Why do games come in boxes?

[Richter Belmount]

Discuss

[Emperor Megas]

The same reasons nearly everything else does. Because packaging protects the contents, displays information about the product(s) inside, and makes the over all package more aesthetically appealing and easier to stock and display on store shelves.

[Gapporin]

I've never opened one before. Ask Mr. Owl.

[SpaceHarrier]

Sometimes I wonder why games in boxes come in other boxes. Not like Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, because that needed the extra box to hold all the swag.

I mean like PC games used to. A cd jewel case inside a bigger, mostly empty cardboard box. Is it still like this? I haven't purchased one in years so I really don't pay much attention, though when I'm at Wal*Mart buying Mountain Dew, adult diapers and Cheez Whiz sometimes I'll browse through the electronics section and I swear PC games still come in larger-than-necessary cardboard boxes.

[Bojay1997]

Sometimes I wonder why games in boxes come in other boxes. Not like Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, because that needed the extra box to hold all the swag.

I mean like PC games used to. A cd jewel case inside a bigger, mostly empty cardboard box. Is it still like this? I haven't purchased one in years so I really don't pay much attention, though when I'm at Wal*Mart buying Mountain Dew, adult diapers and Cheez Whiz sometimes I'll browse through the electronics section and I swear PC games still come in larger-than-necessary cardboard boxes.

That's actually very rare nowadays. Walmart and a number of other retailers pushed hard in the early 2000s for more uniform and compact packaging for PC games so they could place more on the shelf and not have to keep adjusting the width and height of their display units. While there are still some collector's editions that come in oversize boxes and even the occasional game that still comes in a cardboard box, the vast majority of PC games are either sold in a jewel case or cardboard box which is jewel case size, a DVD style slim case or a thicker DVD size case with or without a cardboard sleeve.

[Boltorano]

I wonder if it was partly to make the games look "classy" and worth the money you were spending on them. A big imposing cardboard box looks more important than a little cartridge. It's my understanding that a lot of the early consoles had really awful boxes for cartridges, another one of the reasons why many haven't survived.

Edit: Also, at least as far as PC games go, it was probably a holdover from the days of floppy disks. I suppose you could have created standardized floppy disk holders out of plastic, but given that games came on X number of floppies (didn't Wing Commander Privateer come on 6?) it was probably easier just to stuff them in a cardboard box instead.

[Callin]

For all the same reasons cereal comes in a box.

[Gameguy]

The same reason why toys are covered with a chocolate shell in Kinder Surprise treats, so you'll have something to eat while you play with the contents.


http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/5479/flappysayseatmorecardbo.jpg

[Vlcice]

Because when they came in plastic bags, they didn't look very professional.

[Lanzo]

Because that would take that hassle out of collecting a CIB set. I mean, don't we all enjoy searching for the mint condition games boxes and manuals?

[Kellhus]

Imagine my disappointment when I came here and wasn't given a punchline nor a *badum tish*.

[Flack]

Because if they were round, they would roll off the shelves.

[Bloodreign]

They sure can't put them in cans.

[Rickstilwell1]

They sure can't put them in cans.

Who opened the can of Worms 2: Armageddon? LOL

[buzz_n64]

DERP DERP
http://newsimg.ngfiles.com/190000/190141_Derp_2.jpg

[jcalder8]

Because you touch yourself at night..... and in the morning..... and pretty much anytime you think no one is looking.

[ishfishmial0]

Everything comes in box because it's easy to store on store shelves. Plus there is a bit of marketing on the box. I remember buying games based on the graphics and writing on the back of the box.

[Richter Belmount]

Imagine my disappointment when I came here and wasn't given a punchline nor a *badum tish*.

Whatever I cant deal with people like you , there isnt room for jokesters here were trying to have a serious discussion here.

[substantial_snake]

When I was younger I found that with PC games the larger and more interesting the box was the more likely it was to get my attention. I can distinctly remember Freespace and Warzone 2100 having wicked cool box art that got me interested in their games.

Although I knew nothing about the series I picked up Freespace in the late 90's almost exclusively on the fact that the huge box with the opening "flap" with all of the marketing bs sold me the game. At that time if a game didn't stand out then I really wouldn't bother taking a look since I got games pretty rarely and I wanted to really feel like I got my money's worth. I know better now but back then it either meant spending my own cash or badgering my parents for a rare chance at them picking something up.

[JSoup]

Because if they came in tinfoil children would put them in microwaves. And we can't have that.

Clearly, boxes are the next best thing.

[lauraleebm]

Glamour... only glamour.

What do you expect?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Because if they were round, they would roll off the shelves.

That's why they make Squagels. SQUARE BAGELS!

Squagels at Cosi!

Regular bagels are like: DROP! (roll roll roll) Squagels are like: DROP! ... and they don't ... they don't roll ... because ... THEY'RE SQUAGELS! WOO!!

http://www.couponingfor4.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Capture260.png

© David Cross

[TonyTheTiger]

Whatever I cant deal with people like you , there isnt room for jokesters here were trying to have a serious discussion here.

There's not much to discuss. Emperor Megas covered it all in the first reply. Games come in boxes because everything else does, too. Why do toasters come in boxes? Why do TVs come in boxes? Why do refrigerators come in REALLY BIG boxes?

[Porksta]

Just to fuck with Goozex's item completeness selection.

[Milk Thistle]

I wish every video game came in those nasty blister packs that you have to destroy to open. If just to piss off fanatical collectors.

But I'm pretty sure digital downloads will get that deed done much sooner.

[Zing]

When I was younger I found that with PC games the larger and more interesting the box was the more likely it was to get my attention.

I remember the tombstone shaped box for "Stonekeep", and the trapezoid shaped box for Final Fantasy VII. I think Tomb Raider also came in the trapezoid box, which would make sense since both games were published by Eidos.

[TonyTheTiger]

I wish every video game came in those nasty blister packs that you have to destroy to open. If just to piss off fanatical collectors.

But I'm pretty sure digital downloads will get that deed done much sooner.

Oh, god. A world of clamshell blister packs. As if I don't fuck up my hands enough as is.

Oddly enough, Game.com games did come that way.

[SparTonberry]

They sure can't put them in cans.
But Hudson Soft actually did that with a few later Japanese GB games.
(such as Bomberman Collection, Momotaro Collection, GameBoy Wars 3)

[Jorpho]

And then there were those plastic trays.
http://i56.tinypic.com/9ur8nn.jpg
http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/articles/assend14_a.shtm


I remember the tombstone shaped box for "Stonekeep", and the trapezoid shaped box for Final Fantasy VII. I think Tomb Raider also came in the trapezoid box, which would make sense since both games were published by Eidos.And The Incredible Machine and Gabriel Knight.

[Richter Belmount]

Omg what a troll.