Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Video game images/Archive 1

Archive 1

Upcoming games box art?

Should we have templates requesting box art on articles for games that have been recently released? Games like Afrika are barely even known about, and the box art is definitely not coming for six months. Having games like these on our list could get in the way of streamlining our work. — Preceding unsigned comment added by NiGHTS into Dreams... (talk • contribs)

Agreed. Also, we should really try to make sure that for every fair use image uploaded an appropriate fair use rationale is added. Also, we should really try not to upload images that have been watermarked, which images from IGN and mobygames usually are. JACOPLANE • 2007-03-27 14:54

What about a separate template for upcoming games? That way we could siphon the games that need it now, and the games that need it later into two categories. NiGHTS into Dreams... 11:32, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Userboxes and logo?

We need to get some Userboxes and a logo! Any ideas? NiGHTS into Dreams... 20:15, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

A userbox could be helpful, feel free to go ahead and make one, not sure we need a logo though. JACOPLANE • 2007-03-27 20:16

How about this:

This user participates in the
Video Game Images department.

JACOPLANE • 2007-03-27 20:44

Works for me! Thanks! NiGHTS into Dreams... 00:02, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Suggestion

I have an image-related suggestion. My experience with assessing and peer reviewing articles has made me think critically of images in articles a lot, and something I have noticed multiple times is the obstructing huge size of the VG infobox. With system requirements, four different release dates and six different ratings, this infobox sometimes extends below the lead section and ToC.

My suggestion is to prefer cutting out the logo for the game, and using it as image in the infobox, instead of the full box cover (use that elsewhere in the article). A good example is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The current image could easily be replaced with the logo thingy. ([1])

For many games, this will be impossible, but particularly the most visible game articles tend to have logos of some kind available.

--User:Krator (t c) 22:43, 30 March 2007 (UTC)

Ooh, this is a tough one.... While I agree that many of the images are too large, I don't think that eliminating box art is the way to go. The image size can be diminished, as I have done to the Oblivion box. What we need to do is set a standard maximum size for all box arts. For the sake of consistency, if we made the logo the main image, we would have to make every page's main image the logo, and I really don't want to cut out the logo for Greendog. However, I am likely not the best judge of these things, and we should wait for the other members of the Task Force to decide before any action is taken. NiGHTS into Dreams... 01:13, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

I think that keeping the box art but setting a maximum size is the way to go. For example a maximum width of 200 pixels. Cabe6403 21:55, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Guidelines on finding images.

The current guidelines on images seem to focus on fair-use rationales and where images are proper. There don't seem to be any guidelines or policies on finding images, however. For computer games, this is easy (at least for owners) - take a screenshot. For games that can be emulated (and those that have emulators), I suppose this strategy can still work, as well as for people with TV-in ports on their video card and an appropriate console. However, in cases where these don't apply... then what? Is it open season on screenshots from other websites? I've seen images in articles that the uploader hasn't even bothered to crop off the IGN or Gamespot watermark. While obviously these other sites don't hold the copyright either... is it permissible to just go on a grabbing spree? Anything to watch out for? SnowFire 17:17, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

If you see a watermarked image, get it deleted as quick as you can. Those are not allowed, nor should they be cropped since IGN or Gamespot (who put the watermark) intend to keep that image. They hold a partial copyright, as does the makers of the game. What you want to look for is an image online that does not have a watermark or logo. Then you copy it, downsize it (to web resolution and for copyright reasons), then upload it with the original link sourced and with the rationale. This was discussed in length on CVG talk, and I'll find the link if I can.--Clyde (talk) 20:27, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Found it here.--Clyde (talk) 20:38, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Having a guideline on this would be perfect! Please feel free to go ahead and write it! JACOPLANE • 2007-04-25 23:22

I'm making sure my sanity is at 100% before I enter a bottomless pit of writing a guideline. However, I will do it if I get a chance.--Clyde (talk) 01:08, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

I´m one of the webmasters of "No-Intro Screenshot Archive" ( http://no-intro.dlgsoftware.net/ ). We are recollecting scans and screenshots for every console game published in cartridges ( maybe one day we´ll start with cd-based ones). All our images are free of watermarking. If you please, you can get it from us. I don´t know if wikipedia permits it, but a little credit will be wonderful. We have not published any scan yet but you can take a look at our preview packs for SNES here: http://www.marcianitos.org/foro/showthread.php?t=6040 . 83.46.177.74 00:05, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

A few questions

I would very much like to contribute video game images to wikipedia, and I just discovered this task force so I will gladly participate. I noticed that the main task force page has little information as yet, so here are a few questions. If anyone has a definitive answer or knows where I can find the answer it would be much appreciated!

1. First of all, I own many video games for home consoles. Unfortunately, for the cartridges I do not have very many boxes and instruction booklets, just the bare cartridges. I understand that an image of the cartridge in an article is better than no image at all, so I will go ahead and photograph these and add them to articles that do not have an image. Now I'm getting to the point... if an article has a screenshot in the infobox (example is Name This Game) then should I displace the screenshot with a photo of the cartridge, or should the cartridge photo go somewhere else in the article? Also, if I photograph these cartridges myself, are they subject to all the copyright/fair use headaches or can I just say that I own the pictures since I took them myself? I remember a long discussion on CVG Talk about this but I never understood the end result of the discussion... those threads are so hard for my simple mind to follow.

2. I am also wondering about arcade cabinets... what is the preferred image for these? The cabinet itself, or just the marquee? Once again, I understand that any image is better than none, but if I can find an existing Raiden cabinet (for example), should I replace the screenshot with an image of the cabinet? If I photograph an arcade cabinet found in a video arcade at the local shopping mall, do I own the image or do I have to deal with the fair use headaches?

3. What size should most of these images be? It was mentioned above that 200 pixels should be maximum for width, but I take it that was just a suggestion. I don't know how to make wikipedia automatically scale images in articles, so I see myself running into size problems easily.

4. Lastly, a somewhat cosmetic question: how do I go about adding my name as an official member of the video game images task force? I want recognition for all these video game photos! ;) New User 04:51, 3 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't know if you are still active or care, but here's the low down on what I know. To join the project, add your name to the list of members then add the userbox. I don't know about arcade related stuff, so I can't help you there. As to images, I think online images are better than a grainy image of the cartridge. You have to add a fair use rationale either way, so at least make it better quality (unless you have a good camera). The cover is copyrighted, so fair use is a must. Finally, you don't need to replace images, just add them. As long as they can be justified through fair use, the more the merrier.--Clyde (talk) 01:30, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

edit war!!! Wee!

Over at Ratatouille (video game), there is an edit war between two users who are flippity-flopping the PS2 and GC game cover images in the infobox. What are the guidelines for which console's image is to be displayed? I threw the PC image into the mix as a compromise, but both parties rejected that. So I'll let you guys decide, as I don't care one way or the other as long as these two users stop reverting each other. Cheers! SpikeJones 19:44, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

CE and LE editions?

Is this where I can make a request for images for the List of computer and video game collector and limited editions? I think it could be jazzed up a bit and more informative with some other examples of CE and LEs... especially good would be any comparison images vs regular editions. Deusfaux 09:29, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale needed on thousands of screenshots and boxart.

I think the "fair use rationale" issue is a huge problem, as roughly 90-95% of the images I come across have the copyright boilerplate, but not the fair use rationale. Has this rule always been in effect, or was it instated within the last year?

Anyway, I'm new to adding this fair use rationale junk, but I'm trying to save as many images for NES games as I can from getting deleted. It's a tough job, but I want to be done by July 31 beacuse someone flagged a ton of images to get chunked on August 1. There's other consoles as well that are effected as well, but I just want to concentrate on NES.

I think it should be a higher priority to protect the images that are already uploaded, then insert new images. Someone can swoop down and flag thousands of these in a day, and 7 days later, they'll be gone.

Eh, I'm just rambling a bit now due to pain medicine. I don't like doing all this work to throw down redundant information to save a screenshot or boxart, but someone has to.SashaNein 18:07, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

I've noticed this too. It appears that a bot is marking any fair-use image without a rationale, setting them up for speedy deletion. I'll try to help out as much as I can, and see if I can get the message out to others. Tails445 23:30, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

Feel free to use Template:vgrationale - it'll speed things up a lot. Please read the template documentation thoroughly before using. — KieferSkunk (talk) — 05:12, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Roit! Someone HAS to! Other wise the admin delete nazis are on it like a pirana. I just had a bear of a time with Rogue (Computer Game).

1. Find all the pertinente templest first!

2. Look for an example, and have the template ready for boiler plating.

Make sure that you have answers for:

Source of image

Liscensing information

Fair use tag, and attached to an article

Has fair use rationale

3. Put your uploaded images on your watch list.

4. Check the images for deletion. ( Most of the time, the images get marked for speedy deletion, so the ADNs dont have to post anything )

Check Here DAILY! [[2]]

Watch for "These are not the only "valid" reasons to delete an image. Any properly explained reason can be used." { EXACT QUOTE! )

5. Get an account IMMEDIATLY on wikimedia, and wait the requisite 4 to 6 weeks for them to respond.

6. Find the template for HOLD ON ( just one of the new templates Im working on... :)

7. Post IMMEDIATLY on [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Images_and_media_for_deletion/Date ( fill in date of upload )

8. Check the deletion log of the file daily!

Usually found at http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Log/delete&page=Image:

9. Note: The two images I uploaded, were deleted WITHOUT reading the copyright notice, and WITHOUT saying anything to me, or posting on the Images_and_media_for_deletion,

And even being argumententive about the idea of fair use.

Best of luck 71.193.2.115 (talk) 09:22, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Joined (I think)

After adding some pictures to Alien Storm I think I would like to help you with this. I can take screenshots from games for the PC (obviously), PS2 (via Gamebridge, nothing professional but it should do the job) and of course emulation. It goes without saying that it's limited to games I own. I added my name to the list, is that all there is to it? Or do I need permission first or something? Sorry to bother you. --Mysterious Bob 23:08, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I give you permission :) Please help out, we can never have enough people helping out! JACOPLANE • 2007-08-1 23:13

Several new images added

I added new images of controllers, including Justifiers, the Resident Evil 4 chainsaw, BatterUP, and GunCons. I hope that helps! :) Sincerely, --Le Grand Roi des Citrouilles^Tally-ho! 01:35, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Cruis'n (Wii)

If you need a picture, here it is. -- Dvorsky 22:29, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

Game Sprite Screenshots

Just wondering, are any rules against uploading gif images of game sprite? I hope this is the right place to ask such a question. Sarujo 08:13, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

You mean like Image:Wonder boy platform.gif? There's not really a problem, except that it's hard to get the size down to something reasonable. Also see this previous discussion. JACOPLANE • 2007-10-3 08:35

Well not exactly, but thanks for answearing another question I would have asked after. What I'm refering to is something like Image:ShredderNES3.gif, which is a cutout of the game sprite in gif format. Sarujo 03:59, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Well, looks like they went and deleated anyway. So here's another exanple: Sarujo 04:12, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

URGENT: Need to fix fair-use rationales on existing FUR images

Anyone who has used {{vgrationale}} to enter a fair-use rationale for video-game images needs to go back and double-check those images. Someone changed the main FUR template recently such that it requires an "Article" parameter, and any use of the template that doesn't include this parameter now shows "NEEDS ARTICLE NAME" in its header.

This issue has been fixed in the vgrationale template itself, but since that template is invoked using {{subst:}}, all images where it has already been used need to be manually updated. To fix, just add:

|Article=(name of article)

...to the FUR template in the image. You do not need to reuse vgrationale again unless you wish to make more extensive changes to the FUR on that image.

Thanks! — KieferSkunk (talk) — 19:28, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Size of screenshots

Hi, I'd like to help by adding some game screenshots, particularly of 16bit and 8bit games, and I was wondering whether to upload them as the original size, or to enlarge them to make them easier to see. I know that some people will have image-resizing tools in their browser, but others won't.

I noticed that this question was sort of asked upthread, though not really answered, and from what I can see most screenshots in articles are at the original size, but I just wondered if there was official consensus on this? I apologise if this is answered somewhere because I couldn't find it. -- DatRoot 13:12, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

I think it's best to stick to the original size. I don't think there is any consensus on this issue, though. JACOPLANE • 2007-10-26 21:33

Thanks, ok then I'll stick to that -- DatRoot 22:11, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Question

Hi, I'm an on & off contributer, and I recently noticed that box cover art images now need five line essays about why they should be kept. I can't find the page that states the reason for this. Would just adding the vgrationale tag to the image page solve this or do I need to do something else?AceWhatever (talk) 07:11, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

You're looking for Wikipedia:Non-free content criteria for the reason. All you need to do is make sure the image is being used properly according to that page and add a non-free rationale as described at Wikipedia:Non-free use rationale guideline. A properly completed {{Vgrationale}} tag is one way to add such rationale. Pagrashtak 18:12, 27 January 2008 (UTC)

Screenshots

Im just curious if anybody has mailed the mayor video game publishers legal departments and just asked if we cant use them under a free/non-fairuse-requiring license like we can do with the Ubisoft screenshots.. If noone has mailed em yet, why not give it a try ;) Yzmo ^talk 12:51, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

This would be great if it happened, but honestly the chances of that are pretty slim, I think. I wonder if some smaller companies might be more apt, in the hopes of increased exposure. Pagrashtak 18:03, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

Getting Screenshots

Finding VG screenshots online that both are not watermarked and are actually useful in an article is pretty difficult. I was wondering, how would one go about capturing images from consoles such as an Xbox or a Wii to upload onto a computer? What kind of equipment would be necessary? --Hydrokinetics12 (talk) 04:50, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

That's actually kind of tricky to do, you need to get a component video capture card. I'm not sure it's worth the effort. For older games, you can take screenshots from an emulator. JACOPLANE • 2008-03-13 12:36

That's all right. I was simply curious as to the process by which preople upload screens onto their computers. --Hydrokinetics12 (talk) 23:53, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

MGS4

See talk page. Can't decide on which cover.--Playstationdude (talk) 19:51, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

PNG vs. JPEG

I've noticed a lot of box art and arcade game flyers are being uploaded as PNGs. Note that PNGs are good for line art (logos) and screenshots from 2-D games, not box art and arcade flyers which often contain photographic images and/or were created from JPEG image sources. Arcade flyers in particular are most likely taken from the Arcade Flyer Archive, which scans these flyers and uploads them as JPEGs. --Jtalledo (talk) 21:54, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

Source of Screenshots

Where do most of the screenshots on Wikipedia come from? Are they copies of non-watermarked images from third-party sites? Or are the majority taken and uploaded by the editors themselves? And if it is the latter, would it be possible to put up requisitions for screenshots just like you can for VG magazine reviews? --Hydrokinetics12 (talk) 03:34, 27 July 2008 (UTC)

Requests are made by having {{WikiProject Video games|screenshot=yes}} on the talk page. MrKIA11 (talk) 05:07, 27 July 2008 (UTC)

Gruntz...

I'm sure this is in no way the correct place to raise this issue, but I've re-vamped and added images to the [[Gruntz)) article. Should somebody edit the article's talk page? And perhaps tell me where to raise these issues in the future?Gaiacarra (talk) 18:04, 28 July 2008 (UTC)

Single Sprite

Is there any way for us to add a single sprite under fair use, such as http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l133/Drkirby/Sprites/megaman.gif --Drkirby (talk) 17:43, 1 August 2008 (UTC)

Assistance with Free use rationale and release dates

Could a check by made of the free use rationales for the 2 images on the Z: Steel Soldiers article? I've tried as best I can. - Shiftchange (talk) 22:48, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

Looks OK to me. JACOPLANE • 2008-08-11 16:14

Arcade game images

When it comes images, I can think of uploading title screens, a shot of gameplay, and the marquee. Is one type preferred over the others? CardinalFangZERO (talk) 03:02, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Yoshi

There is a discussion on Talk:Yoshi over whether the lead image should be a recent image from Super Smash Bros. Brawl or a two-year old image from Yoshi's Island DS. Your opinions would be welcome on this matter. Stifle (talk) 13:29, 10 September 2008 (UTC)

Anomaly Warzone Earth

Just a heads-up for you folks - I've added a copy of the game's title art to the article.

I'd appreciate it if someone could give the fair-use rationale I attached to the file a once-over, though, just to make sure everything's kosher. I think I got it right, but it doesn't hurt to have a more experienced hand take a look.

The picture in question can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AnomalyWarzoneEarthTitleArt.jpg

All the best, Special Operative MACAVITY^{Debrief me} 04:00, 10 April 2011 (UTC)

GSC Game World permission

Hi, you may want to add GSC Game World permission (see its template), which allows usermade screenshots under GFDL, to this resource page. Cheers, Jean-Fred (talk) 19:47, 4 April 2009 (UTC)

Talk Page Archived

Okay. Since the page was growing too large, I decided to archive it. IF you wish to continue an old discussion, please continue them here. Thanks!  Dylanlip  (talk) 13:57, 5 April 2009 (UTC)

Worms World Party images marked for deletion

The images Image:Worms weapons and tools menu.png (used in Worms (series)) and Image:Worms World Party screenshot.png (used in both Worms World Party and Worms (series)) have been marked for deletion. I have tried to improve the articles per the deletionists' comments. Perhaps you could drop in your two cents for the images, too? The deletion discussions are here and here. —ZeroOne (talk / @) 08:41, 9 April 2009 (UTC)

File:Coleco Donkey Kong.png

Image:Coleco Donkey Kong.png has been nominated for deletion at WP:FFD

70.29.213.241 (talk) 06:31, 13 April 2009 (UTC)

Debate - English Language Cover Art - First Uploaded vs. Most Recognizable/ First Country with English Language

There is a discussion going on in the Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride talk page about the box art. The first one posted was for the AU version of the game, but the first area to receive an English port was North America. The significance about this is that the NA release of the game has the full title of Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride on the cover, whereas the other version has the title of Dragon Quest: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride. Can someone comment on how this should be resolved? The rules seem to contradict in this case. Should the AU one that came out later remain, or should it be replaced with the NA version? 72.237.4.150 (talk) 18:01, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Stick with the first uploaded. With two names there are always going to be "wrong" versions of the cover. So stick with the first uploaded and mention the differences in the article. - X201 (talk) 19:11, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Arcade Game Images

This is related to an archived question which was never answered.

For arcade games, what is the best type of image to use for the infobox? The guidelines vary between explicitly asking for box-art and asking for any kind of identifying image.

There's several different ways to identify these games. In general, which of the following is the most preferred? What are the exceptional conditions?

• Photo of the physical arcade machine
• Photo or scan of a flyer for the game
• Screenshot of the title screen
• ...?

-- Senthryl (talk) 14:18, 30 July 2009 (UTC)

Note: This question has turned into a debate at the parent project. Please head over there and discuss. Thanks! — Senthryl ^(talk) 20:00, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

After the above debate was archived it has been restarted on the parent project again here. AirRaidPatrol 84 (talk) 11:33, 30 November 2009 (UTC)

Amount of images in an article

If this article were to be considered a good article, which images from the Gameplay and Synopsis sections would need to go? VG Editor (talk) 10:40, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

Images not refreshing/updating/whatever

I uploaded new boxarts for Jade Empire and Way of the Samurai 3. Why are they not showing on the article but show fine on the image page itself? --Mika1h (talk) 21:30, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Apparently the pixel size has something to do with it, since both were at 250px and when I changed to anything but that, they worked. --Mika1h (talk) 21:35, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Crash Time screenshot

I am struggling to find a suitable gameplay screenshot for use at Crash Time: Autobahn Pursuit for Xbox 360. If anybody knows how to best obtain one I have the game but don't really know how to generate a screenshot. I am looking for advice really. Thanks, AirRaidPatrol 84 (talk) 11:13, 30 November 2009 (UTC)

Screenshots for Aqua

I'm struggling to add box art and screen shots to the article about a new game for Xbox LIVE Arcade named Aqua. I don't have permission to upload images. I tried Wiki Commons, but they do not permit fair use. Yeah, by the way, I work for the company that owns rights for all assets of the game. Reading a few articles about licenses and all that, I'm lost like in a maze. Can anyone point me? Thank you, guys. --Zajoman (talk) 12:40, 6 May 2010 (UTC)

Hello again. I am sorry for my quick deletion on Commons, I did not consider that you could be an employee of the owner of the game (well, it never happened to me before... :-)

Would your company consider releasing one or several screenshots under a free license ? If so then those files would be most welcome on Wikimedia Commons. Other companies did so : ACE Team (Chili) for Zeno Clash, Tripwire Interactive (US) for Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45, ImpactGames (US) for PeaceMaker or Frogwares (France/Ireland) for several games.

The freely licensed files hosted on Wikimedia Commons have several advantages over files uploaded locally under Fair-Use. They can be used on all Wikipedia projects, in all languages. They can be used wherever they are relevant (fair-use images can only be used where they are the most relevant), and can be in high resolution.

If you are interested, then I would be pleased to discuss it with you and help with the maze that are free licenses.

(Otherwise, the folks of the English VG project would be more helpful with questions regarding Fair-Use.)

Cheers, Jean-Fred (talk) 22:47, 6 May 2010 (UTC)

Number of images policy

Recently, I edited the Crystal Castles article to include a poster. I was told by a helpful wikipedian that by doing so, the small gallery of screenshots at the bottom of the page would need to be removed. The gallery previously contained one screenshot for each of a few ports of the game, though none for the arcade version of the game. I'd appreciate guidance with respect to the appropriate number of screenshots for a given game. First: Is it appropriate to have multiple screenshots, one for each port of a game to illustrate graphical differences? Second: Is it appropriate to have multiple screenshots, one for each distinct mode of play (think Tron, which really consists of several distinct games)? Third: Is it appropriate to use screenshots to illustrate different levels of play, which are aesthetically different, but have retain all gameplay across levels? (In other words, a screenshot of different mazes on Pac-Man)? Fourth: Is it more appropriate to use cover art / poster, screenshots, or gameplay screenshots for the infobox? Last: Are these questions addressed somewhere in the project to give guidance? If not, they should be. Thanks! - superβεεcat  02:03, 1 July 2010 (UTC)

Copyrighted images must adhere to Wikipedia:Non-free content criteria. This is because Wikipedia strives to be a "free" encyclopedia, and copyrighted material limits how free it can be. Copyrighted material can be used under a claim of fair use, but it must meet the 10 non-free content criteria. Multiple screenshots of game typically fail to meet the criteria. On average, a video game article should use 1–2 screenshots. Each screenshot should convey different information that would be very difficult to convey with words alone.

1. Unless each port is drastically different (see Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy for an example), then the information would not be different enough to satisfy criteria 3a: minimal usage. If the only difference are minor color and shape changes, like was common with ports of older games, then the images are not different enough.
2. Because the information in the images is different enough, then there would be a stronger argument to include images for the different modes of play. Also, see Shadow of the Colossus, which includes a screenshot of gameplay and a cutscene. The gameplay aids the reader understand the mechanics, illustrates the HUD, and a colossus. The cutscene illustrates a story-telling element of the game and provides close-ups of the main characters.
3. See Marble Madness#Gameplay for an example. Only a single course is shown because the other courses can be described in the prose. Once a single course is show, it can be used to provide context for other game elements.
4. This has been a point of contention for the project, particularly for arcade games (see list below). At this point there is no consensus one way or the other for arcade game images in the infobox. It's generally agreed that cover art is suitable for home console games. Screenshots are typically used when nothing else is available, but they should really go in "Gameplay" sections of the article.
   • Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Archive 14#Arcade flyers in Infobox CVG
   • Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Archive 72#Flyers more notable than gameplay?
   • Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Archive 77#Arcade flyers
5. The VG project's recommendations for articles can be found at Wikipedia:WikiProject Video games/Article guidelines. A shortcut to the image section is WP:VGIMAGES.

Hope that explains everything well enough. (Guyinblack25 ^talk 20:26, 1 July 2010 (UTC))

Thank you, that explains the situation very well. It is unfortunate from a practical standpoint, that the number must be so limited- a picture is worth a thousand words, and video games are, after all, visual. This guideline does run contrary to what I've experienced - look at the number of unauthorized guides to any number of video games with numerous screenshots. I have an unauthorized Final Fantasy VII guide with at least 100 screenshots. I would definitely lobby for a screenshot per port, and a screenshot per level/stage/mode of play as still falling squarely under fair use; but I don't plan on rocking the boat at the moment. I do think games like tron which are a collection of mini-games would benefit from a screenshot per mode. Thanks again!  superβεεcat  20:06, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

The issue has been a hot spot for a number of editors. I believe such video game guides meet United States fair use law, as would a screenshot per port. But Wikipedia decided to apply more narrowly defined criteria than regular fair use. Part of the whole "free" encyclopedia thing.

In any case, these are still just guidelines. If there's a strong argument for more than usual, then it has a chance to be accepted as an exception. Sometimes it's also about finding images that give more bang for the buck. Check out Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2008-09-22/Dispatches for a guide about reviewing non-free images. (Guyinblack25 ^talk 19:51, 3 July 2010 (UTC))

That signpost was an interesting read - thanks for the link. It's unfortunate that notable games are almost universally subject to these very strict guidelines. A lot of information could easily be conveyed through more image use, rather than awkward prose which tries to capture, in several paragraphs, what could easily be shown in a screen grab. The guidelines seem unnecessarily restrictive from a legal perspective, when considering that there are not, and probably never will be, free alternatives to fair use in the video game area. Very discouraging. - superβεεcat  17:14, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

I've got a curious case regarding arcade game images/flyers. The article 9 Ball Shootout! currently has a screenshot in place. I paid a visit to the Arcade Flyer Archive to retrieve a flyer for it - however, as you can see, the flyers are an extremely unhelpful depiction of the game. No photo of the cabinet. Lots of text and screenshot on one side, pictures of characters but no logo on the other. Curious what you/others would recommend in this situation. ✰^oaoii/talk 03:43, 11 July 2010 (UTC)

Use of title screens

I was about to upload the cover art for the game Super Cauldron for use in its infobox, as it currently has a screenshot of the game's title screen. I know cover art is preferred, but I was wondering - what do I do with the title screen image? If it were a gameplay image, I'd simply move it into the body of the article, but this is not the case. Do I just outright replace it? Thanks! ✰^oaoii/talk 02:26, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

Judging by the notices I get from DASHBot, I think that you just have to replace the image. It should get tagged as orphaned and deleted if it isn't used in another article. If this image would benefit the article—such as a gameplay screnshot—it could be moved elsewhere in the article, but I don't think this title screen adds much more information than the cover art. —Ost (talk) 19:11, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

One other question

Also, I've been looking through some of the pages with box art requests and some of them seem to be iPhone OS or mobile phone games. What do I do in the case that the game actually doesn't have box art? Just remove the request? What would go in the infobox, then? A screenshot of the title screen, or promotional image? Thanks. ✰^oaoii/talk 02:44, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

I wouldn't remove the request, although maybe that parameter needs redefining for digital games; it seems that the prose specifies logo instead of just box art. I would assume title screenshot could be used in these cases, or perhaps a logo that is used to represent the app in the store. —Ost (talk) 19:11, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks, and thanks for responding to my other inquiry as well. ✰^oaoii/talk 21:13, 7 July 2010 (UTC)