BYOAC 2004 Custom Token Design Thread.

[Santoro]

I am going to post two polls - one to decide Brass vs Silver (Nickel) and another to decide if we need to go further since many think what we have is superb already.

I guess I will put them in the Artwork Forum.

[DPsx7]

Do you know the cost of upgrading to nickel? Also, I'm not sure how you plan to do the voting, but try to make it so we can pick from a group of fronts and group of backs. Instead of having a front/back pair, if you know what I mean.

[Pixelhugger]

Not meaning to complicate things, but if we do poll on designs, we should keep the actual tag lines (slogans) as a separate poll. I think some people favor one design over another solely because of the slogans, which could be applied to any design. It'll get convoluted if people try vote for a design with disclaimers on text content.

$.02

[KevSteele]

Not meaning to complicate things, but if we do poll on designs, we should keep the actual tag lines (slogans) as a separate poll. I think some people favor one design over another solely because of the slogans, which could be applied to any design. It'll get convoluted if people try vote for a design with disclaimers on text content.

$.02

I agree completely - the designs are fantastic, and some of the final bickering will be over the text on the sides, which isn't really related to the actual artwork.

Kevin

[Santoro]

I don't dare start a sixth thread about these tokens for slogans now, the moderators will probably kill me.  Why don't we do that next after we finish voting on the color?

Whatd'ya think?

On a non-related note, I prefer the stippling on both sides.

[KevSteele]

I don't dare start a sixth thread about these tokens for slogans now, the moderators will probably kill me.  Why don't we do that next after we finish voting on the color?

Whatd'ya think?

On a non-related note, I prefer the stippling on both sides.

I agree - I like the stippling.

Hey, the only gripe I really have is the "good for extended play" line, which I just don't quite "get."

All of this is relatively minor, but perhaps once the designs are finalized we can have a separate poll for the slogan.

One poll at a time...

Kevin

[robbiec]

The stippling rocks!!

how do you make those pictures?

what if u used the phrases like

Better living through gaming

bringing the classics back to life

building your memories

or eat dots now!

[Chris]

Not sure if that would make imaging the super small type details harder for them. Tho' I guess if they are working from vector files as opposed to raster, it shouldn't make a difference  

They are asking for camera-ready art, so I think this is a raster thing.

I notice their parent company suggests Adobe Illustrator files for their higher-end stuff... have you offered them an AI file?

[Chris]

The stippling rocks!!

how do you make those pictures?

what if u used the phrases like

Better living through gaming

bringing the classics back to life

building your memories

or eat dots now!

Most of these will not fit in the available space.

[Santoro]

No, but I can...  I will send a note to see if it helps them.

[Pixelhugger]

Oh, man that'd be the way to go from a quality standpoint. Much cleaner from a vector file I'd imagine. Santoro - I'll email you one in a few hours

[Chris]

Oh, man that'd be the way to go from a quality standpoint. Much cleaner from a vector file I'd imagine. Santoro - I'll email you one in a few hours

Are you going to send him both sides, or do I need to send one?

The text in the one I sent you has been converted to curves, just in case they don't have the exact same font.

[Santoro]

Thanks guys.

[eb]

Yeah, the "Good for extended play" is a little odd. I think there's some merit to attributing a value to it, like a coin, which is why I added the "One Credit" bit to my (admittedly not too exciting) submission. That clearly makes it currency for games.

Also, any reason why people are ignoring the option to go aluminum tokens as opposed to nickel plated brass? The option is there... the only thing I can think of is they weigh less, which would lower shipping, but perhaps give them a less chunky coin feel... it would cost less to produce too. Just a thought.

http://www.tokensdirect.com/Page3.html

[Chris]

Hey, the only gripe I really have is the "good for extended play" line, which I just don't quite "get."

Kev!  You're older than I am!   Didn't you live to get extended play?

"Extended Play" is the same concept as "Game not over".

If we must put a "slogan" there instead of something token-appropriate, how about something at least related to tokens/coins?

"COIN UP AND PLAY"

[Chris]

Also, any reason why people are ignoring the option to go aluminum tokens as opposed to nickel plated brass? The option is there... the only thing I can think of is they weigh less, which would lower shipping, but perhaps give them a less chunky coin feel... it would cost less to produce too. Just a thought.

Aluminum feels cheap and is easily scratched and damaged.  I personally would not buy the tokens if they were aluminum.

[eb]

That's all I needed to know. Cheers Chris

[Santoro]

Also, any reason why people are ignoring the option to go aluminum tokens as opposed to nickel plated brass? The option is there... the only thing I can think of is they weigh less, which would lower shipping, but perhaps give them a less chunky coin feel... it would cost less to produce too. Just a thought.

Aluminum feels cheap and is easily scratched and damaged.  I personally would not buy the tokens if they were aluminum.

They also get pitted and dull.  I wouldn't buy them either.

[Chris]

That's all I needed to know. Cheers Chris

I'm not sure the mech will take them, either.  My understanding is that aluminum tokens are used for hand-to-hand exchange where one might ordinarily use a plastic token or ticket, or used as promotional items.

[Chris]

(remember these are simulations, actual tokens may not be this shiny!)

For reference, here's a look at brand new tokens from another thread (although the lighting isn't great):
(EDIT: Removed picture as it was making thread hard to read.)

[MinerAl]

Just out of curiousity, how would the "back" (tails?) look with the Y Guy and cabinet stippled, and the background smoov?

I would like to have a separate slogan poll, as I too am not fond of the extended play thing.  I could live with it, but I'd prefer something else.

[Matt, GoC]

Dude, I go to work, and there are THREE more pages of posts when I get home!  Wow!  These designs just keep getting better and better.  I really want some tokens now!  I really like the stipling on both sides.  It really adds definition in my book.  I really don't care what the sayings are around the outside.  I don't think it will take too long to figure out which phrases to go with.  I voted for brass, since every arcade I've gone to has brass tokens.

BTW, Santaro, What ARE the thickness and size going to be?  I'm sure it's somewhere here, but I don't wanna look through seven pages (at the moment) of posts.

Chris, Pixelhugger, I think you two are the major players in this whole token discussion.  I think there'd have been less interest if it weren't for your designs and mock-ups!

Two snaps, and a bling bling ka-ching!

[froggerman]

I like Chris' "happy player 1", although I think he might need some feet.

That's the Atari Player 1 icon as seen on Centipede and Missile Command.  He never had feet.

Is the cabinet profile used with the Happy Player 1 a Centipede cabinet or a Missle Command cabinet? Might be appropriate if it was. I really like the phrase "The Game is Never Over", I am not too fond of the "Good for Extended Play" phrase.

These designs are too cool!

[patrickl]

I agree the current designs look good, but I still feel on some details it still needs some polishing. I assume this is a mock-up that PH threw together to test things out, but for a final run maybe some minor details could be looked at:
- The lines on the front and back face are not of the same width
- The sunken player 1 guy in the looks mangled (personally I'd just rather have a standard O, but that's just me I guess)
- The Pac Man dots don't look consistently layed out:
    - In the bottom part the fourth dot (on the left) runs into the logo
    - left and right the dots dont look to be on the same height
    - the space between the dots doesn't look evenly arranged

The Pac Man dots might be a problem to fix. Four dots just looks like it's too much.

[Santoro]

BTW, Santaro, What ARE the thickness and size going to be?  I'm sure it's somewhere here, but I don't wanna look through seven pages (at the moment) of posts.

I don't remeber applying for the secretary position!?

Seriously though, check here.

[KevSteele]

Hey, the only gripe I really have is the "good for extended play" line, which I just don't quite "get."

Kev!  You're older than I am!   Didn't you live to get extended play?

"Extended Play" is the same concept as "Game not over".

If we must put a "slogan" there instead of something token-appropriate, how about something at least related to tokens/coins?

"COIN UP AND PLAY"

Oh, I get the reference - it just doesn't quite work for me.
You earn extended play.  You don't get it from a token.

Going with the "Coin up and play" theme:

"Now Go Play Something"
"The Adventure Begins"
"Play Hard"
"Let the Game Begin"

I'm definitely thinking a slogan poll after the artwork poll would be a
good idea...

Kevin

[Chris]

I like Chris' "happy player 1", although I think he might need some feet.

That's the Atari Player 1 icon as seen on Centipede and Missile Command.  He never had feet.

Is the cabinet profile used with the Happy Player 1 a Centipede cabinet or a Missle Command cabinet? Might be appropriate if it was.

It is very very loosely based on a Centipede profile, with the obvious exception of the joystick.

[Santoro]

How about:

GAME OVER.. NOT!

[KevSteele]

How about:

GAME OVER.. NOT!

That is SO 1990's...

 

Kevin

[DPsx7]

Are you guys set on the Pac-Man background? I still kinda liked the atomic better since it wasn't so specific. I mean there were several people who didn't want MAME on it, so I was just curious. I hope both will show up on the final designs vote.

Or in order to have a small MAME reference, is there a way to put it in small text on the cab? I was going to create a design myself but figured what we already had was pretty close to what we want. And all I'd be doing is cutting and pasting everyone else's designs... Besides that and the slogans (which I guess there's gonna be another poll on), I think this is pretty close to finished.

[Chris]

Or in order to have a small MAME reference, is there a way to put it in small text on the cab? I was going to create a design myself but figured what we already had was pretty close to what we want. And all I'd be doing is cutting and pasting everyone else's designs... Besides that and the slogans (which I guess there's gonna be another poll on), I think this is pretty close to finished.

I had started a version with MAME sideart on the cab, but decided it looked much better as a silhouette.  Having detail on the cab and not on the Player 1 icon looked strange.

[AmericanDemon]

Ok ok.  How about this for a slogan?

What are you token?

:::  I know shot down, but its got a humor to it.

[Chris]

SLOGANS
Okay, I think I'm getting a small hint here that not everyone appreciates the esthetics of "GOOD FOR EXTENDED PLAY".  Since Santoro is busy gathering opinions on other aspects of the token, I'm going to step in and suggest a path.

I've gathered up all the slogans I could find across these threads; there are 28 of them.

Before I go any further, I am going to use this assumption:  the designs that have been recently "blinged" are the final designs, with the exception of color, stippling, and the text on the bottom of the back of the coin.  Thus, the text on the bottom of the back is the only element that is still wide open.

I know that this is not yet true, however making this assumption makes this task easier, as it limits us to debating one single line of text that will fit into the available space.

My proposal is that first I plug all of the slogans into my mockup to see which fit.  Any that don't fit are eliminated.

On the remaining choices, we vote.  Each person votes for three choices.  Tomorrow afternoon, we count up the votes, and eliminate the bottom half and start over.  At some point we should get to a reasonable number for a final vote, so a final slogan is picked by Monday so we can get underway.

(EDIT: Added latecoming slogans)
(EDIT: Missed one)
The 32 (seriously presented) slogans I found, in alphabetical order, are:

1 TOKEN (INFINITY SYMBOL) PLAYS
1 TOKEN 1 PLAY
1984
ARCADE GAMES FOREVER
BETTER LIVING THROUGH GAMING
BUILDING YOUR MEMORIES
COIN UP AND PLAY
CONTINUE GAME
FREE GAME
FREE GAME TOKEN
FUN IS FOREVER
GAME NOT OVER
GAME ON
GAME OVER.. NOT
GIVE ME CREDITS OR GIVE ME DEATH
GOOD FOR 1 CREDIT
GOOD FOR 1 GAME
GOOD FOR EXTENDED PLAY
KEEPING MEMORIES ALIVE
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
NOW GO PLAY SOMETHING
ONE COIN AT A TIME
ONE CREDIT
PLAY HARD
PLAY ONE CLASSIC
RESURRECTING THE PAST
STEP UP TO REAL GAMING EXCITEMENT
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
THE GAME IS NEVER OVER
THE GAME IS NOT OVER
THE GAMES LIVE ON
WHERE THE GAME NEVER ENDS

I am now starting to determine which will fit and wich won't.  I'll post my results soon.

Does anyone disagree with this method?

--Chris

[Chris]

SLOGANS
My proposal is that first I plug all of the slogans into my mockup to see which fit.  Any that don't fit are eliminated.

Of those posted, the following do not fit:

GIVE ME CREDITS OR GIVE ME DEATH
STEP UP TO REAL GAMING EXCITEMENT

The following two will fit if one star is eliminated from each side:

WHERE THE GAME NEVER ENDS
BETTER LIVING THROUGH GAMING

All others will fit as-is or with additional stars or other filler added.

[Santoro]

Thanks Chris, I think this is fine.   Better than creating yet another thread, I think.

Scanning the list, I am amazed at how few of these jump out at me.  

Here is my top 3:

GOOD FOR ONE CREDIT
THE GAME IS NOT OVER
BETTER LIVING THROUGH GAMING
GAME NOT OVER

Dave

[Chris]

My 3 are:

GOOD FOR EXTENDED PLAY
WHERE THE GAME NEVER ENDS
GOOD FOR ONE CREDIT

[KevSteele]

Top Text:
ONE CREDIT
GOOD FOR ONE GAME
GAME TOKEN

Bottom Text:
THE GAME IS NEVER OVER         (But of course  )
ONE COIN TO PLAY THEM ALL
KEEPING THE GAMES ALIVE

(vote subject to change on a whim...)

Kevin

[DaveMMR]

My top three are:

Better Living Through Gaming
The Games Live On
Coin Up and Play

[Chris]

Not a single match yet... it's gonna be a long weekend...  

[KevSteele]

Not a single match yet... it's gonna be a long weekend...  

I hate to sound like an advocate, but I think Santoro's "The Game is Not Over" is actually supposed to be "The Game is Never Over"

(The Game is Not Over isn't on the list of choices)

Give it time, I'm sure there will be three "top choices" we could do a final poll on.

Kevin