Why is the American box art so dull and uninspired?

[Fluttersnipe]

Wow, the JP version really is leagues better than the EU/NA ones .

That's a relatively minor complaint, but it is much purtier.

[Milmoko_Gemoko]

ok the JP box art is better then the EU Collectors Edition that I have - if SE would care to upload a PDF of the JP version I'll print it myself

[Kyata]

The US cover needs more Gaius eating steak while driving a monster truck with explosions in the background.
The steak has to be cooked rare.
And maybe toss in some pirates for good measure.

But yeah, I'm with the JP box art fan group, tbh.

Also,

ok the JP box art is better then the EU Collectors Edition that I have - if SE would care to upload a PDF of the JP version I'll print it myself

Found these:
Realm_Reborn_Job_Art.jpg
FFXIV_JP_Cover.jpg

[Ri_ri]

I like the japanese one because it looks cute.

But nothing beats the "logo on a white background" classic.

[Volsung]

it's for the same reason Anime intros are redone for the NA public.

The people who commercialise over here, think they know what our
public wants or would find most appealing. And in most cases,
completely miss the mark.

[Royze]

Because the rest of the world has seen fox news and knows its the most watched "news" channel in 'Murica.

[Jermz]

Looks to me as 2 of the 3 box arts seem to encompass the idea of an online multiplayer games, while the american one seems to scream "SINGLE PLAYER ONLINE GAME WOOOO" very Skyrim ish. Perhaps to compete with Elder Scrolls in Spring??

[Edellis]

It's called localization

While all of us here would probably prefer the JP box art with Yoshida's art all over it, that's not really the best way to appeal to the Western demo.

it's for the same reason Anime intros are redone for the NA public.

The people who commercialise over here, think they know what our
public wants or would find most appealing. And in most cases,
completely miss the mark.

There are plenty of reasons why they do this. In most cases, things like Anime intros are redone for television network purposes but generally are for drawing in viewers. Authentic JP crap is usually loved by people who love JP stuff, and just alienating to anyone who doesn't. Not productive for drawing in new people.

There's really nothing more beneficial for overseas translations than a good localization team. It can make all the difference in the world. Especially when they can alter content and not piss off the other side.

[Sedant]

Its a box...

[Zantetsuken]

Extra credits did an episode on 'Hard-boiled games'
It explores a fundamental misunderstanding that NA game developers/marketing people have about what makes a game/story seem 'mature'.

In short, the game industry in the US is highly reactionary when it comes to their public image. They are desperate to convince players and media alike that games are : A) Serious/Mature and not toys, and B) Just as legitimate a media outlet as Hollywood movies or television.

Sadly, they miss the mark by a long-shot. This drive to create increasingly 'hard-boiled' games has created a dark, nihilistic culture which allows little room for life, humanity, or even enjoyment in their medium - Ironically, this approach promotes an overall negative image of games in the general non-gaming public and thus further erodes any broad acceptance as a legitimate art form.


Not just that, but most US marketing people feel the need to spoon-feed every last thing to their market in order to appeal to the lowest common denominator and reach the widest audience. They have lost the art of subtlety, mystery, and restraint.

Compare the JP to US FF covers throughout the series. Most of the Japanese FF games are clean, white, and Logo-only -- while US games are covered in images to communicate to low-information/incurious viewers what the game is all about.

eg: