I`ve noticed something about US covers on games. They always change the picture from the original cover when the origin of the game is from JP or EU. For example Resident Evil 4 for Gamecube. In JP the cover had a picture of a forest and the "Biohazard 4" letters, but in US they had to put the main character on the cover. Same with Final Fantasy games. In JP its only the letters, but in US they had to have a picture of the main characters. Doesnt a game appeal to the US gaming crowd with just letters and the back of the cover? Is it more appealing with a big muscle jock on the cover?

its about action. cant put a background in an action pose.

The covers are like that because of the tastes of different countries. Japan prefer more artistic box arts while Americans prefer boxarts with the main characters on it. ICO is a very good example of this.

Cause it looks plain and you can't tell what's it about. You could buy this game and it turn out to be some kiddy shovelware with rabbits jumping hopping without a purpose .

US ICO cover = worst ever

Just in case you didn`t know, theres a back cover too. And if you think RE4 JP front cover looks like a kiddy "showelware", you have to use yer glasses. So what you`re actually saying is putting a muscle jock on the cover makes a game adult?

Different cultures have different tastes, it's all about appealing to the most and the right people.

Yes, I agree, but are US games meant for younger audience? Becuase I think when theres a muscle jock on the cover the game is more apppealing to younger gamers.

Nah, I don't think it comes even close

I'm not a marketing person so I don't know the full reasoning behind the decisions, I just know it's due to culture differences.  I know why certain things are used in certain advertisements, but I don't know why Americans favor one thing and Japanese favors the other.