Impressions of books from new printers

[EvilRedEye]

Got my new Book 1 today. It's an improvement on the original but somehow isn't the quantum leap I was expecting. I think this is largely because my Book 1 wasn't particularly defective in the first place.

The new one is slightly bigger. The difference between the cover images isn't really noticeable until you put them side by side, then you realise the new one has a slightly softer colours, which does make it look a bit better. The spine is gently curved compared with the totally flat original. The glossy layer of the cover had separated a bit around bits of the spine on my original, this isn't a problem with the new one.

The interior colour map has really toned down colours. I don't know whether this is down to the paper not being as bright and glossy or editing of the image. I expect a mix of the two. The original was much brighter and vibrant but was maybe too bold for a 'ye olde world' sort of map, so I think the new one may be a more authentic-feeling.

The new paper is a bit different, but still high quality. The book makes less noise while you use it, and doesn't cause the slight 'hmm, hope this doesn't fall apart' worries of the original.

It's definitely an improvement and feels more like a professional product that'd be at home in your local Waterstones than the original.

Also, the packaging has been improved since I got the original... no more Jiffy bag.

So all in all an improvement then. I'm glad I upgraded as now my set will be consistent, but if I'd bought all of books 1-4 I probably wouldn't bother buying them all again.

 

[beowuuf]

There was no improvement expected with the new books 1 and 2, it's just good you are infact saying there is any improvement, as it means the new printers haven't caused any problems and are doding a bang up job

I think book 3 had an action chart and mini-adventure section niggle, and book 4 had a few more niggles - those are the ones to have fingers fully crossed for!

 

[Balgin Stondraeg]

I think book 3 had an action chart and mini-adventure section niggle, and book 4 had a few more niggles - those are the ones to have fingers fully crossed for!

Book 3 had no section 192 because an illustration had accidentaly been placed on top of it but that's been fixed now. It was book 4 that had no equipment section and the action chart for the mini adventure was erroneous (and that hasn't been fixed yet as far as I know).

 

[pjagum]

I`m a little confused.
Aren`t the Books printed somewhere in the U.S. now? Since the imprint of mine still says it had been printed and bound in the UK???

 

[Lycanthus]

Yeah, they do say they are printed in the UK. Not entirely sure what that's about.

As for the Action Chart in book 4, the font seems to be some dodgy bit-mapped thing. It's pretty ugly and is a bit of a shame...

 

[kimah]

The copies of Book 3 & 4 that I was sent last Thursday were missing section 192 and the middle of the equipment section respectively (I assume that these were from the new US print-run seeing as I ordered the books back in April and have waited until now to be sent them).

Upon contacting Mongoose today concerning these errors they have told me that all their current copies of Book 3 contain this error and that they are therefore only able to offer me a refund - i.e. no replacement. As regards Book 4 they are claiming that the equipment section is supposed to be as it is!?!

Has anyone received copies of Books 3 & 4 without these errors??

 

[Lycanthus]

So, basically, if you ordered the books when they first came out and you complained you got replacements but if you waited (like you and I) until we thought the errors were fixed we just get bumped or our money back?!?

 

[kimah]

So it would seem Lycanthus yes...

 

[Lycanthus]

I've mailed Matt Sprange and I'm waiting on a response. I hope it's a little more positive than the reply you got. *crosses fingers*

God, I am so disappointed.

 

[pjagum]

Well, maybe they didn`t get the essential errors fixed, but at least they managed to change the logo.
That is quite more than a appropriate compensation isn`t it ? :lol:

Btw does someone know the difference in size between the UK and the US version? Is it possible to combine them or does it look so arkward that one should replace the UK-version in any case?

 

[lord darkstorm]

I've mailed Matt Sprange and I'm waiting on a response. I hope it's a little more positive than the reply you got. *crosses fingers*

God, I am so disappointed.

I wouldn't hold your breath for a reply, I emailed him regarding book 4 a week ago, and have had nothing back as of yet.

 

[kimah]

The reply that I got this morning was from Kelly Young (after e-mailing Matt Sprange myself yesterday, receiving no response and then having to chase).

I've sent my copies back for a refund as I've just about had enough of what I view as Mongoose's extreme incompetence and I'm sick of dealing with them quite frankly. Would be interested to know if anyone is successful in obtaining a corrected replacement of Books 3 or 4 however. (I suppose it might be worth telephoning and speaking to Matt Sprange in person if he is not replying to individual e-mails).

 

[Lycanthus]

It seems to me that as long as the Mega Deal folks are taken care of (i.e. no huge refunds given) they can just screw us with the rejects from the first print. I can't believe I deliberately held off buying the books until the problems were 'sorted'. I feel like a fool.

 

[BlackCat]

It seems to me that as long as the Mega Deal folks are taken care of (i.e. no huge refunds given) they can just screw us with the rejects from the first print.

I don't think these are rejects from the first print. I think that they gave to the American printer the uncorrected document that they have used when they were printing the book themselves. A corrected version of that document exists, so how come they didn't check out if they were sending the right one to the printer in the US?

 

[kimah]

How would you be feeling now though Lycanthus if you had parted with £400-odd (or however much it was) upfront? How much confidence would you have at this moment in time that Mongoose would ultimately be sending you all 32 collector's editions, produced to a professional standard and within the timescale originally promised (or at all)?

If Mongoose were to go into liquidation (as companies that alienate their customers have a tendency to do!) what hope would you then have of getting your money back? Personally I'm relieved I didn't go for the Mega Deal. At least having purchased the books individually I can now, with great regret, simply call it quits and not order any more books.

I am bitterly disappointed though. I am also deeply sceptical as to how far Mongoose will be able to get with the hardback series before their own failings make it uneconomic for them to continue (and indeed, whether any paperbacks ultimately get produced at all).

Surely Joe Dever deserves much better than this.

 

[Lycanthus]

^

While the folks who bought the Mega Deal got a corrected version of the book I take the point about the longevity of this company and the completion of the LW series. I'm probably better off out of it!

I whole heartedly agree with your points.

 

[mvstang]

^

While the folks who bought the Mega Deal got a corrected version of the book I take the point about the longevity of this company and the completion of the LW series. I'm probably better off out of it!

I whole heartedly agree with your points.

This is not entirely correct. I purchased the Mega-deal on March 2nd, but did not receive a corrected version of book 3 from Mongoose (since I just got 1-4 yesterday). Of course, I'm probably in the minority since I don't think the Mega-deal lasted more than a month or so after that.

So there isn't a conspiracy against the non-Mega Deal customers

 

[Ferital]

The copies of Book 3 & 4 that I was sent last Thursday were missing section 192 and the middle of the equipment section respectively (I assume that these were from the new US print-run seeing as I ordered the books back in April and have waited until now to be sent them).

Upon contacting Mongoose today concerning these errors they have told me that all their current copies of Book 3 contain this error and that they are therefore only able to offer me a refund - i.e. no replacement. As regards Book 4 they are claiming that the equipment section is supposed to be as it is!?!

Has anyone received copies of Books 3 & 4 without these errors??

I have received copies of new books 3 and 4 (as well as 1 and 2) and, the very bad news, new book 3 does not have section 192 again! This is incredible, I can't understand how Mongoose manage to make so strong mistakes in nearly every new Lone Wolf book they publish!.

Moreover, book 4 was partially corrected, because it is still missing the equipment section and the action chart for the mini adventure is pixilated. Ok there is an equipment section, but the middle of it is missing as you said.

The problem for me is that I ordered again the first three books, even though I already had them, because I wanted my collection to be homogeneous, and I really wasn't happy with the binding of the books 1 and 2 I owned, even if the books were readable (I plan to sell them). Only book 3 was nice, with a normal binding (though not as good as the one of the new reprint) and the section 192 present in it.

But I think the guys at Mongoose are doing their best, and if I believed in some kind of supernatural powers, I would think the new Lone Wolf reprint is somewhat doomed.

With the exception of those really bad errors, the new reprint is generally better than the old. The binding is now truly professional, the books are a little bigger so there is now a nice margin between the text and the border and the particular smell of the books (yes, the smell of a book is an important thing) does add to the atmosphere we need when reading a gamebook. The colors of the cover are less vibrant than the first reprint, but it does not really matter. However, the colors of the maps are less vibrant too, which makes the maps in book 3 and 4 a little difficult to read, but, again, it does add to the atmosphere, making the impression it is an old parchment of ancient times.

So, if it wasn't for the missing section 192 in book 3 and the missing part of the equipment section in book 4, I would be happy with the new reprint.

 

[pjagum]

Well I`ve got to say I would prefer to get fully satisfied.
Therefore I would even buy book 3 and 4 a second time lateron, provided that they get pblished in a completely corrected version :roll:

 

[Koreth]

I'm just eagerly waiting for the novels and LW#5. I'm hoping that this is just startup issues with the new printer.

The Mongoose track record hasn't been great, but hopefully this is what is needed to get the project back on track.

I'm maintianing hope.