Meet the Box Art for Left 4 Dead 3 - Er, Heavy Rain

[Lord Krunk]

Hahaha. While I feel like far too big of a misanthrope saying this, I think I understand why they took this route perfectly.

You see, the feature that dominates the European edition's boxart is the crane. Stylistic; noir; thrilling. Excellent from an art point-of-view.

The thing that dominates the American boxart is a woman. More specifically, a woman's breasts. More specifically, a woman's breasts, slightly glistening with rain.

That's probably why they simplified the typeface. Also, there's more light on the left side of the picture, as well as a lot more activity. Can't help but accuse the boobs.

This is probably closest to the money. Boobs sell copies. Style comes second.

I prefer the European box art myself, and if I saw it in a store opposed to the American cover I would buy it instead. Why? Because it has mystery; I want to see what's so symbolic about the bloodstained origami. The American one just looks generic and doesn't stand out form the multitude of other games out there. If I really want boobs, I'll play Bayonetta or a Soul Calibur game.

 

[Snowalker]

The EU box art is a lot nicer IMO. I've never really understood companies need to redesign the packaging for different markets.

Really? I mean I agree with the fact that the EU box art is better, but you seriously have no idea why companies redesign for different markets? Honestly, you like answered the question with the question, they do so because its different markets. That would like me tring to sell tap water to Americans and Africans. In America, I'd have piss poor business because they'd know its just fucking tap water, so I would have to come up with some gimmick to make mine seem better. Whilst in Africa I could say its just fucking tap water and probably be just fine.

I never said I didn't know why. I said I didn't understand the need. For some products I admit it is necessary. At least in my experience between US and EU, the gamers seem to have similar tastes. Now the Asian market is a different story.

For myself, the US box art actually doesn't interest me. If I knew nothing of the game and I saw the US box art, I probably would pass right by it. The EU version would at least make me pick up the box and read the back just to see what that is all about.

Point taken, misread.

 

[data_not_found]

Alyx Vance, eat your heart out. We have a new love. Her name is... um... tank top; Wet Tanktop.

 

[docbox1567]

Funny comparison to Left 4 Dead. It?s amazing to me how games that are directed at straight males don?t really like having women as main characters in them. There is no reason why two of the five leading characters could have been women with big ta-tas in a drenched wet t-shirt contest. And while we?re at it, why does all the characters have to be white? It?s like the game is telling us that women are 25% interesting and non-whites don?t make for good relatable characters.

 

[Jumplion]

Yes, I believe we are all in consensus here, the EU box-art is much better (or if we're not all in consensus, I believe it's better).

God, America and our posters. Seriously, can nothing be subtle? Seriously, take a look at this article [http://www.gamesradar.com/f/why-japanese-box-art-is-better/a-20080729123833874037] and tell me that there isn't just something wrong with American box-art.

The EU version of the cover is much more subtle, more brooding, all you see is a picture of an origami crane with blood on it. How mysterious!

The US version of the cover is much more busy showing all 4 characters in the game, all disproportionate to the actual interactivity with the characters. Not one single character is more important than the other, but as DxStrife said;

Story in short: someone from Sony USA looked at the European box art and said "not enough tits."

This version makes it look like Madison Page is the main character and everyone else is just a "supporting" character, when really they are all important to the story in their own way.

Of course, I'm still going to buy the hell out of Heavy Rain, I could care less what the boxart it, though I just wanted to get in on the conversation...

 

[RatRace123]

I'm not sure the boxart matters, the people who know about Heavy Rain are going to be some of the only ones to get it. It's too unknown to most, and it's not that mainstream.
But whatever, I'm still gonna get it.

 

[silversun101]

Yes, I believe we are all in consensus here, the EU box-art is much better (or if we're not all in consensus, I believe it's better).

God, America and our posters. Seriously, can nothing be subtle? Seriously, take a look at this article [http://www.gamesradar.com/f/why-japanese-box-art-is-better/a-20080729123833874037] and tell me that there isn't just something wrong with American box-art.

Though I am on your side about Heavy Rain's USA art fiasco, I'm going to have to disagree with the link you posted, mainly because the author seems to constantly contradict himself in his own article. One minute he is saying Japanese box art keeps its priorities straight by choosing to plaster a half-naked chick across the box of a wrestling game in favor of showing the wrestlers, yet he later slams against American art for not being subtle and nuanced, conveniently forgetting the menagerie of Japanese cheesecake we just scrolled through. Its like, "dude, i think you spilled a little bias all over your page."

Some art translates better than others, in this particular case EU has the winner, but that isn't necessarily the rule, and it does often come down to personal taste.

 

[Jumplion]

Though I am on your side about Heavy Rain's USA art fiasco, I'm going to have to disagree with the link you posted, mainly because the author seems to constantly contradict himself in his own article. One minute he is saying Japanese box art keeps its priorities straight by choosing to plaster a half-naked chick across the box of a wrestling game in favor of showing the wrestlers, yet he later slams against American art for not being subtle and nuanced, conveniently forgetting the menagerie of Japanese cheesecake we just scrolled through. Its like, "dude, i think you spilled a little bias all over your page."

Some art translates better than others, in this particular case EU has the winner, but that isn't necessarily the rule, and it does often come down to personal taste.

That article wasn't meant to be taken too seriously, it's GamesRadar for crying out loud. But you do have to admit, when compared to other [http://www.pwned.com/gamecovers/playstation2/d0bd3fcb9f628e61987a0366e437c9ab-Ico.jpg] boxarts, us American's [http://www.gamershell.com/static/boxart/large/5166.jpg] tend to not know what the hell to do with boxart.

Regardless, it does come down to personal taste, and I much prefer the European boxart than the US's. Though I am getting used to it, slowly preferring it over the EU's one...

 

[MortalForNow]

Damn, I feel like we're getting short-sided over here. The EU box art looked more subtle and less dramatic than this. Then again, it's box art like this that makes up 95% of today's games here in the US.

 

[WhiteTigerShiro]

the EU boxart is way better

Yeah, agreed.

Although, this still isnt too bad, gives it a very art noir feel

Or it makes it look like a poorly-done movie poster. If it were a movie poster, it would likely have real people in the picture, so it would probably look fine and have said "art noir" feel to it. The problem though is that the characters are very blatantly computer generated. Trying to give a "human" feel to a cover using blatantly non-human characters really gives the box art an uncanny valley feel to it.

 

[lovest harding]

QuanticDream keeps handing the U.S. the poor version. Take a look at Indigo Prophecy. Awkward name. Didn't make sense until 3/4ths through the game. Not as clearly cinematic as the original title (Fahrenheit). I'm still wondering why the hell I should care about the Prophecy beyond that girl.
Honestly, Indigo is a wonderful game. The name doesn't do it justice (even though they had real reasons not to call it Fahrenheit in the U.S.).

The U.S. version is oddly decieving as to what the game might be.
I think the noir idea is still there, but the people do look more action-rific than it will (probably) play.
I'd like to see a more plausible action-tinge to Heavy Rain (Indigo Prophecy's fantasy action was just strange, the best parts of that game were the subtle, realistic moments) though.

I can't wait for this game either way.
It's the only main reason I plan to buy a PS3. ^^



And to respond to the comments about covers showing what the games do:
I just wanted to add that that's what the back cover is for.
The front cover is to catch attention. The back cover (with all the bullshit about how this game is prettier than any other game or runs 800 people online at once or whatever) is for really informing the player.

 

[Pimppeter2]

I like the UK boxart more, but heck I've been waiting for this game for so long that I don't give a rats ass.

 

[ffxfriek]

the EU boxart is way better

Seconded.

thirded

 

[Chesterfield Snapdragon McFisticuffs]

Damn, I feel like we're getting short-sided over here. The EU box art looked more subtle and less dramatic than this. Then again, it's box art like this that makes up 95% of today's games here in the US.

That brings the total count of Video Game shaftings in the US to 1(if you coun't that as a shafting), and Europe/PAL versions like Aussie/NZ to just about EVERY FUCKING THING ELSE.

 

[domicius]

"Heavy Rain is People! Can you hear me? It's peeeeooooooooopleeeeee!"

I figure that's the main difference.

 

[Kojiro ftt]

Story in short: someone from Sony USA looked at the European box art and said "not enough tits."

True that.

Wet girl in tank top and guidos with guns sells.

 

[Flowty]

I suppose they were afraid that American gamers would mistake this for some bizarre origami game for use with Sony's expected motion-detection controls. "omg wtf is this, 'Fold or Die'?"

Lol.

EU box art is way better. Also, I hate selective color picutres.

 

[Silva]

This is not really important news, either way. Box art has nothing to do with the content of the game - its only use is selling the game, and looking good in a cupboard/bookshelf.

With that said, it is really unsurprising that this has happened in America again. It's the same deal as with the names of novels (Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone, and The Golden Compass, anybody?); a change is made to make it more marketable and appeal to the lowest common denominator.

This shows some remarkably cynical thinking on the developer's part, like they think that the American audience is far stupider, and won't get the symbolic statement behind the crane, thus not purchasing the game.

Really, it's as though they don't realise that there's plenty of people that think that way everywhere else. Even if they don't all eat at McDonald's.

Once again, the box art we get in America is a marked downgrade compared to the version everyone else gets - just look at Heavy Rain.

Oh no!

You guys have it so bad. I feel for you.

As if this post wasn't funny (and true) enough, you have an Alistair avatar. This explains the exact tone of voice you would say the above line in. Bwahaha.

 

[Moriarty]

Yes, I believe we are all in consensus here, the EU box-art is much better (or if we're not all in consensus, I believe it's better).

God, America and our posters. Seriously, can nothing be subtle? Seriously, take a look at this article [http://www.gamesradar.com/f/why-japanese-box-art-is-better/a-20080729123833874037] and tell me that there isn't just something wrong with American box-art.

Though I am on your side about Heavy Rain's USA art fiasco, I'm going to have to disagree with the link you posted, mainly because the author seems to constantly contradict himself in his own article. One minute he is saying Japanese box art keeps its priorities straight by choosing to plaster a half-naked chick across the box of a wrestling game in favor of showing the wrestlers, yet he later slams against American art for not being subtle and nuanced, conveniently forgetting the menagerie of Japanese cheesecake we just scrolled through. Its like, "dude, i think you spilled a little bias all over your page."

Some art translates better than others, in this particular case EU has the winner, but that isn't necessarily the rule, and it does often come down to personal taste.

yeah, the article itself is biased, but the covers in direct comparison are kinda funny. i mean look at the kirby covers, in both of them kirby has to look mean for the american audience.
who on earth would look at kirby and think "that little pink guy would definitively sell better if he looked angry!"