Comments on: The State of Video Game Cover Art

By: PoisonMushroom.Org - Combing the Net So You Don’t Have To » Blog Archive » Points of Interest - 11/20/08

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:06:54 +0000

[...] I’m often inclined to look at cover art of the past; Nidzumi, however, is into checking out some of the cool covers of today. [...]

By: Sam Morris

Sam Morris — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:25:31 +0000

True J.R.

But in today’s market you rarely see anything out of the ordinary as far as box art goes. I mean the art wasn’t terrifically new or interesting but the idea that people are starting to play around with what they can do today is promising.

Although the first thing when you mentioned hidden sleeve was the Black & White cover that could be swapped around between the two colour schemes.

By: J.R. Hannemeier

J.R. Hannemeier — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:54:08 +0000

I wouldn’t say that Fable 2 is noteworthy for anything. SE’s Unlimited Saga actually had sideways boxart. Of course, just like with Fable 2, it was pointless. But unlike Fable 2, it wasn’t hidden behind a sleeve or in a special edition.

By: Bruno de Figueiredo

Bruno de Figueiredo — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:47:28 +0000

For months now I’ve been telling my fellow videogame players about the importance of cover art in a videogame. I purchased a book released by SEGA circa 1993, where they had the cover illustrators share their drawings and their own techniques / approach to the task they were given. Any of those early Mega Drive covers – the japanese releases, I underline – were true and inspired art.

Nowadays, videogames sell with whatever cover they place. Burnout sold millions and they don’t have a single good cover up until Paradise – which I admit looks as good as a car game cover can look. Fifteen years ago, we didn’t have the same access to information as we do today: we go to a store and we can check the metascore for that game using our cellphone browsers if we like. I remember looking at a cover and wishing I could buy that game because the image was attractive. Cover art used to be one of the most important aspects of selling a videogame.

But I think the problem has also got to do with the US market. Think of ICO, for instance: both the Japanese and European digipack boxes include postcards as well as a beautiful representation of the game drawn by the game author in the refined style of the surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico. The sort of cover that sets that one game apart from all the others in the shelves. In the US, ICO has a generic, amateur and inferior depiction of the character, so repulsive I can’t stand looking at it.

For once I’m happy to be a part of the EU market.

By: Mike Riddle

Mike Riddle — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:36:19 +0000

I think the issue with people trading in games is one of replay value- most people do not want to replay games like you might an album or movie. That said, when you DO get a big seller that has replay value- something like COD4- you barely ever see a preowned copy on the shelves. I love good boxart just as much as a good album cover, but most people just don’t appreciate either any more- especially since the itunes revolution most people only see their album covers in a inch-square icon at best…

All that said, LittleBigPlanet has a rubbish cover for such a beautiful game

By: Aaron R

Aaron R — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:04:35 +0000

Burnout Paradise sold quite well. While it does not seem like it will catch up with Burnout Revenge, it continues to be a brisk seller and is about to be re-released which should spur further sales.

By: The N3 Newswire for November 8 | The Video Game Spectrum

The N3 Newswire for November 8 | The Video Game Spectrum — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:20:31 +0000

[...] –Kirby Super Star Ultra doing great in Japan –Yoshi and his spinoffs through the years –RUMOR: Obama knows “All your base”? –Get your Dragonites at Toys R Us! –Sonic Unleashed delayed in USA and Europe too –Gaming’s first registry created–so we will always remember the best games. –There’s more to rock games than Guitar Hero and Rock Band… –A teacher weighs in on Wii Music (SB’s pick!) –A work of (cover) art [...]

By: GoNintendo - The State of Video Game Cover Art

GoNintendo - The State of Video Game Cover Art — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:21:26 +0000

[...] saw? There have been some notable ones, but nothing like it used to be back in the 16-bit days. Article here addthis_pub = ‘cortjezter’; addthis_hide_embed = false; addthis_options = ‘delicious, digg, [...]