Okami Watermark Fiasco - Is IGN Involved?
For many hardcore gamers on the Wii, this past Tuesday marked the starting of a grand adventure in Okami, one of the most anticipated games to hit the Wii so far this year. With an updated control screen, minor graphical improvements, and new widescreen support, the Wii looked to have the definitive version of the adventure game.
Yet suddenly something is up. No, not the slightly problematic control scheme, or the questionable graphics which have both been receiving minor flack from a handful of critics. No, the big fiasco has to do with the picture right on the cover of the box - plain and clear as night and day (you may need to adjust your monitor screen to see it more clearly).
(Click to enlarge)
See that little watermark right there? That’s the watermark used to mark images as exclusive to IGN, one of the largest hubs for gamers across the Internet. How could such a blatant and obviously problematic thing have taken place? It’s not sure right now, but according to sleuths on NeoGAF, the image actually wasn’t watermarked in pictures prior to release. Here is the original art that was featured on the Capcom website and other media outlets before the game hit stores. Notice how it’s flipped, and how you can’t really make out any watermarks in the same area.
Either someone intentionally stuck the IGN watermark there in hopes of subliminal advertising, or there was a major snafu at the publishing plant. Either way, the problems are obvious:
(Courtesy of Double_A on the IGN Boards)
That’s not supposed to be there. And it’s even more obvious on the actual boxart you’ll see in stores. For shame, Capcom. What’s the real story here? Could it be a disgruntled employee? A lazy one? The same one behind Mr. Gay? Only time, and Capcom, will tell.
Stay tuned at My Wii News as we figure out if there is something special going on with this cover, and what future steps may be taken by Capcom.
Lead Story | 
Ilchymis | April 19, 2008
By Antony C., April 19, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
I definitely see nothing.
And even if it was there…what would be wrong….
By Ilchymis, April 19, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
I could hardly see the image myself until I tilted my laptop screen back and forth to see it in different lighting. It’s way more obvious at lower light levels, and is very clear on the covers (these pictures don’t quite do it justice).
What’s wrong is that Capcom either authorized someone to do such a shoddy job of doing the cover that they didn’t even both with using source material, just images off the internet. And poorly concealed ones at that. Or, in the more conspiracy theory-esque scenario, maybe someone was paid to put it in there for subliminal reasons. Either way, it sure as heck shouldn’t be there.
By Canucklehead, April 19, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
I’m sorry, is this some sort of ‘DaVinci code’ thing or am I just drunk. Well, clearly the second part is confirmed but .. well, maybe I’ll try again in the morning …
ps - Cheers!
By Timothy W. Young, April 20, 2008 @ 12:00 am
Interesting. I couldn’t see it until I saw the third picture that shows the logo flashing. Then, after I knew what I was looking for, I could see it in the original.
Definitely odd.
By Lukatoll, April 20, 2008 @ 12:13 am
I can only see it on the 1st picture… weird.
By Canucklehead, April 21, 2008 @ 7:24 am
Yep, once I sobered up I can now sorta make it out in the third.
By Canucklehead, April 22, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Okay - I saw it live at the store tonight and it was clear as day! I even showed it to the clerk at EB games. He was amazed, well, once he was able to get over my awesomeness. Love to hear the story behind how it got there …
By Ilchymis, April 22, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
Thank you, Canucklehead! I just got my copy in the mail today (Newegg for the fail), and the watermark is as clear as the title of the game.
Downright embarassing! This, on top of the sticker advertisement on the front, and the PERMANENT score advertisement on the actual image makes for a horrific cover.
By Youtube video, July 14, 2008 @ 6:54 am
Well, to tell you the truth it is not easy to usderstand for everyone. As a spanoch speacking person i need to read it twice before i said what i think. I will post back soon.