Title screen

[Nine Toes]

This is a title screen I drew for my game.  I'm working on a second one that looks different, instead of the newspaper, it's a group of zombies, and they're "reaching for you"... I'll post that when I get some time.

Until then, what do you think of this one?  I figured using the newspaper would be a good idea, because that's where I got the title from.  In zombie flicks you commonly see a newspaper like this (the scene in Day of the Dead where it shows the newspaper blowing down the street, also at the end of Resident Evil).  So I figured the whole newspaper theme would be a good idea.

I'm basically looking for general ideas on what I could do to make it look more eyecatching, and maybe what I could do to fill in the the "void" that takes up a large portion of the screen below the title, and next to the options.

[Ben]

Looks good so far. If you want to make it look more eyecatching, you could add photos to the newspaper. Also, it would look a little more like a newspaper if you put the article text in columns.

Another thing: The menu text is kind of hard to read, because of the background behind it. Shading or blurring on the newspaper might help fix that..

[12431]

maybe you should let the sheet look a little crumbled

[Tarison]

Keep the newspaper, but yeah, put the story in columns, and if that's a front-page, a picture. You could even use the one you said you were working on for an alternate screen.

[Nine Toes]

This is a revised image.  I think it looks better with the photo and the columns.  Thank you, gentlemen.

I added a shadow to the menu text, to try and make it stand out a little more.

As for the second version, that one may not be done for a while, because I'm drawing it by hand.   I'm fairly pleased with this one, so when I finish the hand drawn version 2, I may just replace the pic in the newpaper with it (so it is more original).

[Tarison]

Looking very good. Can't wait to play it

[TheYak]

Looks quite excellent.  I'm particularly impressed with the newspaper's look.  You've dulled the color down nicely - a vibrant white wouldn't look very genuine.  The edit makes it twice as good.  

Right now, I think the menu text is usuable but is still slightly hard on the eyes.  I think it's more of an aesthetic thing for me. Have you considered having another page lying on top of the newspaper? It could be done so it looks like it's a pile of  (or just a couple of) papers that has your menu text on it.  That would make it stand out and give you the freedom to make it look anyway you wanted without blending into the paper too much.  For instance, the paper could have the options like you've got them. It could have the menu in the same font as the newspaper's heading. It could be written in blood or have spatters on it.  Or, it could look like a quick & frantic note that someone's written down.  

Don't mind me, just grabbing your idea and twisting it in my own demented way.  Collaborative brainstorming, in a sense.

[Tarison]

Or, it could look like a quick & frantic note that someone's written down.  

I like the idea of a notepad with those hastily scratched onto it, and yes, at a second glance, menu options do clash with the background a little.

[DragonRose]

Ooooo... that looks really creepy, Sully! It's probably just because I know the game is about Zombies, but still there is much awesomeness.

[Kweepa]

Another thing to consider is that front page newspaper headlines are generally all upper case and/or sans serif.
I love the sepia tone look though.

[Nine Toes]

Or, it could look like a quick & frantic note that someone's written down.  

I like the idea of a notepad with those hastily scratched onto it, and yes, at a second glance, menu options do clash with the background a little.

Hey, that's a pretty cool idea!  I like that...  I'm on it!

I never realized it, but you're right, Stevie.  Headlines are usually in Sans Serif.  I tried out a couple Sans Serif fonts on it, and... I don't know... it just took something away from the pic... it didn't feel the same, so I had to leave it as Times New Roman.  Although I did capitalize the headline, though.  

Excellent!  Thank you ladies and gentlemen!  I appreciate all of your help.

I'll repost in a few hours to show you the final draft of the title screen.

[IntentInsane]

I'll repost in a few hours to show you the final draft of the title screen.

I look forward to it

[m0ds]

I agree with Yakspit, I think the revisions with the picture on it worked very well, it looks good like that. But I too think the menu buttons are a little un-usual.

I think shading instead of a drop shadow on them would look much better. Shading/blurring that is.

None the less, very good

[amaranth]

looks good! I would use more contrast between the newspaper and the red text. they compete with each other. Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.