INSERT COIN>>
START BUTTON>>

I have always been a huge fan of video game cover artwork . Ever since I was a little dude playing on my Atari , I marvelled at the crazy cool artwork that would adorn game boxes and cartridges .

Strangely enough the reason I wanted to do this posting was to show you some great examples of old video game cover artwork. However then a strange thing happened, I realized that the artwork of the past was no way as good as I had remembered it ROFL!

Don’t get me wrong it’s not terrible artwork, but compared to the lofty heights of the pedestal I had placed them on, they are not thaaaaat amazing!

Maybe it comes from being around design everyday…and not just any design, but the best the industry has to offer, which is delivered with the latest and greatest techniques….well, it just pales in comparison.

It is interesting to think about the technological factors that have contributed to the evolution of game cover art. Advanced programs like Adobe’s Illustrator and Photoshop have reinvented what is possible and digital painting techniques on drawing tablets has taken the art to new levels that were almost impossible to replicate with traditional means.

Also take into consideration that video games in the old days were nowhere as popular as they are today, there was less money in it and of course the more ‘powerful’ artists had ‘bigger fish to fry’ on mainstream commissions .

However these days the video game industry is one of the most powerful entertainment avenues around and there is huge kudos that go along with being involved with video game art.

The internet and mass distribution of games are both aspects of this industry that make it a very VERY good idea for artists to get involved with video game artwork , whether they be for covers, booklets, posters, or even concept sketches!

I have met a few designers over the years who are more interested in creating video game artwork than getting involved in the commercial side of design (or has it now become commercial itself). This probably stems from being able to fuse a passion with a skill ….heck, if I had the mad skills that some of these gaming cover artists do, I would also do nothing but video game cover art and game concept design .

What do you think has been the biggest factors that have changed video game cover artwork since the 80’s . Do you see any possible trends forming in the next 5-10 years in regards to this artwork?

Also, if you have any cool video game cover art to share with us, please post it up ;)

1UP

D.