Need Feedback-High quality High Score log book project

[Rick Dangerous]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm contacting a book binding company that specializes in special orders like this. I was thinking of creating a generic (to avoid licensing fees) but high quality logbook so that you can write down your new top scores for cart based games with no internal saves (entire console libraries.) I thought of this because I really like beating my high score in games with a save feature and I think it would be nice to have a classy way to keep a log for games without that feature. Something that would look nice on a shelf next to your collection.

 

I'd probably do an initial run of about 100, and i'm guessing price might be $20-$40ish a piece, but that's putting the cart ahead of the horse. For now I would like some feedback on my format and what features you would like to see in this type of log book.

 

Here is what I have so far

 

-Black vinyl binding with gold lettering (High Scores, Joystick Art) Using 2600 joystick which I think is generic enough to be able to use the book for other systems like 5200/7800/Inty, CV, Etc.

 

-Size: Standard piece of paper (11x7)

 

-Title page with owner and system(s), start date for fun

 

-Games (numbered, two pages per game), 200 games total.

 

So here are my questions

 

-What do you think of the black/gold format and size?

 

-What do you think of the size? Should I go smaller? Bigger?

 

-What else should be on the title page?

 

-Is 200 game slots too many? Not enough? Had trouble arriving at this number because 200 is a lot for say 5200 high scores, but maybe not enough for a 2600 book ( I figured you could always make a 2600 Book 2 if you needed to)

 

-Is two pages per game enough? I figured that you would only be writing down you or your friends new "top score" and thus shouldn't need a ton. You could also use subsequent game slots for different people or for a continuation if you fill two pages.

 

-What other features would you like to see? I thought about a third "codes" page, but i'm not sure enough games without a save feature actually utilize them.

Maybe a five page "favorite codes" or "notes" section at the back.

 

I know this is a very "analog" project, but some of you will get it and dig this. Not taking pre-orders at this time, just looking for feedback.

 

See attached photo for black/gold sample, and word document for basic format idea.

 

(EDIT: Not allowed to upload word files but I think you can get the idea from my description)

 

Thanks!!

Edited March 3, 2015 by travistouchdown

[Hyperboy]

I like the idea, I would purchase one!

[Rick Dangerous]

The idea is, if you are, say, having a 7800 night, you pull out the logbook and if you beat any of your high scores you write down your name, the score, and the date.

 

It's pretty simple and some people would rather do it with pictures, phone, etc. I think it's a classy and convenient way to keep all your high scores for a system in one place.

 

Its fun too because you can see how well you've done and when, versus just firing up a game knowing the score will be lost....

 

EDIT: I am aware the XM will have high score save capabilities. I still think that given the XM's likely low total production numbers and sheer amount of other early systems/games without high score save that this is a worthwhile endeavor.

Edited March 3, 2015 by travistouchdown

[fiddlepaddle]

Interesting idea, though I just used a $.50 composition book (several, actually...one for each different game system) and, using my decidedly subjectively-rated artistic impulses, decorated them whimsically according to my own personal taste.

[Rick Dangerous]

Interesting idea, though I just used a $.50 composition book (several, actually...one for each different game system) and, using my decidedly subjectively-rated artistic impulses, decorated them whimsically according to my own personal taste.

 

This was my original thought, composition books. I'd love to create something slick looking that is game specific and will look good on a shelf. Hopefully the binding people can help me keep costs down with a reasonable order (100ish)

 

The other good thing about this book is i'm adding a table of contents with game number, blank spot for game name, and page number, that way it will be easy to get to what you are looking for, rather than pawing through several composition books before finding your game (unless of course you took the time to make a TOC for that

 

If the hardcovers are going to be more than around $30 a book I'll go to staples and see what the nicest thing they can put together for me for a reasonable price is.

Edited March 3, 2015 by travistouchdown

[Keatah]

When I did my video gaming notebook I chose a basic 3-ring binder which had a pocket on the cover so I could put a nice cover picture in it. Then I glued my mom's jewelry to accent it with silver and diamonds. I had her looking for weeks to find out where it went!

 

The inside was composed of simple writing paper and plastic dividers. This was the most important part, because we played so much. And I had a section for each console. Like the Astrocade section was a page or two. But the VCS section was more than 10.

 

The book was very dynamic and pages were added all the time as I acquired new systems. It eventually morphed into my wArEz contact book and BBS number book. Then it became my journal. The video game stuff got thrown out, and the journal part got transcribed into ProTerm on the Apple II. And eventually MS Word & Notepad.

 

Now years later I came full circle. I got one of those heavy devil-witch's spell books. Big wood and rusty hinged metal binding. Dusty. Brown parchment. Key-lock. Impressive. Imposing. Periodically I'll print out updates from my journal and add it in.

 

But the key point is expandability and the ability to add sections and stuff. I know my solution isn't the style you're after. But again, the ability to add or replace pages is invaluable to me.

Edited March 3, 2015 by Keatah

[Keatah]

Hey man. Just zip the word doc into a zip file! Or change the file extension to .bin!