Boxart shenanigans.

[Gaffer]

Has anyone noticed how different boxart can be between different regions? Well it is obvious, but what is interesting is that usually I think our boxart covers in Europe tend to be a bit better than others (when there is a difference that is).

As an example, let's take a look at an upcoming game for the Wii....Resident Evil 4.
Now, if you've never played one before, here's what you might be thinking based on the boxart alone (NA version on left, EU version on right):
. . . . . . . . . . .

NA: "meh, yet another survival horror game"
EU: "Wow, that looks like the bloke from Texas Chanisaw massacre. Intriguing. I wonder what the games about/like. I must buy this"



Even non-Wii title tend to get better covers in the EU (NA version on left, EU version on right):
. . . . . . . . . . .

NA: "It's a little boy with some wood. He's wearing horns. He must be shpeshul. Oh look, an ickle girl. This must be an adventure game. wowwwwwwww an adventure game. Can I play this on the toilet?"
EU: "Interesting, it looks like a character running away with someone. Fantastic looking artwork. Quite unique in fact. I'm intrigued...I think I'll look into this one..."



I think that EU artwork tends to be:

• more subtle
• can leave you guessing a bit more as to the game itself
• makes you interested enough to buy/at least investigate further a lot of the time

It doesn't end there....heck, even the bog-standard titles can look better over here (NA version on left, EU version on right):

. . . . . . . . . . .

...so even ignoring the more "toned down"/less "in yer face" nature, many a time, the artwork simply looks nicer in Euroland anyway (I'm generalising a bit and I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule.....but I'm playing devils advocate here ).

Again, this is when there are differences at all, but I think we tend to have better artwork over here when there are......and that's no bad thing .

[FooFan]

Good stuff!
I definately prefer the EU version of those 3 examples

It looks like the NA versions tend to show computer generated pictures, or even screenshots, as the main bulk of the cover. Whereas the EU ones seem to be more thought about and less to do with the actual game itself than getting the potential customers insterested with a great looking piece of artwork.

Maybe more time is spent on it for the EU versions? Probably why we're always at the back of the line for games Too Busy drawing fancy pictures for our covers

[ferrydaniel21]

Great Post Gaffer, Very Interesting

[wii_man76]

I actually prefer the look of the NA ones!

[FooFan]

Originally Posted by wii_man76

I actually prefer the look of the NA ones!

Always one

Even the Wii Play one?? Cos I think that looks really tacky

[Gaffer]

Originally Posted by wii_man76

I actually prefer the look of the NA ones!

You must be joking

Have a look at the terrible NA version of Ico and say that with a straight face .

The EU one is based on artwork by de Chirico btw.....especially influenced by this piece of his.

[DIABLO]

The EU one's are the best IMHO

[Scotty32]

well, personally, id say that the Res Evil cover looks best for NA, maybe its the fact that the EU one "looks like the bloke from Texas Chanisaw massacre" or maybe its the fact its just Black and White that puts me off, i dont know

but definately on Ico, the NA one looks "kiddyish" but the EU one looks more interesting.

not sure bout the Wii Play one. in terms of Design, the EU one looks better, but as a game, the NA one looks more interesting, as it shows 3D graphics, but EU shows cartoons - which looks like the game would be sucky and 2D.


since we all like different things, maybe NA nearly like that kind of cover, and EU like there covers - market for the audience

[bootnut]

to me the na versions are not acceptable for a professional product, but they probably think the same for our cases.

but then look at the £400,000 2012 olympic logo!

[mewmaxwii]

i prefer all the left ones. eu? but resi 4 usa has a nice blue