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[Zemm]

This is one of the most civil threads on the forum and there's still people coming in outraged that people aren't buying games because of an icon (something that isn't even happening), and supposedly they're the weird ones?

It looks like Nintendo even gave guidance on how to make a good icon and how not to make an icon yet quite a few devs still went with the latter.

 

[D.Lo]

"Hey guys you are idiots for caring about an icon it doesn't bother me so it shouldn't bother you because my opinion is the only one that matters."

-every 20th post in this thread.

 

[Skullwaker]

I don't mind the Sonic Mania icon much since I like the general aesthetic of Mania, but it would certainly look much better if it included the title (and they had many options for this so I'm not sure why they didn't). It's currently the only Switch game on my home screen that lacks a title in the icon, so it's a little weird lol.

 

[Caelus]

Hopefully Taxman and the rest of the crew will make a quick patch, they're very receptive to fan feedback. The UI of the game is gorgeous so it's a shame the menu icon is so jarring.

 

[Waluigilicious]

Hopefully Taxman and the rest of the crew will make a quick patch, they're very receptive to fan feedback. The UI of the game is gorgeous so it's a shame the menu icon is so jarring.

Is anyone letting them know or are you just assuming they'd see this topic?

 

[RadioJoNES64]

The Sonic Mania icon doesn't bother me as much because I know that it is the same icon used on the PS4 version. Isn't the Snake Pass icon only this bad on the switch version?

 

[Neiteio]

The Sonic Mania icon doesn't bother me as much because I know that it is the same icon used on the PS4 version. Isn't the Snake Pass icon only this bad on the switch version?

Not sure, but what's disappointing about the Snake Pass icon is that it used to be good — it once displayed the title and the character in front of a detailed background. But then one day they changed it to its current form, which resembles a cheap smartphone app with no identifying title. And now it looks inconsistent with the other icons. That's what makes this case especially frustrating: It was good, but then they changed it.

 

[JoeLT]

This is one of the most civil threads on the forum and there's still people coming in outraged that people aren't buying games because of an icon (something that isn't even happening), and supposedly they're the weird ones?

It looks like Nintendo even gave guidance on how to make a good icon and how not to make an icon yet quite a few devs still went with the latter.

Then Nintendo needs to enforce that.

 

[mrmickfran]

You'd like this game, it has Snake

lmao

 

[Keinning]

I'll be honest, the snake pass icon was masterfully done because even with the new subpar icons inspired by it coming out, that smug snake face is the first thing i see everytime i glance my switch games or any picture of other users around.

It just has a way of instantly bringing your attention to it.

 

[Caelus]

Is anyone letting them know or are you just assuming they'd see this topic?

Christian has responded to GAF inquiries before so I'd assume he'd be reading GAF, though this thread doesn't name Mania on the title. I'd tweet at him except I don't have a Twitter, but yeah, this is definitely worth pointing out.

 

[The ๖ۜBronx]

I'll be honest, the snake pass icon was masterfully done because even with the new subpar icons inspired by it coming out, that smug snake face is the first thing i see everytime i glance my switch games or any picture of other users around.

It just has a way of instantly bringing your attention to it.

Standing out in a crowd doesn't necessitate mastery though. Mastery would be a design that didn't compromise the design standards and usability in its capacity while still remaining vivid and appealing.

When there are established principles for something, making yourself noticeable by bucking it isn't ingenuity. It's like being impressed you noticed the guy with the red tie at a funeral.

 

[chronic_archaic]

Then Nintendo needs to enforce that.

That's like Nintendo enforcing how your game should be designed. You can't be serious. These icons are just art representing the game, you might like it or might not like it. I really don't get why this is even an issue - I've never heard people complain about this on any other system.

 

[Tookay]

I'm a little confused. Why does Sonic Mania or Snake Pass need the title in the icon? The title in plain text shows up right above the icon on every Switch game anyway.

If anything, adding a title to the icon is redundant and garish, not the other way around.

 

[Neiteio]

I'm a little confused. Why does Mania or Snake Pass need the title in the icon? It shows up right above the icon. If anything, adding a title to the icon is redundant and garish, not the other way around.

Consistency with the other icons. Nintendo's own memo to devs strongly recommends (their words, not mine) that the icons feature a key visual and the title of the game.

The few that haven't done this look tacky and cheap, like smartphone apps, which is probably what Nintendo was trying to avoid when making that advice.

If you check the OP of this thread, Snake Pass had it right originally, but then they changed the icon in a patch.

 

[WordAssassin]

I would love it if Nintendo went more strict like MS and forced the titles in the tiles. They're not necessarily gonna put me off from buying the game but god damn they look like shit to me among all the proper icons.

 

[Toxi]

Oh c'mon, you're overreacti-

EDIT 1: Thanks to True Fire for finding an image of the new home menu icon:

 

[Lazaro]

Unless already mentioned, this menu icon also appears on Xbox and Win10 under the "report a problem" settings. For some reason Xbox and Windows 10 games have multiple icons depending on where they're viewed.

 

[Keinning]

Standing out in a crowd doesn't necessitate mastery though. Mastery would be a design that didn't compromise the design standards and usability in its capacity while still remaining vivid and appealing.

When there are established principles for something, making yourself noticeable by bucking it isn't ingenuity. It's like being impressed you noticed the guy with the red tie at a funeral.

It is masterfully done when its inoffensive enough to just be an icon in bad taste, but a remarkable one. It's not utterly offensive, just ugly and tacky, but you don't hold the game hostage because of that. Olivetto once said that good advertising is the one that keeps your product in mind for the longest regardless of the opinion on it and the snake pass icon surely is doing that for me.

 

[RaySpencer]

That's like Nintendo enforcing how your game should be designed. You can't be serious. These icons are just art representing the game, you might like it or might not like it. I really don't get why this is even an issue - I've never heard people complain about this on any other system.

No, it's like Nintendo enforcing that the title of the game be on the retail box and that the spine is red.

 

[The ๖ۜBronx]

These icons are just art representing the game, you might like it or might not like it. I really don't get why this is even an issue

No, they're not art they're a design element with a purpose. Once again — just because you don't understand or acknowledge that distinction doesn't invalidate it.

If you're genuinely confused and want to understand perhaps reply to my last response I wrote to you, detailing some of the hidden importance in these things. I'd certainly rather a discussion then you just moving the talking points whenever responded to.

It is masterfully done when its inoffensive enough to just be an icon in bad taste, but a remarkable one. It's not utterly offensive, just ugly and tacky, but you don't hold the game hostage because of that. Olivetto once said that good advertising is the one that keeps your product in mind for the longest regardless of the opinion on it and the snake pass icon surely is doing that for me.

No one is doing that.

The Olivetto quote is cute but redundant in this context and almost entirely as meaningless as the famous Miyamoto quote in this day and age.

We're not talking about an advert to push a product, we're talking about an icon whose capacity is to sit with numerous other games in the space of a library. Its purpose is not to stand out among every other game (in fact the opposite) but be easily accessible should the user wish to play said game. They are achieving one at the cost of the other, which is in no way indicative of masterful design. It is very much the opposite.

 

[tolkir]

I haven't got the game but did a bit of searching and found the following, which I assume is right?

The new icon isn't exactly that. The white glow is slightly changed and the image is a little wider.

Much better compared with the previous one anyway.

 

[CharminUltra]

Kill it with ever lasting fire from hell itself.

 

[The ๖ۜBronx]

The new icon isn't exactly that. The white glow is slightly changed and the image is a little wider.

Much better compared with the previous one anyway.

Thanks for the update! Yes, much better.

As an aside I really like the GEM icon, makes me want to pick up the game just to see it. Hear it's meant to be good but between Sonic, NMS and Splatoon I really shouldn't add to the stack. Also have thought about picking up Mr.Shifty, would you recommend either of the two over the other for their relative price?

 

[D.Lo]

Ah, nice job Mr Shifty dev.

They fixed the stutter issues in the game too right? I might check it out now.

 

[BGBW]

We talk of having logos on the icon, but that Lego City Undercover is really lazy.

Especially when you consider they took the time to make subtle changes to the original Wii U's box art.

You'd think they'd just take a square crop of the cover art and slap the logo on it.

 

[NimbusD]

Yeah it's getting really annoying real quick.

Sorry de mambo guy in this thread, don't take it personally please, but y'all made the inferior choice. The other image people posted looks enticing and fun, the one it currently is doesn't actually convey anything about the game other than it's a simple retro abstract face.

 

[Bazry]

Did the Mr Shifty devs change the icon due to fan feedback, or off their own backs. Either way good on them for either listening to fans, or taking it upon themselves to see the problem and correct it

 

[stan423321]

I'm a little confused. Why does Sonic Mania or Snake Pass need the title in the icon? The title in plain text shows up right above the icon on every Switch game anyway.

If anything, adding a title to the icon is redundant and garish, not the other way around.

It only shows when you highlight it, so you need to move the cursor to it and read one at the time. Worse, long titles scroll, though that one is on Nintendo.

That's like Nintendo enforcing how your game should be designed. You can't be serious. These icons are just art representing the game, you might like it or might not like it. I really don't get why this is even an issue - I've never heard people complain about this on any other system.

Nintendo is enforcing how your game should be designed. All platform owners do. For instance, it recently came up that Sony does not allow games to kick you back to the system menu and close even when the technical possibility of doing this painlessly is there.

 

[WordAssassin]

Yeah it's getting really annoying real quick.

Sorry de mambo guy in this thread, don't take it personally please, but y'all made the inferior choice. The other image people posted looks enticing and fun, the one it currently is doesn't actually convey anything about the game other than it's a simple retro abstract face.

Same with Mr Shifty and a lot of game tiles, honestly. I mean, the new Mr Shifty is leaps and bounds better but I don't really know what the game is from that icon. But then, it's not an ad for the game, it's the tile once you've already bought it.

I wonder how things would play out if people could see the game icons in the eShop? Would it affect sales at all if people saw these ugly shit mobile app looking icons amidst all the proper high quality ones? I know we aren't meant to judge a book by it's cover but I mean, almost everyone still does and if it were in the eShop it'd explicitly be advertising the game itself.

 

[tolkir]

Thanks for the update! Yes, much better.

As an aside I really like the GEM icon, makes me want to pick up the game just to see it. Hear it's meant to be good but between Sonic, NMS and Splatoon I really shouldn't add to the stack. Also have thought about picking up Mr.Shifty, would you recommend either of the two over the other for their relative price?

I prefer GEM, it's an addictive game Resogun-style. Perfect for short plays and handheld mode. It's a must buy if you enjoy shmups.

Mr. Shifty is a light version of Hotline Miami with some new mechanics. It's fine but a little expensive.

GEM game has more replayability if you like to get best scores.

 

[Jo Shishido's Cheeks]

Ugh Sonic just kills me -_-

Can somebody get in touch? If Mr. Shifty was changed then we have a chance!

 

[Robin64]

We talk of having logos on the icon, but that Lego City Undercover is really lazy.

What's amusing is that's the second iteration of the LEGO City Undercover logo, post-patch. The first one only had a plain blue background and looked even lazier.

 

[Bazry]

As we keep getting those coming in thinking all our opinions are based of the thread title, perhaps if its allowed we could have a new thread away from the tone of the OP and instead focus on the issues we have with these icons to give it more attention and keep track of those devs who have listened to us

If someone is willing to do it, maybe have a OP with the ones we have issues with, then update them to the new one if they've listened to us

 

[Axass]

As we keep getting those coming in thinking all our opinions are based of the thread title, perhaps if its allowed we could have a new thread away from the tone of the OP and instead focus on the issues we have with these icons to give it more attention and keep track of those devs who have listened to us

If someone is willing to do it, maybe have a OP with the ones we have issues with, then update them to the new one if they've listened to us

Maybe just a title change. We're already talking about the topic broadly, if a mod could change the title to add "and other Switch games" after Snake Pass, or something along those lines.

 

[daxy]

It's great that the Mr Shifty devs adapted it! I do wonder if it costs money to have a game patched on the eShop. Maybe that's why some have expressed reluctance to do it.

 

[Bazry]

Maybe just a title change. We're already talking about the topic broadly, if a mod could change the title to add "and other Switch games" after Snake Pass, or something along those lines.

The problem with the thread title though is I don't think anyone else in here other than the OP is trying to suggest that their enjoyment of the game is somehow lowered by the game icon, but that tends to be what others come in here thinking we're talking about. I'm not myself trying to suggest that, I just have issues with the icon themselves looking bad on my dashboard and wish devs would design them to how Nintendo suggested they should with nice art and the game title

If devs look on here, they're not going to look in this thread or read beyond the OP. If the title was something like 'Bad Nintendo Switch Icon designs,' then the OP listed offenders, there might be more chance of something actually being done about it

 

[RionaaM]

It only shows when you highlight it, so you need to move the cursor to it and read one at the time. Worse, long titles scroll, though that one is on Nintendo.

Nintendo is enforcing how your game should be designed. All platform owners do. For instance, it recently came up that Sony does not allow games to kick you back to the system menu and close even when the technical possibility of doing this painlessly is there.

This is because of Undertale, right? I wish the same happened on Steam, that part was insufferable and after a couple of tries I ended up uninstalling the game. Not to mention how annoying it must have been for my Steam friends to see "RionaaM is playing Undertale" over and over.

 

[Waluigilicious]

I will pick up Mr. Shifty when it's on discount to show support!

 

[IbukiLordSA]

I cannot say that an icon for a game would ever hamper my enjoyment of the title no matter how bad the icon is.

 

[D.Lo]

The problem with the thread title though is I don't think anyone else in here other than the OP is trying to suggest that their enjoyment of the game is somehow lowered by the game icon, but that tends to be what others come in here thinking we're talking about.

Yeah, it doesn't change your enjoyment of playing the game, it changes your enjoyment of the Switch UI, since the out of place icon is annoying. And every time you play the game it bumps the ugly icon back to the top, creating that annoyance.

I deleted it after finishing it now, I guess that's essentially the digital version of burying an ugly looking book at the back of the shelf/library.

 

[Kyonashi]

Good luck, soldier.

(I hope this shows how important logos are)

I love the idea of someone who is a massive CoD fan also enjoying VOEZ.

 

[koutoru]

Even on the vita, were all the application icons are bubbles with pictures, some apps do show the name of the game while others don't.

People don't usually comment on it though since on a system level it just displays the name of the application under the bubble.

My point is I'm wondering if Nintendo would be willing to, on a system level, also display the name of the application under the icon without having to select on it.

 

[Waluigilicious]

Good news, Party Pack players!

I wonder if they will update the third games icon.

 

[Robin64]

Well done, Jackbox Games.

 

[Waluigilicious]

Well done, Jackbox Games.

Funny because I felt they could have gotten away with it (who really cares which jackbox it is when we can visually see which 5 games are included. Infact, that's arguably more important.). However they have proven that there is ALWAYS space for the logo! They basically have six logos on screen.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

*create bad icon, get attention, fix bad icon, gain positive attention*

 

[Phoenixus]

*create bad icon, get attention, fix bad icon, gain positive attention*

As long as it's fixed I'm cool with that. More so if it's a good game in the first place.

 

[tolkir]

*create bad icon, get attention, fix bad icon, gain positive attention*

People get tired to repeat same thing. This thread was dead until Sonic Mania.
It will die soon again until new major game with big head icon without logo appears, unless a great developer adds a surprise *wink* on the next patch of Sonic Mania. *wink wink*

 

[Bazry]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSw...ndo_has_guidelines_on_switch_app_icon_design/

Reddit thread using images from here