First off, I love the system, and I fully realize there's probably nothing that can be done for me here, as I'm part of a very very small minority, but I have been getting frustrated and feel the need to rant a bit. I HATE the freaking book design, with it's thin fonts, and glossy pages.

I'm legally blind, but can usually get along pretty well. I can read most books (if a bit slowly) and am able to deal with most of the paperwork for my job with only minor accomodations..

The EotE book is one of the first books I've ever come across that gives me fits trying to read. The combination of the glossy pages, and the relatively thin type of the fonts makes it really hard to read. Couple in the small size they use for some of the stat blocks, and there is text I actually can't read at all.

Many game systems give me some problems. Recently I've been playing Pathfinder, Hero System, and WEG Star Wars. The first two offer offer PDF's of their books, which I can put on my iPad and magnify the hell out of if needed, and the WEG book just has a nice dark, easy to read font. This one though... ugh. Mostly I've memorized where things are in the stat blocks, so can more or less make it work, but it's very frustrating.

How are you getting on with the symbols on the dice?

Split Light I feel for you and hope I'm never in the same situation. But, you may be the the only fan with such a complaint*. The rest of us are probably enjoying the look and quality of the book. FFG customer relations have always been great when I've interacted with them. Beyond great. Perhaps if you contact them personally there is something they could arrange? I wonder if they could get a Lucasfilm exception on your behalf, for example, for a locked and serial numbered PDF? I doubt it, but it's worth a try. I would imagine printing a single, varied (black & white?) version of their book would be costly to them and you.

*Eta: Looks like I'm wrong.

The pages are glossy enough that even with decent eyesight I have to adjust the angle from time to time to avoid glare, so I imagine that with serious vision problems it could be a major issue.

I am not legally blind but I too hate the light font used in this book by FFG. The book looks great but from a practical standpoint it is a PITA to read. In addition to the light font the text is overly wordy and the stat blocks aren't laid out very well.

Legally blind here as well. I've gotten along ok, I suppose. I'm having an easier time with EotE than WFRP as far as fonts and colors. The only truly big showstopper for me is the galactic map. It's so awesome. I wish I could read the planet names, though. A big, fold-out map that could be placed on the table for a group to plot and discuss their astrogation choices wouldn't hurt anyone Or, to kick a thirteen year dead horse in the ribs one more time for funsies... a pdf.

Not legally blind, but I'll get on the "hard to read" bandwagon. I need to have just the right lighting in the room or it's like trying to read snakes. Too bright and it's glare-y. Too dark and it's too faded. I don't think the font helps. At least the pictures are oh so pretty.

I keep a pair of reading glasses stashed in my game bag -- this ain't the only game with typeface issues.

this ain't the only game with typeface issues.

That is I get PDFs of all my gaming material. So much more convenient to read.

The thin, light fonts on dark backgrounds are a bit of a challenge for me too, even in the other published material - particularly white on dark green.

You could try contacting FFG and explaining your situation to them. I doubt that they can give you full PDFs of the game books, but they might be willing to send you files of the text or something so that you can use electronic devices to help you read the game.

The lack of PDFs is about their licensing agreement, but I don't think they want their materials to be inaccessible to anyone with a visual impairment.

How are you getting on with the symbols on the dice?

The dice are fine. The symbols are pretty bold and clearly contrasted against the background color. I can't always tell what color they are (blue from green and black from purple), as I'm a bit colorblind also, so when somebody says hand me the blue one I have to stop and remember, that's the six sider, but that's not a big deal.

Thanks for peoples support. I love the game, and like I said don't really expect any special treatment. I had just been getting frustrated last night and felt like ranting a bit. I can read most of it, albeit a lot slower and with a lot of tilting the book around.

I have some hope that perhaps they'll use a darker, clearer font, in future books.

this ain't the only game with typeface issues.

That is I get PDFs of all my gaming material. So much more convenient to read.

It really depends on the file, for me. The full color, high rez Warhammer pdf's are amazing, but they pull up so slowly on every iPad or Kindle I've used. As far as mid-game table reference I still use hardcover books simply for speed, with maybe the exception of Evil Hat games. They actually put a little thought into their pdf creation and the pages render super fast. Again, I'm sure mileage may vary. My wife's Surface Pro rocks as far as render speed.

I try to avoid mid-session rulebook use. If I am unsure of something I will usually just make a ruling and look I up later. I do prefer hard copies for tale use (especially for adventure material).

I have to agree with the op. I am not deficient in my sight in the least yet the words are easily blurred and my head kinda hurts after reading for a short time. Its very hard to focus on the words in the book in a lot of places.

Th darker text in the example boxes are much easier to read.

Is the lighter text a significant printing savings for them. I can't imagine their layout people wouldn't notice that the lighter text was hard for some people to read.

Don't forget the completely random sections for information. When ever I modify my space ships I need to look up equipment modifications.

I'm sure the book makes more sense from a narritive perspective. :-)

I love the look overall, but even I occasionally have trouble telling the periods from the commas.

Thanks for peoples support. I love the game, and like I said don't really expect any special treatment. I had just been getting frustrated last night and felt like ranting a bit. I can read most of it, albeit a lot slower and with a lot of tilting the book around.

I have some hope that perhaps they'll use a darker, clearer font, in future books.

If you're feeling self conscious about being "slow" perhaps do what I do and simply pour your table another round of whiskey. It pulls them back down a bit Blind dudes represent.

I feel more frustrated then self conscious. I've been gaming with these people for more then 20 years. They're some of my best friends (not to mention my wife is in the group.) They know my deep dark secrets.

That said, the Whiskey idea has great promise, though I'm more of a Rum guy myself.

I try to avoid mid-session rulebook use. If I am unsure of something I will usually just make a ruling and look I up later. I do prefer hard copies for tale use (especially for adventure material).

Yes, as GM, I never grab the book to look something up mid-scene. Downtime, breaks, PCs are actually in a store trying to buy stuff, etc. is fine. If there's a scene going, though, I really appreciate it if one of the players can look something up, however. When playing, I'm happy to rule-hunt because there's always some non-spotlight-time then.

That said, the Whiskey idea has great promise,

Well, it would make the dramatic interpretations of the failure and triumph dice more interesting. . . .

That said, the Whiskey idea has great promise,

Well, it would make the dramatic interpretations of the failure and triumph dice more interesting. . . .

Always have a trip to the cantina waiting in your Rogue Events list

Reading this book with a thin, gray, small font on a cluttered background is brutal. I have great vision but am getting a pair of reading glasses just so I can read this book. That's ridiculous.