Issue #3: GETTIN' GRAPHIC

This third entry in the Atlus Production Diaries touches on the more unique considerations involved in the process of designing a game cover. You may learn a thing or two (or at the very least, appreciate game covers a little bit more in the future).

READ ISSUE #3: "GETTIN' GRAPHIC"

[Flußkönig]

Okay a quick question for you Atlus mods. Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2, and Devil Summoner all had NA boxart that was the same or fairly close to the Japanese boxart.

Why did Atlus USA feel the need to make the boxart for P3 (both outside cover and actual boxart,) and FES so vastly different compared to the NA and JP boxarts of past SMT branded titles.

[Chronis]

Good article! I'm really liking these Production Diaries. Keep them coming! I definitely agreed about TC: New Blood. While the red cross was overly plain, the character art doesn't really seem to have anm attracting feature. If anything, they're really weird considering everyone's skin color changes several shades halfway through their face. I think something that would have gave the cover a little extra something would have been to add surgical tools to either the fore or background. It would have explained a bit more about what the game is about if you have say a scapel and suture kit on the cover.

So, since we're talking about covers, I'm curious about one in particular. Why the choice to go with character art for the Metal Saga cover versus the cool tank sunset? Considering how much America like war games, I'm sure MS would have sold much better if it could appeal to those judge a-game-by-it's-cover folk just with the tank.

[Sarukah]

Originally Posted by Flußkönig

Okay a quick question for you Atlus mods. Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2, and Devil Summoner all had NA boxart that was the same or fairly close to the Japanese boxart.

Why did Atlus USA feel the need to make the boxart for P3 (both outside cover and actual boxart,) and FES so vastly different compared to the NA and JP boxarts of past SMT branded titles.

I would also really like to know this as I really dont like the English cover for FES

[Master Zombots]

Yes, this is another great issue. It is always interesting to learn about things that go on behind the scenes, and the placement of the title was a particularly interesting topic. I never really thought about that until now. And LOL at the monkey.

[Isun]

Thanks for the article. I always like to read up on the whole creative process behind a game, and that includes graphic design for the box cover. Alas, like some of the people who posted before me, I must express the huge disappointment I felt when I laid my eyes on the cover of the U.S. edition of Persona 3 FES. With all due respect to the people involved in its design and execution, I would've preferred to have the Japanese version (the one with all the kids looking up).

[dragonlife29]

Originally Posted by Flußkönig

Okay a quick question for you Atlus mods. Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2, and Devil Summoner all had NA boxart that was the same or fairly close to the Japanese boxart.

Why did Atlus USA feel the need to make the boxart for P3 (both outside cover and actual boxart,) and FES so vastly different compared to the NA and JP boxarts of past SMT branded titles.

I think they were in the right to do so.

P3 and FES's covers had such a pleasing, simple aesthetic in my eyes. I really liked P3's, and that FES kept it similar. I agree in a sense, though--at least when comparing the Japanese and US version of FES's cover art. The Japanese version was pretty sweet, but like I said, I still really like our version (And really, the only ones who are "disappointed" are the ones who've seen the Japanese's cover, and so on).

Anyway, another great entry in the Diary. I think you guys did a good job on keeping "Under the Knife" and just adding the "2." The cover for the game is also really appealing with the blue motif. I'm sure that just like Nocturne (Back in the day), it'll stick out to some.

[MoogleGunner]

Psh. They should have gone the Devil Summoner route with the title for UtK2. Who wouldn't want to play Trauma Center: Under the Knife: Derek Stiles vs Bioterrorism in the Future it would have been great.

[Kitsunexus]

This was awesome, but I'm curious to see if we will get an APD involving recording voice actiing?

[Saburo Hikari]

Originally Posted by dragonlife29

P3 and FES's covers had such a pleasing, simple aesthetic in my eyes. I really liked P3's, and that FES kept it similar. I agree in a sense, though--at least when comparing the Japanese and US version of FES's cover art. The Japanese version was pretty sweet, but like I said, I still really like our version (And really, the only ones who are "disappointed" are the ones who've seen the Japanese's cover, and so on).

I don't like the cover art for the original US P3 for some reason, but I still like the US's original P3 slipcase and the P3 FES cover. At least we got both of P3 FES's cover art on each side of the book. (b^^)b

[aduhot1]

Bumping....

[DamageCity]

Originally Posted by aduhot1

Bumping....

Why??????

[atboob]

Originally Posted by Saburo Hikari

I don't like the cover art for the original US P3 for some reason, but I still like the US's original P3 slipcase and the P3 FES cover. At least we got both of P3 FES's cover art on each side of the book. (b^^)b

If you look at the back of the US P3 game case (the PS2 DVD case) you actually get the original J-version cover art. In fact, you get to see more of it than was shown on the original Japanese publication.

[Overlord Laharl]

i don't like.

[Shin-Chikuzo]

good article I prefer the arts of the Japanese covers some times are better that US versions XD

[Elquiorra]

AtLUS always make good games, and the composer Shoji Meguro always compose cool soundtracks ~

[Catolf]

Originally Posted by Overlord Laharl

i don't like.

Why not? The covers were alright.. i don't think i saw what the cover for FES in jpn looked like though..XP