would be nice to have something in the background, maybe a sky that has the opacity really far down so it's barely visible behind the color backgrounds? It's your call. Also tell me if you want the colors changed, and if you can provide color samples that's even better.  

I'm also starting to think about the main platforming Kirby games for my next spine set. Since the order is debatable, I think I'll do it like my Sonic spines again. Here's my idea so far:

-Kirby's Dreamland - Kirby
-Kirby's Dreamland 2 - Rick the Hamster
-Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland - King Dedede
-Kirby & the Amazing Mirror - Dark Meta Knight or Dark Mind or Master Hand or colored Kirbys?
-Kirby: Canvas Curse - Drawcia
-Kirby: Squeak Squad - Daroach
-Kirby: Super Star Ultra - Meta Knight
-Kirby: Mass Attack - Necrodeus or multiple Kirbys

Suggestions appreciated!

[Seraph Man]

I'm also starting to think about the main platforming Kirby games for my next spine set. Since the order is debatable, I think I'll do it like my Sonic spines again. Here's my idea so far:

-Kirby's Dreamland - Kirby
-Kirby's Dreamland 2 - Rick the Hamster
-Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland - King Dedede
-Kirby & the Amazing Mirror - Dark Meta Knight or Dark Mind or Master Hand or colored Kirbys?
-Kirby: Canvas Curse - Drawcia
-Kirby: Squeak Squad - Daroach
-Kirby: Super Star Ultra - Meta Knight
-Kirby: Mass Attack - Necrodeus or multiple Kirbys

Suggestions appreciated!

I'm not sure I like the idea of having bosses on Kirby Spines. I definately like the idea of the colored Kirbys maybe bunched up together for Amazing Mirror, and a dog pile of Kirbys for Mass Attack. Of course, you'd have to find the images that match what it looks like in my head, which may or may not exist.

[TyrannicalFascist]

I'm not sure I like the idea of having bosses on Kirby Spines. I definately like the idea of the colored Kirbys maybe bunched up together for Amazing Mirror, and a dog pile of Kirbys for Mass Attack. Of course, you'd have to find the images that match what it looks like in my head, which may or may not exist.

Hmm. While I'd personally prefer different characters to represent each game like I did for Sonic, I do like the idea of an all-Kirby set too. He certainly has enough forms/abilities that it could be done. I'll probably make two sets to choose from then, since I like making alternates!

How about:

-Kirby's Dreamland - Kirby
-Kirby's Dreamland 2 - Kirby on Rick or Ice Kirby?
-Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland - Sword Kirby or Fire Kirby?
-Kirby & the Amazing Mirror - Colored Kirbys
-Kirby: Canvas Curse - Ball Kirby (with rainbow track somewhat visible below)
-Kirby: Squeak Squad - Kirby & Treasure Chest or Spark Kirby?
-Kirby: Super Star Ultra - Beam Kirby
-Kirby: Mass Attack - Multiple Kirbys

[soundwave925]

It was very hard to read the subtitles on the first 3 Dragon Quest games, particularly IV, so I recreated the subtitles in a similar font with colored stroke to what was used in Dragon Quest IX so it would match. Unfortunately the Dragon Quest IV and V logos will have to be cut off, either at the top or bottom. They're both cut off at the top now, so I'd like your ideas on if I should center them and cut some of the roman numeral off or what.

I think it would be nice to have something in the background, maybe a sky that has the opacity really far down so it's barely visible behind the color backgrounds? It's your call. Also tell me if you want the colors changed, and if you can provide color samples that's even better.  

hhhhhhmmmm..... how about if the backgrounds are black with the roman numerals at the end of the title?

Or if the roman numerals were lined up similar to the style of Shenske's Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary covers.

[TyrannicalFascist]

That is possible, but would it be redundant since the roman numerals are in the title art as well? Or would you want the individual titles replaced with the generic Dragon Warrior/Quest logo and roman numerals below instead?

EDIT: Seraph Man sent me his PSD for his excellent Mega Man Xtreme spines so I could make EU-width versions and asked me to share them with everyone. I only had my own custom Game Boy Color spine that I modified for my EU-width spines that I've been using, but it shouldn't be hard to replace if you prefer the black style logo. I also have a version with the option of Capcom logos at the bottom to match my earlier Mega Man spines. All available on my box.net, in my signature.

[soundwave925]

That is possible, but would it be redundant since the roman numerals are in the title art as well? Or would you want the individual titles replaced with the generic Dragon Warrior/Quest logo and roman numerals below instead?

yah thats true.... how difficult would it be to keep the logs the same but just remove the roman numerals from them, then add them at the bottom of the title? I can tell it might be tricky because of the swirly graphics that overlap on DQ V.

If you dont think its a good idea then maybe at least just different background, like black or something.

[TyrannicalFascist]

That is possible, but would it be redundant since the roman numerals are in the title art as well? Or would you want the individual titles replaced with the generic Dragon Warrior/Quest logo and roman numerals below instead?

yah thats true.... how difficult would it be to keep the logs the same but just remove the roman numerals from them, then add them at the bottom of the title? I can tell it might be tricky because of the swirly graphics that overlap on DQ V.

If you dont think its a good idea then maybe at least just different background, like black or something.

It might be possible - I'll look into it. If I can't do that, I'll give it the black background.

I've also just come to find out there's one Mega Man game for Game Gear, so I decided to make a spine for it. You can either go with Mega Man, or if you want a different character that isn't on the Game Boy collection, I have a Dr. Wily option as well. Up on my box.net in US and EU sizes.

[soundwave925]

oooooo well im fine with mega man because I keep my game gear games on a separate shelf from my gameboy games anyway.

I havnt started using DS cases for game gear yet but im very interested, how do you mod them?

[TyrannicalFascist]

Well since I use EU DS cases I can just slip them in the large booklet clips and they actually kind of lock in place!  I think there's mod instructions for Game Gear in US DS cases here: http://www.thecoverproject.net/forums/index.php?topic=1866.0

Here's a very rough mockup of just the Dragon Quest spines (working on DW logos). I went in and carefully removed the numerals and put it over a black background. I'd probably resize the titles to all match, but this is just a general work-in-progress idea of what it could look like. I also wondered what you think of the barely visible sky idea in the background?