Getting overly defensive over a non-issue there. Again, as stated, my initial post wasn't to troll but understand, and unfortunately it's doubtful that I ever will.
You asked, I answered. I don't think I was unreasonable in my justification, nor did I attack you. After all you questioned me to
defend my thought process to help you understand how I reached my conclusion. Did I not?
The issue here is that you called out my specific post out on a question that isn't exactly related. I posted about deciding not to double-dip on the same game, which is a bit different from what I believe you are inferring to be "why would anyone base an initial purchase decision on cover art?" Basically choosing boxart as the top priority in a gaming purchase, right?
I didn't do that. You seem to be unable to accept that as you ignored my response and continued a line of questioning beyond the scope of my original post you quoted.
But let's forget all of that a second. You are curious why anyone would hold icon art so highly that it would override other factors deemed more valuable such as gameplay etc... Now I can't speak for others that may
actually place cover art above design factors, but what do you think attracts people to this thread? I wouldn't presume that people are blindly fishing for good icon art and choosing 'buy' purely for superficial reasons -completely unaware- of the content in the games that are posted wouldn't you agree?
Let's go with an example. When Ys VIII was imminent to release, you see a spike in posts of people suddenly coming into this thread curious and hoping for icon art that reasonably fits the same level of passion and care by the developer as they have for playing the game at release. Basically they are clearly excited for the game for reasons
external to the boxart(they came to this thread with a built-in interest after all) and hope the digital boxart isn't a dud. In that case, the Ys VIII's icon didn't disappoint anyone really, but what about something that does?
Sonic Mania's icon certainly did annoy many fans! But why did it annoy? If gameplay and design was so 'unimportant' to them, why would they even have interest in the game at all? I would instead consider the disappointment in the icon art stems from a built-in demand to own the game and for the expectations of the quality of the game design to extend to its marketable facets. When that piece of the puzzle is unfulfilled, it is deflating for some. We have entire threads dedicated to people that print custom physical boxart to help some satisfy that deflation after all.
If someone balks about cancelling their purchase plans here, there is no evidence to assume they didn't
actually purchase it anyway or on another system. Sometimes people just want to vent their frustrations publicly. Sometimes people make irrational decisions for the sake of emotional vested interests. Sometimes people like a bookshelf lined with consistent spine art on their Blu-Ray's, DVD's, books, or physical game cases and get OCD concerns when they don't match. That seems to now extend to our digital lockers. Some hold those aesthetics slightly higher than others. Our preferences are irrational and often unique. I don't see anyone really
discounting the quality or content of these releases with poor icon art, and really if some are willing to hold off on a purchase, is that not instead a marketing failure on behalf of the publisher or developer? Otherwise what use is cover art at all if not to attract attention?
This went long, but you know, it's not a simple answer gauging the personal impulses of a target market. Maybe that helps frame this thread better? I dunno, doesn't really matter. Icon art matters so little to some, but it factors highly for others, maybe publishers and devs should consider that into their decisions.
Edit: one other factor to consider....
This is a difference of scale. You presume that some are refusing purchase due to the art, despite the quality of the content. It's a scorched Earth problem. (Bad icon = no buy, damn the game quality!) In reality, some players might view the art as a tipping point to impulse purchase. This is how I viewed a potential Sonic double-dip and tried to get you to understand. I was hesitant on doing so(do I REALLY need a second copy?)...but if they fix that art for the Plus update, I
could be swayed to a yes(they didn't so I passed). Some may be considering the money for other options and the art will tip the scales. That little nudge that gets them to open wallets. Icon art acting as a small tickle in one direction rather than the de-facto burden.
