Capcom: The Great Okami Watermark Fiasco

[Rayza]

http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/2008/04/capcom-great-okami-watermark-fiasco.html

Usually when a watermark crops up in an image it's because someone wouldn't pay for the material. In Capcom's case, they had the rights to the artwork.

[Aninymouse]

So that's what /v/ was going crazy over a fortnight ago...

[Jam Stunna]

I don't see how this rises to the level of a "fiasco", but it is pretty damn stupid.

[djpretzel]

There's two things that are stupid here.

One is Capcom's gaf.

The other is the continued practice of sites like IGN and mobygames of watermarking other people's cover art, screenshots, etc. in the first place. It implies some sort of ownership where there really isn't any, seems like it would fail any "fair use" test miserably since the only modification is branding, and furthermore suggests that these sites are doing soooo much work on these images that they couldn't afford people using the images elsewhere without benefiting from free advertising in the process.

I'm anti-watermark, and it seems like specifically the large gaming sites are just so darn fond of them, something like this was bound to happen. No excuses for Capcom, but imo the more problematic thing is the underlying reason why this happened in the first place.

[Liontamer]

Ouch. Too bad, Cap. Not really as big a deal as it's been made out to be by some; after all, they did own the artwork that was used anyway. But I definitely had to laugh once I saw that watermark though. Being a detail-oriented person, I can only wonder how that got into the final product.

[Shadow Wolf]

Nah, that's a big deal. I don't want IGN logos on my case art. (They haven't been boxes since the last N64 game.) My only consolation is that it looks like the wolf is trying to eat it.

[Dhsu]

Being an OCD person, I can only wonder how that got into the final product.

I have fixed your sentence, sir.

[Poke'G]

I've got to agree with Jam Stunna. This really has nothing to do with Capcom's game making ability, just someone insignificant who will probably now be at the worst canned. Capcom's guys continue making games unchanged, and the next box art designer is more cautious at his job.

A 'fiasco' would be an event that hindered Capcom much more than that.

[Ninja-san]

This makes me want to buy the Wii version now.

[djpretzel]

Gentlemen, we need to work diligently to ensure that future generations of box art designers make similar mistakes with the OC ReMix logo.

That is all.

[Neo Samus]

A new ad campagin! Advertisement by cover art.

[Zombie]

Saw this in the Wii thread yesterday.

I lol'ed.

[Shadow Wolf]

You all do realize that the IGN version of this box art will be fixed within days and this version of the game will be a collector's item though, don't you? Not that it'll ever be like, worth a ton, but still.

[Magewout]

Too bad it won't be on the Euro box (I'd assume).

[I-n-j-i-n]

Could've been a joke or something. That is way too blatant..

[The Coop]

If anyone has the Wii version, and wants that logo gone from their cover art, I can edit it out. Just supply a nice 300dpi scan (with descreening on the scans), and I'll do it. The screenshot will take longer (assuming that's on the back), but the front cover wouldn't take long at all.

Of course, that's going with the notion that this isn't some goofy hoax just for the lol of it by someone.

[Kholdstare]

interesting - i never noticed that but it's blatantly there now that i look on my copy.

now i can't un-see it. >_<

[SwordBreaker]

http://www.capcom.com/artredemption/

Here you go, people. Glad that Capcom rectified the situation. You can choose an alternative boxart if you'd like, too. Shipped to you for free, of course.

[CC Ricers]

Who would say these first-issue Okami games will be re-sold at a higher price? Now that would be funny to see.

[Kholdstare]

This made my morning - granted this is the first thing i saw besides my lab report that is due in 2 hours but whatev.

;;

[Zombie]

Got my watermarked copy today - it is alot easier to see on the actual box than from the pictures.

I like those alternate box art covers... which one to go with though? They are both really cool.

[Shadow Wolf]

"To better reflect the artistic nature of the game, we're proud to offer you new art for the outside of the box."

I lold.

Seriously though, the new alt box art is pretty hawt.

[SwordBreaker]

"To better reflect the artistic nature of the game, we're proud to offer you new art for the outside of the box."

I lold.

Seriously though, the new alt box art is pretty hawt.

lol, indeed. Gotta love those PR spins. Those who don't notice that IGN mark are living under a rock.

Anyway, I ordered the boxart on the far left. That one looks sweet!

[Steben]

I ordered the middle artwork. Thing is, I didn't even purchase the game. (Yet, anyway.)

[FR]

Hey Coop, Wanna make me a new cover for my PS2 version of Okami?