Kotaku has an interesting news item on the ratings labels that are stamped on game box covers in Australia. There was a time when they were tiny black and white stickers in the corner of the box, which then became printed on the packaging itself as standard. When the new colour coded rating system came in just a while ago, they're now these huge monstrous logos that take over a healthy portion of the box.
Sure, it might not be an issue for many, but I'm certain there are those who value and appreciate box cover art, some of which can be quite elaborate with package embossings and incredible art.
I totaly agree. I remeber complaining about this (to noone in particular) when they first game out. What's wrong with the unobtrusive plack outline versions they used to use? Why these large, bright labels? They are indeed and eyesore and destroy any asthetics of the box art 0- and this goes for games, movies and everything else that uses them.
What I dont understand is the reason behind them. To make the rating more apparent? Who cares, if people want to know the rating they will check it, it dosnt need to screem "LOK OVER HERE!! I'M M RATED" evrytime you pick up the box. I can't see this helping inform people better - if anyone says they now understand the ratings better they are an idiot, they were always there to see and the actual content hasnt changed at all. They've just made them large, ugly and obtrusive. It's unnessessary and I dont like it.
I guess eventualy we'll have banners accross the top ala cigarette packages with large text:
WARNING: This game is M rated
As Denis Leary said about cigarettes
"...wants the whole front of the pack to be the warning. Like the problem is we just haven't noticed yet. Right? [snip] Doesn't matter how big the warnings are. You could have cigarettes that were called the warnings. You could have cigarrets that come in a black pack, with a skull and a cross bone on the front, called tumors and smokers would be lined up around the block..."
This has been edited to remove all the cuss words.
This has nothing to do with anything but I remember actually buying cigerettes years ago that were black... had a skull on the front and I think were actually called Death.... I still bought them..... Damn you Denis Leary!
I just think that the giant ratings are because it was something for parents to blame. "Oh I didnt know the game was meant for mature audiances... I thought it was just a game.... hmmm There was a label on the front... I cant see that make it bigger i say!"
They should have just kept them as stickers. I don't think people can seriously argue that ratings on games NEED to be tamper proof.
Mdobele i remember buying those cigaretters too, albeit in Europe not here. They were called "Black Death" and they instantly made me want to buy one, says alot about warnings then. They did taste shit however ;)