Games "Special Edition Box Sets"

For this part of my research, I am focusing on game special edition packaging designs and the unique products that come with them.

Bio Shock Infinite By Irrational Games
I love this game, it's both imaginative and a joy to explore it's floating city setting. The package design is a well rounded package that's an extension to the deep storyline. The packages colours are bright and loud just like the game world and the art work has a distinct vintage vibe which yet again is a nod towards it's 1912 time period. I like the idea of all the little products that come with it such as the key ring, statue and concept art. I fuels me with ideas and the scope of what a special edition game package could behold.

The Elder Scrolls

This game is one that I haven't played because I don't have the time to explore this vast world. I can tell that it's a game inspired by fantasy, one where elves and dwarfs inhabit. 

Looking at the box set, it has an ancient look to it, the map has a weathered brown stain look to it which shows the player the vastness of the game which you are about to explore. Yet again the box set comes with an art book with cool character art and concepts. All this is wrapped up in a box which has an old bonded book look to it which reminds me of an old copy of Lord of the Rings. 

I like how they have used old texture effects on the box. It's like the creators are setting you up for an adventure which is true.

Uncharted 3 Drakes Deception Developed by Naughty dog

One of personal favourites of past years is this amazing game by "Naughty dog" Its a game of adventure that's story driven like a Hollywood Blockbuster full of amazing set pieces that get the adrenaline going.

The box set a contains a steel book case which houses the game disc, a figure and wearable objects and more interestingly a box labelled "travellers chest'. I have to admit that some of the content are aimed more at a younger generation or massive fan because i just can' see my self wearing objects from the game although they are nice collectibles. I'm more interested in the box that implies travel, I like how it has an old patina an how they have decorated it in what looks like Asian inspired patterns to it, which is where the story leads you to. 

It's these little details that what make up a cool looking package. If i was to go down this route the games story, setting and characters would inform the overall design.

Rome II

This is another game that doesn't interest me but the special editions content certainly does. I know it's a game of strategy and as an extension to that theme, It looks like they have includes actual board game with strategy in mind. What I'm more interested in is the small catapult. It shows me how imaginative I could take a product like this.

Alan Wake by Remedy

I liked this supernatural thriller, it was a game about  a writer who is living in one of his own super natural novels as he writes it. I love the packaging art work. It has a simple yet effective typography style to it which leads me to believe that this idea of creating a game special edition is an actual possibility. I like how they have made a quirky book (novel) box design which has drawn inspiration from the games story.

Grand Theft Auto V by Rockstar Games

Last but not least, a game from "the king of games" in my opinion, a game so ambitious in scale and story that sold a record number of copies ever. I'm taking about Grand Theft Auto V. The games spacial edition is an extension to their brilliance of design. The whole game is centred around money and heists and they have took that theme and injected it into their package. The whole look of the images background has been themed around the dollar bill which is a nice touch. The blueprint map is a clever idea to show the map of the world which yet again is a nod towards the heist an money theme. They have included loads of additional content in the game which is exclusive to this package. There is also loads of extras such as a t-shirt and hat amongst other small details.

I'm really excited by the idea of creating my own unique special edition box set but it's one hell of a task to do justice. looking at the criteria, I know that this would be the perfect product to cover it. There is the cultural aspect as to the many gaming cultures out there plus, the many types of cultures that may inspire the games story line. The story line and artwork that would come with it would cover the idea of being able understand and apply visual language into a narrative and all of this would inform the overall design. There's room for experiments, drawings, concepts, material's and much more.

 Above all this, it's a test into the unknown and one that I would learn vast amounts from to will test all my skills that I have learnt over the years into one neat package!