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What in your opinion is the best videogame cover art of all time?

My personal pick would be:

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9311/250pxxenobladebox.png

Never really thought about cover art, but Xenoblade's looks as good as any I can think of.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/6/66307/1497965-kotor_box_art_super.jpg

http://www.platformnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/kotor2-boxart.jpg

http://fable.neoseeker.com/w/i/fable/0/0a/Fable_Boxart.jpg

http://www.digitaldevildb.com/images/boxart/full/persona3/persona3j.jpg

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/1614/827960-persona3_fes_ps2_uk_super.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H9td813vC0c/S0at2KZi_rI/AAAAAAAAAGc/cry_A46w-pQ/s400/Braid+cover.jpg

http://dreamandfriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/350880ps_500h.jpg

These 2, easily.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c5/Spider-Man_Maximum_Carnage.jpg/250px-Spider-Man_Maximum_Carnage.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2120/23122553yik9dlxc.jpg

Even got parodied. Pretty cool

Oh, here is a topic I could go on forever about...I rather frequently critique game covers when I'm at work It'd be much easier for me to talk about ones that I think aren't that great, though. I also look at things a bit differently; not only do I look at how nice the artwork itself is, but also how it stands up as a design and how well it fills the important elements of a design.

As far as being eye-grabbing, I think Borderlands is awesome for that. It's very brightly colored, the title stands out well against the background, and the image itself makes you do a double-take. There are also several elements that lead the eye directly to the game's title; always a good thing.

http://i55.tinypic.com/2qduam0.jpg

The first Portal - simple, with the only real color in the artwork being in the logo. The person going into the portal with the arrow pointing down at the title brings your eyes down to it quite nicely. Certainly better than the cover for Portal 2.

http://i56.tinypic.com/301h441.jpg

Assassin's Creed II - I like the contrasting between the deep red and white on it, and the mostly-dark background with Ezio set against it makes him pop out. The reds matching the red of the logo work nicely as well. I definitely like it better than the covers for the first AC (very bland, Altair does not really stand out much, and the blues don't work as well as the reds) and Brotherhood (a background of the multiplayer characters makes it seem too busy and Ezio does not particularly stand out).

http://i52.tinypic.com/16gd2px.jpg

The Japanese cover for FFX. I like the cover for the American release of the game, but like most FF games, the Japanese cover art is superior. This one stands out in particular, not just because it's my favorite game, but because of the design of the logo. The art surrounds the title, and the design of it brings your eyes around and back to the title. Set against a plain white background, it's just very simple and elegant, and not busy at all.

http://i51.tinypic.com/2pshs2o.jpg

I tend to be not fond of covers that go the "epic movie poster" route, as I find that in such a small size it's just way too busy and there's too much going on, while at the same time there's not enough to really bring the eye where it should be; there also tends to be too much that just leads the eye off the cover which is not something you want at all.

And then there are some that are simply horrible.

http://images.wikia.com/bungie/images/6/62/Marathon_2_-_Durandal_Coverart.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7d/Marathon_Infinity_game_box.png

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/6749/195973-mgs4lecover_super.jpg

http://www.gameaxis.com/img/blog/1084/Image/MegaMan%20NES.jpg

awesome

Fable and Borderland are both great choices.

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/5199/936fullsupermetroidcove.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c166/Impediment/batmanAA.jpg

http://www.juegomania.org/Fatal+Fury+Battle+Archives+Vol.1/foto/ps2/4/4209/c.jpg/Foto+Fatal+Fury+Battle+Archives+Vol.1.jpg

Epic, in its truest meaning.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9160/duke3d.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6997/thiefthedarkprojectcove.jpg

God, I'm feeling the need to go into full-blown critiques of most of the ones posted and why they're really not solid designs at all...

And yes, the cover for Fable is amazing, both design-wise and how it fits the game itself.

The KOTORs, on the other had, fail spectacularly.

Bring it on then. I'll gladly defend what I posted if need be. uhuh

Oh, now that I saw that you edited, I definitely agree on the KOTOR ones.

I actually have no thoughts on the Super Metroid cover, it's solid for what it is and while it's not an amazing example of a design, it's also not bad. It doesn't commit any huge errors of design, other than being a bit busy.

The KOTORs, though, suffer from many problems. First and foremost is the fact that there's little to draw the eye in, and instead most of the elements of the artwork lead you off the edge of the design. That is very bad; if you're designing a cover for a book or DVD or game, the last thing you should be doing is making something that's going to lead to the case sitting next to it. The lightsabers, being so brightly colored, stand out hugely, and how they're angled sends you right off the edge. Malak's cape leads you down and off; HK stops that line and brings it back in a bit but then the alien shoots you right off the bottom again. The half-circle at the bottom seems like a half-hearted attempted at a stopping point but instead just looks out of place. Bastila standing slightly off-center like she is looks like they attempted to use the rule of thirds but didn't do a good job of it.

Now, if Bastila was centered and holding her lightsaber up, so that hers and Malak's sabers formed a 'v' shape that converges on her, with the alien at the bottom moved to the right side, and the entire design moved up a bit and the title moved to the lower half, then the design would be much more solid and interesting. The lines of the lightsabers would bring the eye in and down on Bastila, and there down to the title, which contrasts enough from the rest to act as a stopping point.

KOTOR2's cover art is a bit better as a design, but it still fails in several ways. First of all, Revan is off-center. The lightsabers again just pinball the eye around the image and then off the side. Darth Scabby (I can't remember his name) looks out of place at the bottom, as does the subtitle. And the same half-circle from the first cover is back, and has no purpose at all. I honestly have no idea where they were going with this one, and it really kind of puzzles me. So much of it just looks fine (for example, this time the ships bring your eye in to the title, and not off the edge), and so much is terrible. I think that if they had simply reversed the duel in the center so that Atris was on the left, not the right, it would have gone a long way to fix things, though obviously not everything.

These two.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/archive/9/9e/20060215073637!Evil_Zone.jpg

http://psdtutsarticles.s3.amazonaws.com/linkb_60vgamecovers/45.jpg

Design elements aside (Peach! ), I like that Batman one.

All those fighting game covers are shit, just quietly.


http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/561/235562-mass_effect_large.jpg

Liked the cover, but the game was fair crap.

I was just about to post the Diablo II/LoD. Damn you, MadMel.

Originally posted by Digi
Design elements aside (Peach! ), I like that Batman one.

What? I'm a graphic designer, and my dream job is to do cover art for video games It's impossible for me to look at anything like that casually, I have to give everything a critical eye and see where it works and where it fails

Originally posted by Mist_haermm
All those fighting game covers are shit, just quietly.


I'm inclined to agree; I don't think I've ever seen a fighting game cover that was actually any good (I think Soul Calibur III's is the best, and that one's only okay). They tend to fall into this trap of "must advertise the entire cast" which just makes the artwork far too busy and cluttered.

http://i.imagehost.org/0437/1_67.jpg

Originally posted by No End N Site
These 2, easily.


Even got parodied. Pretty cool

IMO, this cover was better.

http://www.ps3week.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Street-Fighter-Alpha-3.jpg

Edayan manged to fit most of the cast on this cover. A WIN in my book.

As for my favorite cover.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/JACKMEHOFF_/Rival_Schools_2_Burning_Justice_jap.jpg

The 90's, when covers were actually good.

That last one there looks like something I would've lost a signature battle with about 3 years ago.

Sorry.

srug

^Then you have no taste.

From the fire to the epic placements of characters and the transparency of Batsu revealing his comrades locked in a struggle filled with death and teenage violence. Just epic!

Originally posted by Frisky Dingo
IMO, this cover was better.


Edayan manged to fit most of the cast on this cover. A WIN in my book.

As for my favorite cover.

The 90's, when covers were actually good.
First one: Just because a bunch of people have been shoehorned into a limited space does not mean that effort was a good idea. The monochrome color scheme makes it worse, since no one is picked out and the whole mess just looks pointlessly busy. This is an attention-grabbing game cover, not a "Where's Waldo?" book.

Second: Uh... that dude seems to have a girl-shaped tumor on his face... and once again, monochrome.

Covers may have been good in the 90s, but you ought to pick better examples.

The Batman:Arkham Asylum one is pretty awesome looking.

Define best cover art.

And the Batman one is awful because, well, Batman.

Originally posted by BackFire
The Batman:Arkham Asylum one is pretty awesome looking.

The Arkham City art so far has been pretty striking too, imo.

Originally posted by TheAuraAngel
Define best cover art.

And the Batman one is awful because, well, Batman.

hmm? you don't like batman?

Originally posted by TheAuraAngel
Define best cover art.

And the Batman one is awful because, well, Batman.

Posts reasons why. Else you will be labeled an ignoramus.

I don't care for the Arkham Asylum cover art because it's too monotone, there's too much mostly empty space in the background, and Batman just standing there glowering does not make for an interesting cover.

It's technically pretty well done, it's just also quite boring to look at.

Originally posted by Impediment
Posts reasons why. Else you will be labeled an ignoramus.

Dislike of Batman not a good reason? o.e

Meh, it's boring. Of all the interesting characters in the game, they only put Batman on the cover? At least the Joker would have made for a nice addition. That and he is just standing there, which is rather dull for a lone cover person. At least InFamous' cover has Cole look like he is walking towards you.

That said, I still don't know what we're judging as a good cover.

Originally posted by TheAuraAngel
Dislike of Batman not a good reason? o.e

Aside from instantly invalidating any and all subsequent argumets, no.

Anyway, there are worse games that did worse jobs on the same approach for worse reasons. No reason to bring up Arkham Asylum without mentioning Dante's Inferno, Bayonetta, Warrior Within, Yakuza 3, Ninja Gaiden Black, among others.

'Sides, it's still not as disappointing as God of War III's box art, which not only broke the tradition of an otherwise interesting consistency, but was done so for the stupidest reasons.

Originally posted by General Kaliero
First one: Just because a bunch of people have been shoehorned into a limited space does not mean that effort was a good idea. The monochrome color scheme makes it worse, since no one is picked out and the whole mess just looks pointlessly busy. This is an attention-grabbing game cover, not a "Where's Waldo?" book.

Second: Uh... that dude seems to have a girl-shaped tumor on his face... and once again, monochrome.

Covers may have been good in the 90s, but you ought to pick better examples.

You have no eye for exceptional art as it pertains to a particular subject.

Not only this, you are factually incorrect in much of your post. Thus, your opinion on this matter is worthless.

Originally posted by BloodRawEngine
Aside from instantly invalidating any and all subsequent argumets, no.

Anyway, there are worse games that did worse jobs on the same approach for worse reasons. No reason to bring up Arkham Asylum without mentioning Dante's Inferno, Bayonetta, Warrior Within, Yakuza 3, etc.

'Sides, it's still not as disappointing as God of War III's box art.

Better to be openly biased than not.

Arkham Asylum has more of a reason to be critiqued however as it is the only one that has actually been posted(I think?). Bayonetta is worse though, far worse.

lol Kratos' left eye is such an attention grabber and really does sell it huh?

Edit: Cover art really depends on the game and needs to be judged by those standards in my opinion. In that regard, I would rather have my fighting games have a lot of characters on the front to see my options. Or a fantasy game where I can see this strange fantastic world to explore. Or stuff.

I also like the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm cover.

Originally posted by Frisky Dingo
You have no eye for exceptional art as it pertains to a particular subject.

Not only this, you are factually incorrect in much of your post. Thus, your opinion on this matter is worthless.
You want a good example of a "cast shot" fighter cover?

http://pics.mobygames.com/images/covers/large/1207020827-00.jpg

A large group of fighters present, but not mashed together in a confusing morass of colors. Each character is given enough space to show off for themselves a little, and the skewed camera angle and speed lines converging on a third line gives the entire scene a dynamic energy. While not perfect, the characters' posing and arrangement does a decent job of guiding the viewer's eye around the scene (from Pit down to Link, through Pikachu, Mario, and Samus to the title) and the color selection is altogether vibrant and eye-catching. It's not great, but it is very good.

And to their credit, there are no girl-tumor faces present.

Originally posted by General Kaliero
You want a good example of a "cast shot" fighter cover?



A large group of fighters present, but not mashed together in a confusing morass of colors. Each character is given enough space to show off for themselves a little, and the skewed camera angle and speed lines converging on a third line gives the entire scene a dynamic energy. While not perfect, the characters' posing and arrangement does a decent job of guiding the viewer's eye around the scene (from Pit down to Link, through Pikachu, Mario, and Samus to the title) and the color selection is altogether vibrant and eye-catching. It's not great, but it is very good.

And to their credit, there are no girl-tumor faces present.

Is this some kind of joke?! Doom is not amused

That is quite honestly one of the worst, most boring covers of them all. You need to play more fighters, chap. For one, that sort of background is overused and looks rather cheap in this day and age. Next up, the art and style isn't really that good, looks like mediocre fan art. 3rd, the characters don't even look like they're drewn by the same person, the entire cover looks like a cut and paste job. Not to mention a painful lack of "epicness", the background's a bright light yet has no dynamic affects on the characters.

My covers have brilliant character placement and tell a snippet of the story. It let the consumers know who the heroes were and who the villains were. The colors are bright and sharp.

Originally posted by Frisky Dingo
Is this some kind of joke?! Doom is not amused

That is quite honestly one of the worst, most boring covers of them all. You need to play more fighters, chap. For one, that sort of background is overused and looks rather cheap in this day and age. Next up, the art and style isn't really that good, looks like mediocre fan art. 3rd, the characters don't even look like they're drewn by the same person, the entire cover looks like a cut and paste job. Not to mention a painful lack of "epicness", the background's a bright light yet has no dynamic affects on the characters.

My covers have brilliant character placement and tell a snippet of the story. It let the consumers know who the heroes were and who the villains were. The colors are bright and sharp.

The characters in the SSBB cover look like they do in the game. They all originally come from different games with different art styles, and that fact was retained for SSBB's art style. And in fact the bright lighting of the background is reflected on the characters. See those shadows and highlights? Yeah.

Whereas a jumble of random characters, all colored the same, placed in such a way where if you're lucky you can see half a face, and a mediocre logo slapped in the middle covering up most of it...no, there's absolutely no way that's a good design at all. Nor is a bunch of faded images superimposed over a face; that looks like some newbie teenager just got Photoshop and is freaking out over being able to use layers.

A jumbled mess is not epic.

Seriously, this is basic stuff. Things you'd learn in any standard "art for beginners" class that everyone takes in high school.

Originally posted by Peach
Seriously, this is basic stuff. Things you'd learn in any standard "art for beginners" class that everyone takes in high school.

Will point out I went to a crappy high school...so yeah.

That might depend on where you went to school.

All I learned in art was how to sleep in a room with high reverb. XD

Not because I was lazy, but because we didn't learn a damn thing.

Originally posted by Kazenji
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9160/duke3d.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6997/thiefthedarkprojectcove.jpg Haha, the old Duke Nukem one.

Originally posted by Frisky Dingo
Is this some kind of joke?! Doom is not amused

That is quite honestly one of the worst, most boring covers of them all. You need to play more fighters, chap. For one, that sort of background is overused and looks rather cheap in this day and age. Next up, the art and style isn't really that good, looks like mediocre fan art. 3rd, the characters don't even look like they're drewn by the same person, the entire cover looks like a cut and paste job. Not to mention a painful lack of "epicness", the background's a bright light yet has no dynamic affects on the characters.

Agreed. That SSB cover is phuckin' lame yo. And it's really sad cuz the tech to do a better job is available. That shit looks like it took all of 5 minutes to make. I put that in the same boat with SSFIV cover.

Still, my A2 cover beats the A3 cover hands down. When your cover is inspiration for Scott Pilgrim's, call me. EAT IT, art snob!

Another Classic

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5733/600fulldoomcover.jpg

I want that guy's jacket...

This is one of my favorites.

http://mimg.ugo.com/201006/49176/transformers.jpg

Originally posted by Peach
The characters in the SSBB cover look like they do in the game. They all originally come from different games with different art styles, and that fact was retained for SSBB's art style. And in fact the bright lighting of the background is reflected on the characters. See those shadows and highlights? Yeah.

Whereas a jumble of random characters, all colored the same, placed in such a way where if you're lucky you can see half a face, and a mediocre logo slapped in the middle covering up most of it...no, there's absolutely no way that's a good design at all. Nor is a bunch of faded images superimposed over a face; that looks like some newbie teenager just got Photoshop and is freaking out over being able to use layers.

A jumbled mess is not epic.

Seriously, this is basic stuff. Things you'd learn in any standard "art for beginners" class that everyone takes in high school.

They didn't need to make the art style uniform, but they did a lazy job of placing all the characters on the cover properly to make it appears as if it were single game and not compilation disc. And I said "DYNAMIC" affects, not just affects. The lighting in the background leaves a very poor and uninteresting shine and shadow on the characters. It's amazing how you could think this is a "good" example since SSBB's cover is widely considered trash.

You pretty much just Parroted what the other person said and thus, you are wrong.

The "art for beginners class" you attended must have been poorly funded. Damn budget cuts!

Originally posted by No End N Site


Still, my A2 cover beats the A3 cover hands down. When your cover is inspiration for Scott Pilgrim's, call me. EAT IT, art snob!

Cover ART is subjective my friend, you would do well to remember that. And since when was Scott Pilgrim the decider of anything not related to SP?

And I am not a "snob"! You blind fool!

Widely considered trash among who, exactly? Come on, back up your statements. Considered 'trash' among professionals, or among SF fanboys?

The artwork for the A3 cover looks like it was drawn with being a poster in mind. It would work quite well as a poster, in fact. At a large size, while it would still be cluttered, you could at least differentiate all of the different characters. It wouldn't change the fact that they're so very haphazardly placed, half the characters are barely visible because they're hidden behind someone else, everyone has their own light source, and there's absolutely no flow to it whatsoever, but it would be better.

The logo placement, however, really kills it. It's as if the art was designed with no thought at all as to where the logo was going to go, and the logo was just slapped on in the middle of the image. It's covering half of Cammy's face, FFS. Now, if the logo had been placed in the lower left corner, framing the Capcom logo, then it would work much better. It wouldn't save the cluttered mess that is the artwork, but at least the logo wouldn't hide half the art.

And what, praytell, 'dynamic' effects is lighting supposed to have other than highlights and shadows?

Art is subjective, but use of design elements in an image and how they work together is not. You can like something all you like, but if it doesn't properly utilize the important elements of a design, then it's not a good design, period. It doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad piece of art, but the art itself is only one part of being a design.

But hey, you know, I only have extensive training in this sort of thing and get paid to do graphic design, and have designed game covers before (among a slew of other things). What could I possibly know?

--

The Deus Ex cover is great, and I like that someone other than me has actually posted reasoning as to why they like something. Sound, logic-based reasoning, too, other than "it looks pretty"!

Transformers is nice, but I feel that style is a bit of an overdone trend at the moment. Unfortunately the background is a bit too washed out, but it does do a good job at making the logo and Optimus stand out. Also the lens flare irritates the hell out of me, but at least it's not a Photoshop filter one and is decently done It's just too overpowering.

I was in art school but I don't think that makes any person more "right" or wrong in this case, people are generally going to choose the cover to the game they like more. With few exceptions.

This is no different than the "best console" or "best game" threads. It just becomes a fan war.

So then I'll just quote this again -



There is more to a piece of cover art than the actual artwork itself. Art is part of a design, but only one part of it.

Quite a few games that have covers I've slammed I like, and a few that I like a lot I either don't like the game itself that much, or I haven't played it. Believe it or not, people can look at this sort of thing objectively.

http://assets.vg247.com/current//2010/01/Heavy-Rain-US-Cover.jpg

http://mmomfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Heavy-Rain-World-Art.jpg

Originally posted by Tha C-Master
I was in art school but I don't think that makes any person more "right" or wrong in this case, people are generally going to choose the cover to the game they like more. With few exceptions.

This is no different than the "best console" or "best game" threads. It just becomes a fan war.
Ostensibly, this is a "best cover art" thread, not a "favorite cover art" thread. I've never played Duke Nukem or any of the Deus Ex series, but the covers are objectively well-done. I hated Fable and Borderlands but I love the cover art. I love Portal 2 but I think the cover art is boring.

Opinions on the games themselves shouldn't matter here. The title seems to be referring to an objective artistic basis, not subjective favoritism. Given that, some covers are going to be objectively better than others, people's opinions on the games themselves be damned.

I like these.
http://images.wikia.com/kingdomhearts/images/5/5e/Kingdom_Hearts_EU.jpg

http://pics.mobygames.com/images/covers/large/1232038828-00.jpg

inFamous 2 also has good art in Europe. And I always thought Majora's Mask's art was kind of cool, despite how plain it seems to be.

Oh, here's a picture of inFamous 2's art.

http://www.ps3trophies.org/images/news/infamous2_cover_art.jpg

Here's another favorite of mine.

Originally posted by Peach
So then I'll just quote this again -



There is more to a piece of cover art than the actual artwork itself. Art is part of a design, but only one part of it.

Quite a few games that have covers I've slammed I like, and a few that I like a lot I either don't like the game itself that much, or I haven't played it. Believe it or not, people can look at this sort of thing objectively. It is still "the best art cover" of all time, not to mention when "of all time" is used people are generally going to choose what they like more. A better title would be "good art covers", keeps the bias out, or helps to reduce it.

Art is definitely subjective, and it is true that certain things work well with the eyes and mood. Batman for instance is monochrome because Batman is a "Dark Character" and his game is "Dark".

People like certain structures because of what they like, but some structures are designed better. So it applies to anything.

You may like a game, but it can have lackluster controls, graphics, story, and gameplay. So there is a difference.Originally posted by General Kaliero
Ostensibly, this is a "best cover art" thread, not a "favorite cover art" thread. I've never played Duke Nukem or any of the Deus Ex series, but the covers are objectively well-done. I hated Fable and Borderlands but I love the cover art. I love Portal 2 but I think the cover art is boring.

Opinions on the games themselves shouldn't matter here. The title seems to be referring to an objective artistic basis, not subjective favoritism. Given that, some covers are going to be objectively better than others, people's opinions on the games themselves be damned. I agree that some things are going to be perceived as better made or whatnot even if the game is not their favorite. It just doesn't happen generally. People will pick games they like and have more exposure to, human nature and all of that.

I do like The Duke Cover and the Batman cover and a few others, so I like to be objective. Being an art person myself the acceptance of design changes between cultures, times, moods, etc.

Originally posted by Frisky Dingo
Cover ART is subjective my friend, you would do well to remember that. And since when was Scott Pilgrim the decider of anything not related to SP?




Yeah, that's basic knowledge buddy. It is subjective, which is why I don't get why you even waste the effort to argue down 3 mod opinions. You're engagin in a loosin battle for the sake of nothin at the end of it all.

And Scott Pilgrim is LAW!
Originally posted by General Kaliero
Indeed, he's not a snob. He doesn't get art at all.

I always call dude that every time the subject of art comes up. Dude does "abstract" (WTF) art and sells it for like 500$? And people actually buy it.

I'll never understand why people spend money on art that looks like a 5 year old drew it. But whatever, that's my opinion and I'll let you all argue 'bout that shit.

@Frisky, don't you and your secret art guild have a site?


Originally posted by Tha C-Master
It is still "the best art cover" of all time, not to mention when "of all time" is used people are generally going to choose what they like more. A better title would be "good art covers", keeps the bias out, or helps to reduce it.

Art is definitely subjective, and it is true that certain things work well with the eyes and mood. Batman for instance is monochrome because Batman is a "Dark Character" and his game is "Dark".

People like certain structures because of what they like, but some structures are designed better. So it applies to anything.

You may like a game, but it can have lackluster controls, graphics, story, and gameplay. So there is a difference. I agree that some things are going to be perceived as better made or whatnot even if the game is not their favorite. It just doesn't happen generally. People will pick games they like and have more exposure to, human nature and all of that.

I do like The Duke Cover and the Batman cover and a few others, so I like to be objective. Being an art person myself the acceptance of design changes between cultures, times, moods, etc.

And this is why you da man! You like the grownest dude on the forum. I am 2nd. Don't dispute it.

Imma keep it real. If motha ****in' cover art aint got characters on it, that I like or recognize, to hell with it.

@ No End: We did.

Originally posted by Peach
Widely considered trash among who, exactly? Come on, back up your statements. Considered 'trash' among professionals, or among SF fanboys?



Among people who are not total Nintendo fanboy/girls. Many went out of their way to design better covers for that game. All you have to do is google it. The only thing good about that cover was it showed the game was rated teen.

I'm finished arguing about VG covers. This became incredibly unbearable to continue when folks began bringing up how they went to art school as if they were the only humans on the planet to do so. Like that matters in the least and gives the individual an authority on whats "good" work and what's not. Art is not a science.

And FYI, I major in Commercial Art and Advertising.

Originally posted by Frisky Dingo

And FYI, I major in Commercial Art and Advertising.

YEAH! Make you're own damn sigs!

Lulz @ you people and your "art schools". Schools for the intellectually lazy and challenged. Ya'know what they say, "If you're not smart, pursue art." The alternative to flippin burgers. lmao

Originally posted by Frisky Dingo
@ No End: We did.



Among people who are not total Nintendo fanboy/girls. Many went out of their way to design better covers for that game. All you have to do is google it. The only thing good about that cover was it showed the game was rated teen.

I'm finished arguing about VG covers. This became incredibly unbearable to continue when folks began bringing up how they went to art school as if they were the only humans on the planet to do so. Like that matters in the least and gives the individual an authority on whats "good" work and what's not. Art is not a science.

And FYI, I major in Commercial Art and Advertising.
So... you can't back up your statements.

And then you run out of the argument once you realize you can't back up your statements.

Art is a science inasmuch as there are defined techniques that are superior for specific types of presentation, and for achieving specific goals. You'd think someone who actually majored in art would get that.

Originally posted by No End N Site
YEAH! Make you're own damn sigs!

Lulz @ you people and your "art schools". Schools for the intellectually lazy and challenged. Ya'know what they say, "If you're not smart, pursue art." Lmao
I'm not even going to touch this ridiculous piece of homespun, Philistine "wisdom." Except to call you a Philistine. You Philistine.

I'm not a Nintendo fan, though, and I don't particularly think that SSBB's cover is that great. However, it's still miles better than the SF covers posted.

You've still yet to back up a single thing you've said.

And if you're studying commercial art like you claim you are, then you should know these things I'm saying, FFS.

No End, knock it off with the censor bypass BS. This is a warning, do it again and it'll be a ban.

Edit: Oh, look, that old tired "people who do art can't be intelligent" argument...has there ever been anything to back that up? Are people not allowed to study something they enjoy?

I don't see what getting that perfect nut shot on one of the super bowl commercials has to do with objectively criticizing art.

Originally posted by Peach
I'm not a Nintendo fan, though, and I don't particularly think that SSBB's cover is that great. However, it's still miles better than the SF covers posted.

You've still yet to back up a single thing you've said.

And if you're studying commercial art like you claim you are, then you should know these things I'm saying, FFS.






You are simply not looking at the piece with an open mind. My last words for this topic are; the cover appeals to its audience. Unlike the SSBB cover. It serves it's purpose very well, and the issues you have with the cover are because YOU can not understand what is going on in the overall image because of your rigid reasoning and "training". The OP says nothing about how the member who comments in the thread is suppose to see the examples he or she has presented.

The cover is not meant for the self proclaimed artist, it's meant for the fan or average consumer who is buying it. And most consumers are not asking themselves if the covers follow what they learned in school.

Originally posted by General Kaliero
So... you can't back up your statements.

And then you run out of the argument once you realize you can't back up your statements.

Art is a science inasmuch as there are defined techniques that are superior for specific types of presentation, and for achieving specific goals. You'd think someone who actually majored in art would get that.


I was about half serious when this discussion first began. You have no idea what you're talking about and are on nothing more than an ego trip at this point. I see no point in arguing with you because it does nothing for me today in my life.

Originally posted by No End N Site


Lulz @ you people and your "art schools". Schools for the intellectually lazy and challenged. Ya'know what they say, "If you're not smart, pursue art." The alternative to flippin burgers. lmao

The alternative to "flipping burgers" is creating some of the things you cherish most in this world. Shameful really.

^Cool story bro.
Originally posted by General Kaliero



I'm not even going to touch this ridiculous piece of homespun, Philistine "wisdom." Except to call you a Philistine. You Philistine. I looked up what Philistine meant, and no, I am not that. Nope.

And at everyone else with a problem with what I said. It's the truth, deal with it.

So, then, what exactly is going on in the SF A2 cover? What is the cover meant to present?

Something can be a poor design and still appeal to the eye and be attention-grabbing, I've never said otherwise, btw.

And how on earth is GK going on an "ego trip" when all he's doing is disagreeing with your statements? No one's saying "agree with me or be banned". Seriously, now you're just being ridiculous.

This reminds me of the thread I made. "What makes a good game." People like certain games more, but it doesn't make them better made.

I like some of SF art. I can see what they mean by the image though and the one color mesh of characters. I don't think it is "bad", but I think SF has made more impressive art myself. I'd give it a 7 roughly.

Originally posted by Frisky Dingo


You are simply not looking at the piece with an open mind. My last words for this topic are; the cover appeals to its audience. Unlike the SSBB cover. It serves it's purpose very well, and the issues you have with the cover are because YOU can not understand what is going on in the overall image because of your rigid reasoning and "training". The OP says nothing about how the member who comments in the thread is suppose to see the examples he or she has presented.

The cover is not meant for the self proclaimed artist, it's meant for the fan or average consumer who is buying it. And most consumers are not asking themselves if the covers follow what they learned in school.



I was about half serious when this discussion first began. You have no idea what you're talking about and are on nothing more than an ego trip at this point. I see no point in arguing with you because it does nothing for me today in my life.



The alternative to "flipping burgers" is creating some of the things you cherish most in this world. Shameful really.
The purpose of learning the underlying aspects of presentation is so you can design products that appeal naturally to those who haven't learned those aspects. Some of the covers adhere to those aspects of presentation, and some do not. The cover of your favorite game does not. We have presented reasons why it does not.

Are we telling you that you have to not like the cover? Hell no. You can go ahead liking it all you want. How much any specific person likes a cover is not the subject at hand.

To claim that I have "no idea" what I'm talking about is swinging dangerously close to flaming.

Lol @ Vanilla Alpha 3 being Frisky's favorite game.Originally posted by Tha C-Master
This reminds me of the thread I made. "What makes a good game." People like certain games more, but it doesn't make them better made.


What defines better made tho? How can you not like a well made game? And you know I have no bias at all, in that respect (how good game is). You know I would die to protect the greatness of MVC2 and SFIII and I'll tell you in a minute that MVC3 is shit and SFIV is for the kids.

I just noticed that he's typing everything in full. I appreciate that FD.

Man, those Street Fighter covers really do like crap. That's an opinion of your average customer who doesn't know more about art than the next guy. Honestly though, I couldn't give less of a damn about cover art. All of it could be replaced with toilet paper and I probably wouldn't even notice.

lol.

Silly thread.

Originally posted by ArtificialGlory
All of it could be replaced with toilet paper and I probably wouldn't even notice.

I somehow doubt that. Just because you don't think specifically about something doesn't mean you wouldn't notice a lack of it.

Originally posted by Peach
I somehow doubt that. Just because you don't think specifically about something doesn't mean you wouldn't notice a lack of it.

Hehe, I was being facetious :P. Seriously though, if I made a list of what matters to me about a video game, box art wouldn't even make that list.

Originally posted by Zack Fair
lol.

Silly thread.

Indeed.

And though I do not consider the cover of KH spectacular in any way shape or form, considering I never purchased it, I do have friends who testified that they bought it cause the cover looked nice to them. So I guess it did an okay job if that is what counts.

Alex Ross's Artwork of the collectors edition cover of MK vs DC was pretty good.

http://www.dreadcentral.com/img/news/oct08/mkdc_xb360_kollectors_fob.jpg

besides loving the game series I really like this cover. Didn't like the New Vegas cover nearly as much.http://img.listal.com/image/449968/936full-fallout-3-cover.jpg

I like that cover.Originally posted by Peach
I'm not a Nintendo fan, though, and I don't particularly think that SSBB's cover is that great. However, it's still miles better than the SF covers posted.

You've still yet to back up a single thing you've said.

And if you're studying commercial art like you claim you are, then you should know these things I'm saying, FFS.

No End, knock it off with the censor bypass BS. This is a warning, do it again and it'll be a ban.

Edit: Oh, look, that old tired "people who do art can't be intelligent" argument...has there ever been anything to back that up? Are people not allowed to study something they enjoy? Wait who said that? Artistic ability is one of many forms of intelligence/skill. Intelligence isn't just math/science. School doesn't even cover the different types of intelligences, it focuses on linguistic mainly. And school teaching is... bleh

I've gone to school for everything at one point.

Originally posted by Tha C-Master
Wait who said that?

I did.

30GD25un0XQ

Originally posted by No End N Site
I did.

30GD25un0XQ Yes. Shame on you. Art isn't science, it is art. There is an art and science to everything.

http://psdtutsarticles.s3.amazonaws.com/linkb_60vgamecovers/44.jpg

Not that great the one for Doom is much better.

Originally posted by Kazenji
Not that great the one for Doom is much better.

Your right but its already taken

Only commenting on the cover since others have for others.

http://cdn.gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Crysis-2-Boxart-Revealed.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KNqKjLGRpg0/TQouy8c4w8I/AAAAAAAAAI4/NhZq0XeB07w/s1600/resident_evil_4_box_pal.jpg

I know there are better covers for RE4 than that...

Originally posted by Ridley_Prime
I know there are better covers for RE4 than that...

Theres a ton but that ones the best to me

The cover for the Wii version is the best in my opinion. I think the night blue works better than red, and it does a good job of showing off Leon.

http://yudontnojack.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/resident-evil-4-cover.jpg

I really like the Fallout 3 cover too. The pose and idea are a bit boring, but there's just so much texture in there I don't think it matters.

The PAL Cover to God Of War 1 is heaps better then the NTSC one imo

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/3746/godofwarl.jpg

Meh...
This is the best cover of RE4, imo.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fPlTWd5PBSM/S8w5nCdO_JI/AAAAAAAAAS4/dsoi2a2vSHA/s1600/RE4CoverPs2.jpg

Originally posted by Tha C-Master
I like that cover. Wait who said that? Artistic ability is one of many forms of intelligence/skill. Intelligence isn't just math/science. School doesn't even cover the different types of intelligences, it focuses on linguistic mainly. And school teaching is... bleh

I've gone to school for everything at one point.

And just because someone does art doesn't mean that they're lacking intelligence in math or science...it just means they like art.

Originally posted by Peach
And just because someone does art doesn't mean that they're lacking intelligence in math or science...it just means they like art. I myself am right/left brained. Also Ambidextrous like to be physical, like math, science, and business, good at speaking, etc. Those are different types of intelligences and skillsets.

Now there are many "art" people who aren't left brained, and vice versa, but it's not always the case. As we're seeing now, the people who thought sciences were a sure bet in life are finding that it isn't.

I like everything so I focused on business and implementing everything I like into it.

I had nothing to contribute to this topic.

Originally posted by Kazenji
The PAL Cover to God Of War 1 is heaps better then the NTSC one imo

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/3746/godofwarl.jpg

lolno. The only halfway decent PAL cover I've seen in a God of War game was III's, and that's only because it's the same as the US. But then there's the factor that GoWIII's cover is already a disappointing one in its own right. The rest of the PAL covers are pretty much just last minute photoshops by comparison. At least the US covers had a consistent theme to them until the guy God of War III's box art went and shat on it. Hell they barely even bothered to fix that with Ghost of Sparta (which is still a nice enough cover art, granted), especially when the very first promotional image they had was probably the most ideal picture they could've gone with.

Hell, those high-res renders from God of War 1 were pretty ****ing ugly to begin with; I know Kratos isn't a prettyboy, but that picture and the other such renders just made him look like he walked out of the paleolithic era.

You don't think Kratos is very handsome?

In regards to being a slick, prettyboy chode-type character? No, and thankfully so. Developers have gone out of their way and admitted that Kratos is "intentionally not beautiful". But then, most of such characters are often from Japan, and you can count on one hand the number of rugged, masculine video game characters they've made (3-4).

Lol, true. His ugliness goes well with his personality. So it works.

Originally posted by BloodRawEngine
lolno.

lol....yes

we can agree/disagree as much as we like fact is i found the PAL cover bette then the NTSC cover.

http://thebuzzmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/uncharted_box_art.jpg

http://timewarpgamer.com/images/nes/mega_man2/mega_man2_box_eu.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/79/Cv2_nes.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/24/Castlevania_NES_box_art.jpg

What are your thoughts on the first cover posted, Peach/Kaliero?

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9311/250pxxenobladebox.png

Multiple elements point directly to the title of the game, from the titular blade pointing upwards towards it, to its placement underneath the giant God where your eyes slowly lead down to it as you observe the God from top to bottom, to its placement dead in the center of the cover, spreading across its entire width with large, powerful letters that dominate the background. The Japanese characters give the title an air of elegance about it, and are perfectly position at the midway point underneath the lettered title. The titular blade and the title create a sort of triangular image which subconsciously encourages the observer to look upwards and outwards throughout the image. The logos are pushed to the edges of the cover, but are also adequately clear and distinct, so as to enable seamless observation of it for informative purposes when looked at length, while at the same time keeping it firmly in the background so that the cover art itself dominates the picture.

The cover's full of life and colour, painting a picture of a very pleasant and captivating world to explore. The design of the God is detailed and imaginative with a powerful and alien look about it, and the manner with which it looks down towards the world, down towards the player, creates a sort of ominous feeling, and the manner with which the God blends in with the sky and clouds gives it a sort of intruige, a sense of wonder and adventure. These contrasting feelings have become emblematic of fantasy storytelling - a pure and peaceful world of beauty, with dark and secretive roots a bit further below the surface, faced with imminent danger and tragedy - and match the tone of Xenoblade quite nicely.

As far as what the cover means with respect to the game itself, it includes the image of the very object the title references: the Xenoblade, which acts as an integral component of the game's storyline, and it also gives the player a look at what largely defines Xenoblade's setting and makes the game so unique: the corpses of two Giant Gods that died in battle against one another - that is essentially what the game world is, and you as the player get to adventure across the entirety of both corpses during the games, and that is essentially what the cover is showing you - the world below which is in actuality the body of one of the two Gods, with the other clear to see in the sky, for you to travel to at a later stage in your adventures.

The cover stands out for being captivating to look at with detailed and imaginative imagery that create a sense of atmosphere and feeling, for appropriately reflecting the experience of playing the game itself, and fulfilling the function of drawing the individual into the title of the game. I submit that it's the finest cover art that has yet been posted in this thread.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/2990/monkeyisland2.jpg

http://thegamingliberty.com/wp-content/uploads/DARKNESS2BA-889x1024.jpg