Let us pick the packshot?

[Rapture_Tourist]

I think it was EA as a publisher, who already let the community decide which packshot for a game should be chosen.

It would be nice if our voice would be heard for Bioshock, too. The fans are the best feedback for a publisher and we can say which packshot looks most attractive.

2K and Irrational could show us 4 packshot ideas for example and we elect the best one in a poll.

[Necros]

Good idea! But this should be viewed only as a suggestion IMHO. They are the professionals after all. :D

[jackinthebox]

that's a nice idea... i'm glad EA isn't the publisher though :P because in 2008 there would be "BioShock 2042" and in 2009 something like "BioShock 2142"...

[Timmy_Magic]

Aw, I was looking forward to 'BioShock: Pets' :D

[Bartekk]

I don't know, is a cover really that important? It should just be appropriate, I think guys over either IG or 2K will know what to choose.

[Da Bubs]

that's a nice idea... i'm glad EA isn't the publisher though :P because in 2008 there would be "BioShock 2042" and in 2009 something like "BioShock 2142"...

And of course they would be Bioshock: Generals that has nothing to do with bioshock

[Necros]

I don't know, is a cover really that important? It should just be appropriate, I think guys over either IG or 2K will know what to choose.
It is important. That's the first thing an unknowing consumer sees in the shop. So, it has to grab the attention of the posible buyer. And we, possible buyers can help them with this task. :D Combining their and our views might be a good thing. :)

[Gabby_Hayes]

I know it sounds like a hand off but the smallest amount of risk for their investment might be the community deciding the cover for that at least.

By then the customer has it in their hands AND we would have been able to collectively narrow down a design decision. :p

[Flash Johnson]

I like that idea alot. It would make us feel extra special while not making a big impact if our collective taste is horrid :D

[Bartekk]

It is important. That's the first thing an unknowing consumer sees in the shop. So, it has to grab the attention of the posible buyer. And we, possible buyers can help them with this task. :D Combining their and our views might be a good thing. :)

Well, I wrote that from the perespective of knowing consumer who will buy that game no matter what so... :)

[redrain85]

This would definitely be a great contest idea. Maybe the winning voters get a special discount on their pre-orders, or something. Just tossing ideas out there, whether they're considered good ones or not. :D

The cover art can definitely make or break an impulse buy. Something really striking on the front cover will attract attention. Right now, the mock-up cover 2K is using just has the Bioshock logo on it and nothing else. I don't think that would attract many eyes, unfortunately. So I hope they have some good designs in store for us.

[purplerose1414]

Ah, but see I love the title pic. Where so many covers either use unrealistically attractive woman, overly butch action heroes ect to sell a game, something as simple as just the title pic would make me pick up the box to look at the back immediatly. I think it's a great example of how less can sometimes be more. I know Im in the minority though.

I do think voting for the cover would be a great idea though.

Either way, I'm sure a looming Big Daddy will feature prominatly ;)

[Rapture_Tourist]

One reason against letting us "decide" is that we are fans...fans will buy the game anyway, even with a bad packshot ;). And we see through the eye of a fan. Lets say we wanna see the Big Daddy at the cover. How would someone react on that, not knowing what he is?

A packshot has to make interest for a game, even for someone who has never heard of it.

BUT (!) if IG/2K made their internal decisions first and e.g. 3 packshots are in the final round, those ones are then good anyway. We just pick the best one.