Fresh is a column dedicated to providing new interpretations on various subjects. In this issue, we look at game box covers. Here, you will find new looks applied to familiar and fictitious titles. This done to see where opportunities lie in carving out a new look for games. The purpose being to help add to other communications (media, pr, education, new alternative distribution channels, etc) that something new is happening with games that diverges from the current mass consumer mind set. The goal here is not to criticize publishers’ efforts but instead to provide a framework with which to base new ideas from.

 

The Settlers of Catan Here, a reinterpritation of the classic game's cover offers a strong presence. From the simple composition, to the strong passionate colors, the feel delivers more appeal than its cream colored parent. Large imagery helps to draw the viewer into the composition.

Goa Here, in this rendition for Goa, we have both a medieval flatness to the art and a crisper lineart drawing indicative of some contemporary digital art. The centered composition which is focused around crop production and transport is alive with "spicy" colors. The quilt design incorporates motifs from traditional Indian patterns.

 

Pinata Stephen Glenn, designer of balloon cup, approached me with an idea he had. It seems his original prototype for Balloon Cup was totally different than released - a very common experience for designers. This name of the prototype was pinata. His proposal: would I examine what this box cover could look like. Intriguing. Such a colorful, festive theme from a passionate culture. Not to mention the precursor to a published game with such respect. Sounded great to me!! The following design takes advantage of the colorful custom, filled with motion and vibrancy. The pinata is singing with activity. Streamers going this way and that. Blurry forms marking movement. Add to this a strong diagonal composition and a close crop of the pinata and we have a colorful, celebratory image. Finally "pinata" painted in a latin typestyle finishes the thought.

 

Puerto Rico Here, the game’s mechanic of “roles” has been visually distilled to a portrait of a 16th century aristocrat. Floating above a plantation, the figure’s eyes thoughtfully gaze back at the viewer. The game’s name is painted on the canvas period style, while a supergraphic logo adds to the emotive quality of the package. While this treatment does not go much further than many other titles in terms of a simpler, more contemporary look, it does have a comfortable appeal that would sit well on any coffee table.

 

Samurai Decorative, dramatically lit Japanese rocks are arranged to form the island nation. The quiet, austerity of the design is filled with tension which is punctuated with a small drop of blood. All this is powerfully enhanced through the use of black – black from the beautiful bits of the game as well as the traditional Japanese lacquered arts. Typeset in a simple sans serif font and arranged in an Asian format, all elements remain dramatic and understated – a hallmark of Japanese design. Such style works well on coffee tables or as a decorative piece on the mantel where a striking image with minimal branding and product name have the look of a well designed photograph or art piece.

 

Galactic Dynasty A dramatic cover for a fictitious epic space game uses a close up of a pupil as a metaphor for conquest and manifest destiny. When combined with a space name the eye appears as a supernova explosion silhouetting a planet. The combination of these ideas suggest the idea of reaching out to planets as far as one can see. Whatever the meaning, the eye’s simple form and complex detailing are effective in drawing the viewer in and capturing attention. The radial burst format is something used by empires from ages to indicate expansion – the Japanese flag from WWII being a good example of this effect. The letterforms – printed in blue to pop off the cover – are from a typeface that was developed from ancient carvings on great Roman/Greek buildings. This choice balances the modernity of the rest of the cover and speaks of the timelessness of empires. A final bitmapped icon of a spaceship tops the design off.

 

Tigris & Euphrates A powerful image of a Sumerian King sets the tone for the leader-based game. In no uncertain terms, the simple starkness of the king’s image expresses the power and allure that this game has to many. Add to this the inclusion of the depiction of Sumer – the cradle of civilization within the Tigris and Euphrates area – and we have an appropriate voice for this historically influenced game. The simple image of an ancient king becomes an icon for this richly thematic game in which complex ideas and expressions have been very tightly compressed into simple expressions. The colors are fun, gamey and are part of the game's colors.

 

World Conflict For a fictitious, simple Euro style WWII game come a simple look. Camouflage is in. From shirts, caps and underwear to iPod sleeves and items of all sorts, this utilitarian military pattern is now part of fashion culture. Here, the stylish pattern is the cover with hot, hot fluorescent orange stencil type which pops off the box. Gone are images of military conflict, bombs bursting, tanks rolling and parachutes dropping. In their place, is that fun and playful military icon. In this way, the pop culture look comes full circle from military to fashion to fun military – an appropriate expression of this entertainment-based product.