Blog Archives
Ghostbusters Blu-Ray Case
Click To Enlarge
This was an old design that has been redone in light of a recent tower case design I made.
Video Game Anti-Piracy Ideas Part 2: The Self-Serve Kiosk
This is an idea that not only addresses piracy, but supply and demand for video games both new and old. A kiosk that makes video game discs on-demand offers a lot of flexibility for the consumers, and plenty of potential for game publishers and mortar-and-brick stores.
First I’ll talk about the anti-piracy measures. If there is one common trait of all packaged video games it’s that they are mass-produced, an army of clones with no uniqueness. Each PC game is bundled with a unique key code, but that is as close to product differentiation as you’ll see for packaged media.
With this kiosk system, no two game discs would be the same. The kiosk would be able to generate unique identifying code for each copy. Anti-piracy could be done in two ways: unique ID markers on each disk which can be traced back to the point of purchase (and potentially the purchaser as well*) if that disc is shared online, which would make everyone very protective of their discs. The second route would be unique code that needs to be activated by a unique key on a USB stick — a tandem needed to play the game. An online check can verify the uniqueness of the disc and key code.
This system would be ideal for new releases on next-gen systems, but can issue older games as well. It’s just the older games would have no anti-piracy measures. Old games would be cheap enough to lure customers away from torrenting.
While these machines would carry extensive libraries, they’d have wait times and some manual work as well, like inserting the cover art into the case sleeve and the disc into the case.
But you’d have options! Maybe multiple games on one disc. Numerous options for the cover art would be available, or you could upload your own.
This takes all the guesswork out of distribution of video games. Have a few of these in the store and you’re all set. No telling customers you’re sold out. No games collecting dust or being moved to the discount bin.
Another thing I’d like to see for this system is pricing options. Your purchased could be subsided by several ads that autoplay once. You could decline a printed instruction booklet in favor of a .PDF file for a few dollars less. Maybe agree to a survey as to why you’re making this purchase. More point-of-sale incentives that will save customers money is always a good thing in my book (better than applying for a credit card to save 10%).
This would also work well for movies and music. Granted, this idea is still a decade late. But if companies still insist on using physical media for next-gen game systems, then this sort of delivery system should be considered.
*Sorry for going Big Brother there. But if you Pirate then you’re painting the bulls-eye on your own back.
Breaking Bad Blu-Ray Case
Breaking Bad has been my favorite drama these past 4 years. I happened to stumble upon the debut episode during the scene where Walter White takes down the bullies in the clothing store, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I’ve yet to feature the show in this blog, despite all my brainstorming*. Probably because the show has evolved so much, and is difficult to pin down in terms of iconic imagery.
One thing that has stayed the same is the blue…um, product. Look I’m trying to keep this blog rated G. The last Blu-Ray design was Finding Nemo. Gimme a break! EDIT: The last one was actually Rushmore, which is a Disney production. Really.
This is a standard Tin or Steelbook case design, with the front face removed and replaced with shattered-looking blue plastic. The overall effect is to make this look like a baking tray filled with smashed blue….product.
The shatter theme reflects the name of the show, and is also representative of the depicted violence and destruction - the show’s calling card. It works perfectly for Blu-Ray because of the blue scheme.
I usually do designs for complete series or box sets, however this one is ideal for a single season given the thin design. A box set for these would look like a an upright trolley on wheels that stores 5 of these baking trays, much like you’d see in a bakery (and was used in the show).
I have other ideas for a complete series and may post them soon, but I am leaning towards waiting until the conclusion of Season 5 next year - or more likely in 2013.
*Battlestar Galactica is another show that continues to vex me. Darn you, BSG!
Rushmore Blu-Ray Case
Given the opportunity to make a special edition for this film, I would make a ‘Max Fischer Yearbook Edition’, which would copy the book seen early in the film.
This is a similar design to the Princess Bride book + Blu-Ray combo from a few months back, but I added a slipcase to it. Seeing as this addition is a sort of jacket, I made it look like a Rushmore-crested jacket from the film.
The yearbook would feature as much material shown in the montage from early in the film, depicting all the clubs Max Fischer has founded or is a member of. That would be hilarious to look over.
This excellent film has already been released on Blu-Ray by Criterion, which makes it a must-have. I love the design of that release, and included the cover art on the disc above.
Finding Nemo Blu-Ray Case
Originally I was going to make an aquarium box set for Finding Nemo, but it seemed a bit overkill. Then I thought it would be better to keep the design similar to the already-released Pixar Blu-Ray films for a nice uniform look.
I thought the aquarium would still be a fun theme, so I applied that design to the standard Blu-Ray case.
How it works: The plastic case itself would be all clear plastic except for the top cap section. There would be an outer sleeve that is a clear cel, and would only have the title, green border, spine art, and back details (region info). Instead of a booklet, an inner clear cel sleeve would be used, and it would feature several characters. Finally the disc would feature some plant life and a few other characters.
The idea is to make this look like a frame of multiplane cel animation, with all the different characters looking like they are floating in space.
Like other Disney Blu films, this would have a removable cardboard outer sleeve. The booklet could reside behind the discs for the most optimal appearance, though I don’t think this design needs a booklet - all the relevant info could be placed on the back or cardboard sleeve.
Finding Nemo has yet to be released on Blu-Ray, which is weird because the film holds the crown as the greatest-selling DVD of all time. I’d like to think this film would floor people in HD.
If you like this check out the Incredibles Blu-Ray design one from last year.
Battleship Blu-Ray Case
For a recent interview I predicted that next year’s Battleship film would be released in a case that features the namesake board game - and that it would be awesome. Having declared that, I thought it would be cool to make a rough visual estimate of what it would look like.
It could look like the above image - a single-piece construction. It could also take a form similar to the retail game, with separate clam-shells. I figure the discs could be stored underneath the playing areas. This would be the size of a typical Blu-Ray box set when closed.
Hasbro signed a minimum 4-picture deal with Universal Studios in 2008 to produce films based on a few properties, among them board games. Monopoly is also in development, slated to be a feature film directed by Ridley Scott of all people (Battleship is directed by Peter Berg, who is no slouch either). Another film based on Ouija was recently cancelled.
I’m going to predict that all board game films will be released in a Blu-Ray + board game combo. The board game will be compact, similar to existing travel editions. I say this because these games would be such a perfect tie-in, and their inclusion makes for a relatively inexpensive addition. It’s a win-win.
