BioShock Infinite opens poll for second cover
BioShock Infinite will feature a reversible cover for those who don't want to look at the one designed for "frathouses," and Irrational is holding a poll on which one to include.
After the BioShock Infinite box art (above) received a notably tepid reception from the gaming community, series creator Ken Levine chipped in with a very frank and honest explanation. Essentially: This cover isn't for you, Mr. Informed Gamer, it's for the frat houses because the game needs to sell. But he promised that the company would release downloadable covers that players could print out on their own. Now, it's actually doing one better.
A post from Levine on the Irrational site announces that in addition to the downloadable covers, the game will include one reversible cover as voted on by fans. Polling is now open with six available options. Right now, the fourth cover is running away with it, a mostly monochromatic theater poster styled design. The sixth cover, a familiar piece of game art featuring Elizabeth and Songbird, is its closest competitor, and the other four have been left in the dust. Polling is open until next Wednesday, December 19.
Chances are the losing five will still be available among the downloadable selections, but Levine promises "a whole mess of MORE alternate covers." He also invites fans to talk about cover ideas on the game's forum.
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replySteve Watts posted a new article, BioShock Infinite opens poll for second cover.
BioShock Infinite will feature a reversible cover for those who don't want to look at the one designed for "frathouses," and Irrational is holding a poll on which one to include.-
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Haha, yeah. For a moment when I saw the cover I was thinking "oh yeah that sucks" but then I realized I only buy games on Steam these days.
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The thing is though, when your box art is meant to appeal to "Frat boys", what does that say about the game? Because the trailer fucking sucked too. Thought I was watching another Call of Duty trailer.
It's not "just" the box art, it's indicative of a boring game. It's like, BioShock 1 had an awesome story with pretty good game play. #2 Had a worse store but better game play. Based off the artwork and trailer, it's fair to think the story will be garbage in this one, and that's a damn shame because it's why #1 was so good. -
The box art is also the visual identity of any game on Steam, as well as any other online purchase service (XBox Live, PSN), and any game info/trivia database (MobyGames, Giant Bomb, Wikia).
It's sad that Take Two's marketing department kicked Ken Levine around, but sadder that Levine barely posed any resistance.-
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no it's just that's a thing that doesn't exist and for someone as meticulous as archvile it makes me twitchy that he doesn't say Irrational and 2K Games' marketing departments because that's who actually works on it. maybe he doesn't want to believe devs can have marketing departments because we are all clearly spawns of satan.
brb going to sacrifice a chicken before my live stream.-
No, it was a different assumption: that Take Two was pulling rank over Irrational in terms of marketing.
If the marketing departments of 2K and Irrational worked together on the ultimate box cover... well, I guess we should be happy that they're letting Ken Levine run a poll for an alternate inside cover. And that there's more attention brought to the woeful state of American game box art being emphasized as "impulse-buy-drawing marketing" instead of "the at-a-glance visual identity of our product".
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I'm so sorry for your wallet. Unless you turn around and immediately sell the game right after you finish it.
I used to care deeply about the issue, but the moment there were 25 games for $50 sales (Eidos' Batman Arkham Asylum pack in 2009)... my thoughts transitioned to, "That's not bad deal, even for an extended rental. Done."
And you know? I haven't ever regretted the convenience and massive savings since.
There's also GOG.com. Good people there.
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I thought the last one was better. 4 just reminded me of hipster movie poster bullshit.
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I agree totally with you. #4 seems to be not good at the design. #6 would be nice with a lady and Songbird.
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It's too minimalist hip please buy my limited edition movie poster I made of this old movie.
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Yes, I realize that. However, after I've installed the game, I certainly don't give a shit about what box art is displayed. It goes into the dark recesses of storage (and if it's steamworks - never seen again). Box art is all about selling the game to the masses that walk in Best Buy/Gamestop without having any knowledge of what's new and exciting.
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Well, that's you then. I'm sure many people would disagree. I rather enjoy good box art on my shelves and when I take out a game after some time to play it again (which I do here and there), I rather like to look at a fine cover than some casual shooter "buy this game, shit-for-brains" cover.
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Unfortunately, I have far too many games to keep boxes on display. I don't have them all installed at the same time, but will keep a variation based upon multiplayer, single-player, RTS, FPS, RPG, something quick to kill, etc. Though admittedly my stash of boxes has become stagnant as I find myself purchasing more games digitally.
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The front cover will still have Demographix Dudebro. This poll is for what will be printed on the inside, which will not be visible until the purchaser takes off the shrinkwrap and flips the cover leaf around.
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You are wrong, here is why:
ICO: http://firsthour.net/screenshots/ico/ico-cover.jpg
ICO us: http://thoseguys.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Ico.jpg
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Lol these are all bad. Even worse. Soooo, I did my part by voting for the worst one with the highest chance of winning.
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#5 is great, but they'd NEVER do a real cover like that.
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Also, LOL at fratboys buying Bioshock. It has no multiplayer so why would they?
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Opinions and preferences. Everyone has them. Out of that bunch I'd take 5.
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That could be tweaked. I am talking about having the woman out front. She's a major part of the story and the cover they have now shows nothing of her.
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Honestly? This should be the alternate cover: http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/17c114d83fa1f9a0138312e125d82a78.jpg
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Replace the newspaper trade dress with the title logo and it'd be just fine for general audiences and "frat houses". Its got a gun and boobs, but is still a phenomenal piece of art that accurately represents the the games content and tone.
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sweet. glad they realized they could just do a reversible one.
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I love this kind of lemonade
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I agree, I kind of like the original. Seems cinematic. Also to echo other's comments, what does it actually matter. I look at the box art for like .5 seconds before booting up a game.
Digression: What about downloadable stuff on Xbox that has no cover art?
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This is marketing not news.
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welcome to games journalism!
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