Comments on: The golden age of computer game packaging http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html Stuff you can’t talk about with just anyone Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:49:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: marcozna http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-328 marcozna Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:56:00 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-328 Excellent nostalgia this brings. Now we need to pull out the cassettes we used on the Commodore 64s, the days when the phrase "purchased games" couldn't even reach our minds. Who remembers those old cassettes? 30 minutes to load a game only to get an error message at the end. Excellent nostalgia this brings. Now we need to pull out the cassettes we used on the Commodore 64s, the days when the phrase “purchased games” couldn’t even reach our minds.

Who remembers those old cassettes? 30 minutes to load a game only to get an error message at the end.

]]> By: degbunke http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-329 degbunke Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:13:20 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-329 Oooh the nostalgia.... *sniff* And I totally agree with you. Game boxes were really something back then. Oooh the nostalgia…. *sniff* And I totally agree with you. Game boxes were really something back then.

]]> By: Munkey http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-330 Munkey Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:57:57 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-330 Ahhh.. The days when game boxes were actually used for more than storing a couple of discs in paper cases :) Ahhh.. The days when game boxes were actually used for more than storing a couple of discs in paper cases :)

]]> By: Josh http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-331 Josh Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:59:57 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-331 Yep, I hear you man. I too own Baldur's Gate 1 and two, and the packaging was great. While the manuals both had some information that was a bit off, about specific spells or whatever, mostly, they were great. I see Civ3 on your shelf, but not Civ4. Check it out. It's far better, and the manual is nice, too. :) Yep, I hear you man. I too own Baldur’s Gate 1 and two, and the packaging was great. While the manuals both had some information that was a bit off, about specific spells or whatever, mostly, they were great.

I see Civ3 on your shelf, but not Civ4. Check it out. It’s far better, and the manual is nice, too. :)

]]> By: iwanttofitin http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-332 iwanttofitin Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:29:22 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-332 NES and SNES games had great packaging too. The RPGs had multiple maps and really thick manuals with a lot of cool art in them. NES and SNES games had great packaging too. The RPGs had multiple maps and really thick manuals with a lot of cool art in them.

]]> By: FraudWasteAbuse http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-333 FraudWasteAbuse Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:51:46 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-333 I've played Civ4 and it's definately a great game. Did you ever own Civ2? I played a friend's copy and I remember the manual being the size of a small novel. I’ve played Civ4 and it’s definately a great game.

Did you ever own Civ2? I played a friend’s copy and I remember the manual being the size of a small novel.

]]> By: Gil http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-334 Gil Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:07:30 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-334 Excellent blog. As a packaging designer and game enthusiast, I can appreciate great game package design. Great to see that someone else appreciates it as well. Wonderful pieces you have there. :) Excellent blog. As a packaging designer and game enthusiast, I can appreciate great game package design. Great to see that someone else appreciates it as well. Wonderful pieces you have there. :)

]]> By: dkkev http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-335 dkkev Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:01:12 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-335 oh man! i want your "system shock 2" box and game... ah the nostalgia! the long lonely gruesome nights.. love it! miss it! nice collection man! :) oh man! i want your “system shock 2″ box and game… ah the nostalgia! the long lonely gruesome nights.. love it! miss it!

nice collection man! :)

]]> By: the stain http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-336 the stain Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:11:38 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-336 Ahh, those were the good old days. Even before the games you mentioned, does anyone remember the Infocom text adventures? They always came with cool stuff. Wishbringer came with a plastic glow-in-the-dark rock! Ahh, those were the good old days. Even before the games you mentioned, does anyone remember the Infocom text adventures? They always came with cool stuff. Wishbringer came with a plastic glow-in-the-dark rock!

]]> By: Cruiser 7 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-337 Cruiser 7 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:33:45 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-337 Some of the most beautiful artwork I've seen in any medium graced the boxes of games I bought for my Atari 800XL in the early to mid 1980's and for my Commodore Amiga from the late 1980's though the mid 1990's. Though I understand and (mostly) agree with the push to reduce packaging materials, I was more than a little saddened to see it happen. Some of the most beautiful artwork I’ve seen in any medium graced the boxes of games I bought for my Atari 800XL in the early to mid 1980’s and for my Commodore Amiga from the late 1980’s though the mid 1990’s. Though I understand and (mostly) agree with the push to reduce packaging materials, I was more than a little saddened to see it happen.

]]> By: Zeppo http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-338 Zeppo Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:36:29 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-338 Those are nice, but how about the old Infocom boxes? Starcross came in a flying saucer. Suspended came with a white plastic mask with a very creepy picture behind it. Zork was a simple package, though. Planetfall came with all sorts of goodies. ...You get the idea. Great collection. Those are nice, but how about the old Infocom boxes?
Starcross came in a flying saucer.
Suspended came with a white plastic mask with a very creepy picture behind it.
Zork was a simple package, though.
Planetfall came with all sorts of goodies.
…You get the idea.
Great collection.

]]> By: stevefaragher http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-339 stevefaragher Wed, 21 Mar 2007 16:52:38 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-339 Remember the specci games where the packaging promised far far more than the games graphics could muster..atic attack ....Dale Thompson's decathalon the breaker of many many sticks of joy...attack of the mutant camels Remember the specci games where the packaging promised far far more than the games graphics could muster..atic attack ….Dale Thompson’s decathalon the breaker of many many sticks of joy…attack of the mutant camels

]]> By: alotofgoodways http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-340 alotofgoodways Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:30:53 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-340 For some reason, this post reminds me of this: http://www.tapedeck.org/ For some reason, this post reminds me of this: http://www.tapedeck.org/

]]> By: Hamish http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-341 Hamish Wed, 21 Mar 2007 18:53:37 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-341 Great blog, and what memories! Somehow the excitement of a new game just isn't what it used to be...or is it that I am simply getting older? The same seems to apply to buying a new music CD, a new DVD and the whole of Christmas.....what a sad old git! I find myself longing for the simplicity of the Atari 800 and C64...what days! Great blog, and what memories!

Somehow the excitement of a new game just isn’t what it used to be…or is it that I am simply getting older? The same seems to apply to buying a new music CD, a new DVD and the whole of Christmas…..what a sad old git! I find myself longing for the simplicity of the Atari 800 and C64…what days!

]]> By: Tierrie http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-342 Tierrie Wed, 21 Mar 2007 19:58:35 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-342 This is pretty eerie -- the only games I don't have that you do is Half Life, Privateer and Max Payne. The only games I have that you don't (from that era) seems to be C&C Sole Survivor :D This is pretty eerie — the only games I don’t have that you do is Half Life, Privateer and Max Payne. The only games I have that you don’t (from that era) seems to be C&C Sole Survivor :D

]]> By: FraudWasteAbuse http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-343 FraudWasteAbuse Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:36:52 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-343 I actually was a beta tester for Sole Survivor, but I didn't think the game was ever released. I never really thought the game was that fun and my copy of the CD has been lost for a long time. I actually was a beta tester for Sole Survivor, but I didn’t think the game was ever released. I never really thought the game was that fun and my copy of the CD has been lost for a long time.

]]> By: deadtank http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-344 deadtank Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:30:01 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-344 Yeah when I got my first computer, a Commodore 64, is was CRAZY! I remember game boxes what were in crazy shapes like skulls and stuff too. Yeah when I got my first computer, a Commodore 64, is was CRAZY!

I remember game boxes what were in crazy shapes like skulls and stuff too.

]]> By: Evolution of games from 'Blades of Steel' to 'Tiger Woods PGA Tour' « http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-345 Evolution of games from 'Blades of Steel' to 'Tiger Woods PGA Tour' « Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:46:05 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-345 [...] pc games.  They were all so very alike when you look back on it now. Here’s a link to the blog, as it’s worth the read in relation to this week’s [...] […] pc games.  They were all so very alike when you look back on it now. Here’s a link to the blog, as it’s worth the read in relation to this week’s […]

]]> By: Top Posts « WordPress.com http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-323 Top Posts « WordPress.com Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:59:01 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-323 [...] The golden age of computer game packaging Those of you who only started playing computer and video games in the late 1990s may wonder why anyone would write an […] [...] […] The golden age of computer game packaging Those of you who only started playing computer and video games in the late 1990s may wonder why anyone would write an […] […]

]]> By: The golden age of computer game packaging « blog n http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-346 The golden age of computer game packaging « blog n Thu, 22 Mar 2007 03:29:26 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-346 [...] read more | digg story [...] […] read more | digg story […]

]]> By: abu ameerah http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-347 abu ameerah Thu, 22 Mar 2007 13:37:47 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-347 Ahh...memories... Ahh…memories…

]]> By: Ficus http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-324 Ficus Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:51:10 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-324 The original Wing Commander game actually came with four seperate, single-sided "blueprints" of the Hornet, Raptor, Rapier, and Scimitar. I think you might have taken the blueprints from your blue, "Special Edition" box (which also included Secret Missions 1 and 2). I'm not trying to nitpick or anything, just pointing out that even between the time of the original release and the re-release, they'd managed to tone down the game extras in a slight way, perhaps signalling the beginning of the end of awesome game-accompanying add-ons. I'd think that, in an age where you have to pay $49.99 for a game versus $19.99, they'd have increased the meaningless fun goodies that come with them, rather than eliminating them. Now if I could only find the original pocket lint that came with my Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy discs for the C64... The original Wing Commander game actually came with four seperate, single-sided “blueprints” of the Hornet, Raptor, Rapier, and Scimitar. I think you might have taken the blueprints from your blue, “Special Edition” box (which also included Secret Missions 1 and 2).

I’m not trying to nitpick or anything, just pointing out that even between the time of the original release and the re-release, they’d managed to tone down the game extras in a slight way, perhaps signalling the beginning of the end of awesome game-accompanying add-ons.

I’d think that, in an age where you have to pay $49.99 for a game versus $19.99, they’d have increased the meaningless fun goodies that come with them, rather than eliminating them.

Now if I could only find the original pocket lint that came with my Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy discs for the C64…

]]> By: Happy Cog http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-325 Happy Cog Fri, 23 Mar 2007 10:57:18 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-325 I was never a fan of the big boxes, but I always did love the extras they put in it. The original Grand Theft Auto came with that awesome map that was so helpful. The smaller boxes today are great though, there was so much wasted material in the bigger boxes. I was never a fan of the big boxes, but I always did love the extras they put in it. The original Grand Theft Auto came with that awesome map that was so helpful. The smaller boxes today are great though, there was so much wasted material in the bigger boxes.

]]> By: totaltransformation http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-349 totaltransformation Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:43:08 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-349 To think how many of those I carelessly threw away. To think how many of those I carelessly threw away.

]]> By: Keith http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-350 Keith Sun, 25 Mar 2007 15:46:08 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-350 Ahh, Memories ... My first role-playing game was a text adventure, but as far as the genre that came to be, in terms of graphics, et cetera, was also Ultima collection. Baldur Gate was next. Now they have real-person-point movement, as in the Morrowind (Elder Scrolls) series that utilizes the wonders of DVD and powerful graphics now and add-on type adventures that adds to the mapping of the wonderful world created - Bloodmoon (werewolves added) and so on. My all-time favorite in terms of adventure, flight simulation was Privateer, which I no longer have. I wish they would bring it back with all the power of today's graphics. Thanks for sharing your nostalgic memories and sparking mine. Ahh, Memories …
My first role-playing game was a text adventure, but as far as the genre that came to be, in terms of graphics, et cetera, was also Ultima collection.
Baldur Gate was next. Now they have real-person-point movement, as in the Morrowind (Elder Scrolls) series that utilizes the wonders of DVD and powerful graphics now and add-on type adventures that adds to the mapping of the wonderful world created - Bloodmoon (werewolves added) and so on.
My all-time favorite in terms of adventure, flight simulation was Privateer, which I no longer have. I wish they would bring it back with all the power of today’s graphics.
Thanks for sharing your nostalgic memories and sparking mine.

]]> By: Keith http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-351 Keith Sun, 25 Mar 2007 15:49:28 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-351 Total Transformation: I agree - wish I would have kept those classics ... maps, et cetera. And I also like the Civilization series, of which the graphics is great in series IV. Sid Meir's also puts out "Pirates" - which is cool, but wish they would upgrade it and make more choices available. That came with a manual as well. I forgot to mention an excellent game created by some Russian geeks entitled "Arcanum" - and wondered why they didn't make it into a series like the Elder Scrolls chronicles like Morrowind, Bloodmoon, et cetera? Total Transformation:
I agree - wish I would have kept those classics … maps, et cetera.
And I also like the Civilization series, of which the graphics is great in series IV. Sid Meir’s also puts out “Pirates” - which is cool, but wish they would upgrade it and make more choices available. That came with a manual as well.
I forgot to mention an excellent game created by some Russian geeks entitled “Arcanum” - and wondered why they didn’t make it into a series like the Elder Scrolls chronicles like Morrowind, Bloodmoon, et cetera?

]]> By: Biek http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-326 Biek Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:24:58 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-326 Man, this brings back sweet memories. I too have a similar cabinet with those old gaming boxes and even some cassettes. I'll try and remember making a picture (remind me if I forget). Can't let go of them. I was overjoyed to find out that the new Silent Hunter IV was also available in a nice Deluxe edition. Look at this: http://shop.ubi.com/SH4/UK/ I was happy as a kid when that package arrived last Thursday. :-) Man, this brings back sweet memories. I too have a similar cabinet with those old gaming boxes and even some cassettes. I’ll try and remember making a picture (remind me if I forget). Can’t let go of them. I was overjoyed to find out that the new Silent Hunter IV was also available in a nice Deluxe edition. Look at this: http://shop.ubi.com/SH4/UK/

I was happy as a kid when that package arrived last Thursday. :-)

]]> By: WeRequireMoreVespeneGas http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-353 WeRequireMoreVespeneGas Mon, 26 Mar 2007 22:02:51 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-353 I don't think I see anything on that shelf that isn't amazing. I don’t think I see anything on that shelf that isn’t amazing.

]]> By: ksaki http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-520 ksaki Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:04:12 +0000 http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/03/the-golden-age-of-computer-game-packaging.html#comment-520 The manual that came with Falcon 4.0 was approximately the size and length of your average bible, also included was a poster sized map of the Korean Peninsula. Starship Titanic by Douglas Adams include a in-flight magazine. Damn DVD cases and PDF manuals, bloody cheapskate publishers. The manual that came with Falcon 4.0 was approximately the size and length of your average bible, also included was a poster sized map of the Korean Peninsula. Starship Titanic by Douglas Adams include a in-flight magazine. Damn DVD cases and PDF manuals, bloody cheapskate publishers.

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