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Uncharted 2 sells well in Japan despite unsightly handicap
After Uncharted the First hit Japan with the force of a thousand baby chicken feathers, we didn't think the game's sequel would have much of an impact in the region. It seems we were mistaken -- according to a gaming retailer blog called Sinobi, Uncharted 2 sold 47,000 units in its first day at retail in Japan. Sure, it's not the biggest launch ever, but it's a huge improvement over the original Uncharted's first-day sales of 7,300 units. Of course, the original Uncharted didn't have the massive install base and Sony marketing support that Naughty Dog's latest endeavor has -- nor did it possess the simply stunning box art seen above. Seriously, Japanese Uncharted 2 box art, we're gonna need that breath back. You know, that breath that you took away. [Via Andriasang; image credit]
Sony's Kobayashi: better ICO box art could have boosted sales
At DICE Summit Asia, Sony Japan Studio VP Yasuhide Kobayashi gave a speech about appealing to a global audience with games, which he identified as increasingly important as the Japanese market contracts. He mentioned The Last Guardian, which was given that particular title to appeal to Western markets. As an example of Western-focused marketing that didn't work, Kobayashi presented the Japanese and North American boxes for ICO, the game that brought the Last Guardian developers to prominence. "If the packaging was designed differently, we think it would have sold more," he said. "In fact on the internet many people have said that the Japanese version was better." Because it is.Kobayashi then finished by highlighting what he saw as a different perception of what makes a "new" game in the West and Japan. He said that a "new" game in the US or Europe could be "something similar to something that's come before, because they think it is easier for people to understand.""But actually we don't like this - it's like you're simulating, following suit, combining two titles into one," he continued. "It seems the definition of a new title is different in the US and Europe to Japan. It means a new genre, that's what we call a new game."Japan has just as many iterative sequels as anywhere else, but we guess they aren't considered as new?
Amazon.co.uk unveils EyePet box, bursting with cuteness
Our love for EyePet should be clear. Why? Not only does it take advantage of the Eye in unique and innovative ways, it is absolutely adorable. It looks like London Studios, responsible for SingStar, has another casual hit on its hands. European retailer amazon.co.uk has posted what looks like the official box art for EyePet, and it looks oh-so-inviting. The titular mascot has its paws pressed against the box, beckoning for you to play with it.Kotaku also points out that the box for this upcoming PS3 game looks rather different from other PS3 titles. Notice the lack of the PS3 banner on the left-hand side? The PlayStation Network is prominently featured, but were it not for the PS3 logo stitch atop the clear plastic, you'd be hard-pressed into noticing it was even for the PS3. Is this a subtle marketing change on SCEE's part, or is it something the online retailer is doing for what could be placeholder art?
Pitchford on Borderlands cover: The game 'will blow your mind'
Gearbox Software prez Randy Pitchford says upcoming post-apocalyptic shooter Borderlands will "blow your mind." After issuing the game's daring cover this past week, the development studio head talked to IGN about it and claimed, "The motive is about the goals of a box cover – you want to evoke something, get attention and have something honest to say about the promise of the game." Though he admits some were worried at Gearbox as well as at publisher 2K Games, he believes it was the right decision to choose that cover in the end. "Judging from the response so far, it looks like it was the right call." We absolutely agree, Mr. Pitchford. Will gamers pick it up at the store this October next to Brütal Legend and other AAA titles? That remains to be seen -- but all these games that have been pushed back to 2010 couldn't hurt, right?%Gallery-69817%
Borderlands box art splatters imagery
Click to head asplode size Gearbox certainly is taking a risque approach to its Borderlands box art -- and we approve. The cover features the game's revamped art style and imagery we're certain will be nice and awkward in a Walmart. For that, we salute the bold move. Borderlands releases October 20 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. What do y'all think about the box?
Gran Turismo PSP box art revealed
The PlayStation Europe blog has revealed that an image floating around the Internet earlier today is the official box art of Gran Turismo PSP. The art is reminiscent of other Gran Turismo titles, showcasing a beautiful vehicle -- in this case the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 -- on a classy, dark backdrop. Yes, boxes (click for a bigger shot of the art) aren't breaking news, but we help to reveal art as a service to our readers. What kind of service? Knowing what a game looks like means you are less likely to have to interact with a grumpy video game store employee. Unless, of course, you are an grumpy awesome video game store employee, in which case we think you're just swell. Gran Turismo PSP is scheduled to hit stores on October 1 on UMD and the PSN. %Gallery-64985% [Via VG247]
CrimeCraft's box art unveiled
The box art for the gang warfare MMO CrimeCraft has been revealed, showing an interesting blend of the game's art style and in-game screenshots on the front of the box. The top of the box is dominated by this image, while the bottom blends in a screenshot of the game's gang based action.What we have above is just a small sampling of the game's front cover, but if you're intrigued by the thought of seeing the full version then go on ahead and jump over to the picture at MMORPG.com.CrimeCraft's action packed gameplay will be unleashed on the masses next month on August 25th, but you can certainly pre-order the game over at Best Buy or apply for the closed beta to keep your destructive tendencies in check until then.
Modern Warfare 2 box art includes 'Call of Duty'
Though we all believed that Modern Warfare 2 had completely dropped the "Call of Duty" moniker, that's not exactly the case, judging by some new box art just posted by Infinity Ward spokesman Robert Bowling on his Twitter account.We're not sure if this is a new official name for the game, but we'll do our best to find out. In the meanwhile, check out the full box art after the break.
Dead Space Extraction box art is terrified and screaming
The guys at Visceral Games have revealed the box art for the upcoming Wiixclusive Dead Space prequel, Dead Space Extraction. This time, there's no sign of Isaac or his iconic space suit. Instead, it consists of a terrified and screaming woman protecting a man from evil space beasties -- an ultimately futile battle if the events of the first game are anything to go by. We're all for equal opportunities in the space monster-battling workplace, but this terrified and screaming woman is using Isaac's plasma cutter -- is she a space-engineer too? We suppose anything will do when you're terrified and screaming for your life. Try not to look at the artwork too long, you might get the image of that poor woman's face stuck in your head, like we have ...
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 box art revealed, Only For PlayStation
Click to see the PS3 box in high resolution. My, my how things have changed. The former Xbox 360-exclusive Ninja Gaiden 2 is now the PS3-exclusive Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Is this the first game that's been able to wear the "Only On" stickers for both the PS3 and 360? Perhaps. While Sigma 2 may be an enhanced port of the original Ninja Gaiden 2, it features a number of new features that are, as the box says, "only on PlayStation."Most exciting of the new features are the new playable characters: Ninja Gaiden's Rachel, Dead or Alive's Ayane, and Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword's Momiji. The PS3 version will also feature a new online co-op mode not found in the original that lets you and a friend take on ten different stages. Finally, the game is touting "variable AI," which allows "the gameplay [to differ] each time you appear in a level as enemies engage in a variety of different actions as they assess the situation." Whatever that means.%Gallery-66915%
Microsoft rolls out Windows 7 packaging
We could swear we've seen this before, but nonetheless, Microsoft's Windows blog has unveiled what it's calling the official Windows 7's packaging -- as in, this it what we'll be seeing in stores when it launches this fall. It's apparently 37 percent lighter and has a 50 percent better econometrics score over the Vista box, which we can't help but draw mental parallels to the platform's overall performance and mindshare improvements. See it for yourself in the gallery below -- couldn't hurt to get a peek now at what you'll be picking up come October 22nd.
Metroid Prime Trilogy packaging cooler than a Chozo suit
Click image to morph into gallery We just got sent the box art for the upcoming Metroid Prime Trilogy and, wow, it's really nice. Featuring a badass Samus-adorned metal case, the box art is about as cool and futuristic as the retooled Metroid Prime content located on its disc. In addition to the metal case, the Wii Trilogy will also include a "special Metroid Prime Trilogy artbook." Looks like Nintendo's managed to weasel out another $50 out of us, huh? We'd go on more about it, but then that would keep you from going into our gallery below and checking out the various shots for yourself.%Gallery-66717%
NBA 2K10 selects Kobe, NBA Live 10 settles for Howard
Dwight Howard probably wasn't much consoled by his image on the recently revealed NBA Live 10 box cover after losing the NBA Finals to the Lakers on Sunday, but the honor must have meant a little something (if not just more pocket change) to the Magic's superman -- until now. Kobe Bryant, winner and MVP of the NBA Finals, has been selected as the boastful NBA 2K10 cover athlete, cementing another dominant victory over Howard. 2K Sports' b-ball franchise has long been superior to EA Sports' annual effort, after all. We're thinking Howard should demand a trade. Source - 2K Sports Congratulates Four-Time NBA Champion Kobe BryantSource - Dwight Howard Named Cover Athlete of EA Sports NBA Live 10
Champions Online box art revealed
Cryptic Studios has revealed the finalized Champions Online box art, which you can expect to have it sitting in your pretty hands come September. We've always been fans of having actual art on our game boxes over anything else. If you want to take a look at the full high-res version, you can find it on the official game website.There's a definite sense of intensity and overall the art does a good job at capturing that climatic battle between good and evil. Plus, it has a giant robot in it, which is always an instant bonus in our books. Now the only question that remains is what the special edition box will look like -- of it there'll even be one in the first place.
Jumpgate Evolution Special Edition box art revealed
We don't know about you, but some of us on the Massively staff are really looking forward to the new breed of sci-fi MMOs on the horizon, some of which have release dates just around the corner. Jumpgate Evolution, in development at NetDevil, is a prominent example and will offer gamers a different take on space-faring MMOs than what's presently available with EVE Online -- dynamic joystick-style flight control, that twitch-style play that some gamers have been waiting for. We don't have a firm release date for Jumpgate Evolution just yet, we know it's in June, but the first image of the game's Special Edition box art has surfaced on the site of a UK retailer, GAME. It lists the following contents:
NeoGAF cranking out gorgeous 'Criterion Collection' box art
Something magical is happening over on the NeoGAF forums. For the past week, ultra-skilled Photoshoppers have been crafting replacement box art for some of their favorite titles as part of "The GAF Collection," a nod to the similarly stylish "Criterion Collection" film catalog. They're beautiful, precious works of art which we'll soon be proudly sliding into the plastic sleeves of our comparatively hideous game cases. Do your brain's aesthetic receptors a favor, and go check them out.
Evolution of Left 4 Dead's box art
Valve artist Jeremy Bennett reveals on Left 4 Dead's official site how the puntacular box cover we've come to know and love fear came to be. Bennett explains that the earliest box art attempts focused on the characters, but that led to issues with positioning because none of them was supposed to be the "central character." Making any of them the prominent figure would have been misleading; however, spacing issues were presented when the artists tried to include the characters equally.The piece goes over the five covers up for consideration before the left-handed zombie hand was finally agreed upon. It's an interesting look behind the curtain of box art design and we even learn about Valve's market testing at its local GameStop.
inFamous launching worldwide in June, demo on the way [update]
You're currently looking at the box art for Sucker Punch's upcoming PS3 exclusive, inFamous. The cover, along with the release date (well -- month, at least), was revealed on the PlayStation Blog today. You'll be stepping into the electrified shoes of Cole McGrath at some point in June. We're not sure inFamous will be as successful as last June's major PS3 exclusive, but players will be able to try this one out before they buy, as a demo has already been confirmed. The game's soundtrack has also been detailed on Music 4 Games. Update: The source link for the soundtrack information has been removed, but the article alleged that the game music would be a collaborative effort between Amon Tobin, Jim Dooley, Mel Wesson, Martin Tilman who, between them, have worked on Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Pushing Daisies, Pirates of the Caribbean and Black Hawk Down. The now-removed source added that in order to produce a more urban, gritty sound, the composers will be creating music from "real-life objects and materials found in urban environments." In response to these alleged details, Sony states, "We have not made any official announcements regarding the music in inFamous." (That's right Sony! Stuff the cat right back in that bag.) We'll let you know when the truly infamous soundtrack is ready for your ears -- and eyes.
Guitar Hero: Metallica box art 'mispellz' Lynyrd Skynyrd
Take a look at this close-up of the recently released Guitar Hero: Metallica box art. Note the highlighted name "Lynyrd Skynrd," located in the top left. The band's name is clearly misspelled. The correct spelling is "Lynyrd Skynyrd" -- duh.Some conspiracists might insist that the error is intentional, enforced by Metallica (take note: "Metallica" is spelled correctly), which secretly despises Skynyrd's musical success and demanded humiliation in the form of a misspelling. Seriously? No, that can't be it. Chalk up this mistake to poor proofing. (On a side note: we're petitioning to have "Lynyrd Skynyrd" introduced into the Scripps National Spelling Bee -- it's a tough one!)[Via playgirlz]
Star Trek: TOS and Trilogy gets US box art, release date
We already saw these delightful pieces of Blu-ray magic unveiled in Norway, but TheDigitalBits has confirmed that Star Trek: The Original Series - Season One, Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection and Star Trek: Motion Picture Trilogy will all ship here in America, with the former shipping on April 28th and the latter two on May 12th. The details about each collection are far too lengthy to cover in this space, but you can head down to the read link if you're even remotely interested in dropping $118, $104.99 or $29.99 (in order of mention).[Via The Blu-ray Blog]
