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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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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From The Chatty
  • reply
    December 13, 2012 7:30 AM

    Steve 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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      December 13, 2012 7:34 AM

      In the age of Steam where everyone champions digital, they still get in a fuss over box art.

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        December 13, 2012 7:36 AM

        Most console games are bought at retail stores, silly.

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        December 13, 2012 7:39 AM

        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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        December 13, 2012 8:02 AM

        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.

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          December 13, 2012 8:09 AM

          So what you're saying is, you didn't watch Ken's explanation of the cover and marketing.

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          December 13, 2012 10:26 AM

          I think you're wrong. I don't think the boring box art has anything to do with the quality of the game.

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        December 13, 2012 9:03 AM

        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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          December 13, 2012 11:16 AM

          there is no such thing as a take two marketing department

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            December 13, 2012 11:57 AM

            did you make lamp screens out of their skin ?

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              December 13, 2012 1:33 PM

              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.

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                December 13, 2012 3:07 PM

                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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        December 13, 2012 9:32 AM

        Consoles still sell way more games. I haven't bought a Steam game in years. I stopped buying PC games once I saw they all required Steam. Even the boxed copies.

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          December 13, 2012 3:23 PM

          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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            December 13, 2012 6:19 PM

            I'll buy $5 and $0.99 games but $60, $50, or even $30 is LOL.

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      December 13, 2012 8:09 AM

      Ugh - folks need to wake up and realize that they need to sell the game. Number 4 will not accomplish that. It may look nice and fit within their dorky world, but who the hell stares at box art after they've bought a game?

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        December 13, 2012 8:25 AM

        I know, #4 is so bad. I bet if there was a crayon drawing in the lineup then spiteful gamers (the bulk of these voters) would vote for that one.

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          December 13, 2012 8:37 AM

          Wait, 4 is bad? I like it. It's a classy piece of concept art.

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            December 13, 2012 8:43 AM

            I thought the last one was better. 4 just reminded me of hipster movie poster bullshit.

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              December 13, 2012 8:46 AM

              I agree with this sentiment the last one was the best

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          December 13, 2012 8:43 AM

          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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        December 13, 2012 8:57 AM

        You do realize this poll is for a goddamn ALTERNATIVE box art? The main one they decided to use will be reversible to the one that won this poll. All other ones will be available for download so that you can print them out and decide yourself, which cover you want to use.

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          December 13, 2012 8:58 AM

          Also WTF, #4 is fucking awesome. Yes, it wouldn't sell the game well but for an alternate cover I really like it.

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            December 13, 2012 8:59 AM

            It's too minimalist hip please buy my limited edition movie poster I made of this old movie.

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              December 13, 2012 3:24 PM

              [deleted]

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                December 13, 2012 3:32 PM

                Think 4 would work better if the logo blended with the rest of that style. Contrasts too much.

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          December 13, 2012 9:36 AM

          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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            December 13, 2012 9:37 AM

            Also, yes. Number 4 sucks. If I were manufacturing a game, I'd choose number 6.

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              December 13, 2012 9:47 AM

              Cheers, #6 is a fine choice, too.

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            December 13, 2012 9:45 AM

            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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              December 13, 2012 11:52 AM

              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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                December 13, 2012 11:54 AM

                Also, if I did put anything on display, chances are it wouldn't survive kids/dog. I like keeping old boxes around for nostalgic purposes for ones I did buy at the store back in the day, but they will stay hidden until I get forced into an old folks home.

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        December 13, 2012 8:58 AM

        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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          December 13, 2012 11:40 AM

          haha that US cover is so shit

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        December 13, 2012 3:55 PM

        I kind of agree. I like #4 on an aesthetic level but I think I don't think it's very good as a game cover.

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      December 13, 2012 8:23 AM

      It looks to me like they're rigging this - add a bunch of covers that aren't nearly as flashy and over-produced as the original. Because of this the 'fans' are choosing the worst one possible, just to make a point.

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      December 13, 2012 11:11 AM

      [deleted]

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      December 13, 2012 11:21 AM

      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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      December 13, 2012 11:31 AM

      #5 is great, but they'd NEVER do a real cover like that.

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      December 13, 2012 11:31 AM

      Honestly? This should be the alternate cover: http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/17c114d83fa1f9a0138312e125d82a78.jpg

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        December 13, 2012 2:10 PM

        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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          December 13, 2012 2:36 PM

          Elizabeth's expression is kinda weird. Otherwise, yeah, it would be decent.

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      December 13, 2012 1:11 PM

      sweet. glad they realized they could just do a reversible one.

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      December 13, 2012 1:30 PM

      I love this kind of lemonade

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      December 13, 2012 1:51 PM

      lol the first one with just Elizabeth is like a bad fan-made wallpaper.

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      December 13, 2012 2:03 PM

      reversible covers are cool! i wish more games had it.

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      December 13, 2012 3:44 PM

      With the possible exceptions of 4 and 6 those are TERRIBLE.

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      December 13, 2012 3:50 PM

      [deleted]

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      December 13, 2012 5:29 PM

      voted 3 because I am never going to look at the cover when I launch it from Steam.

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      December 13, 2012 6:03 PM

      I don't see anything wrong with the original, sounds like raging over minute details

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        December 14, 2012 8:51 AM

        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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      December 13, 2012 6:40 PM

      This is marketing not news.

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