Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Video Game Images
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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. |
Works for me! Thanks! NiGHTS into Dreams... 00:02, 28 March 2007 (UTC)
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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)
- 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 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)
[edit] 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] 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)
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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
- Make sure that you have answers for:
- 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! )
- Check Here DAILY! [[2]]
- 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)
[edit] 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
[edit] 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 CitrouillesTally-ho! 01:35, 12 August 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Cruis'n (Wii)
If you need a picture, here it is. -- Dvorsky 22:29, 24 August 2007 (UTC)
[edit] 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)
- Well, looks like they went and deleated anyway. So here's another exanple:
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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)
[edit] MGS4
See talk page. Can't decide on which cover.--Playstationdude (talk) 19:51, 7 April 2008 (UTC)
[edit] 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)
![[1]](http://ps3.2play.ch/media/news/2006/oblivion_logo.JPG){kind=link}