First impressions are important, and game companies want to ensure gamers are excited when a new title is revealed. However, sometimes they go beyond simply putting their best foot forward, releasing doctored screens to generate enthusiasm. It’s an ethically dubious process, since we don’t know how far from the finished product these images are until we actually play it. With this list, we’re highlighting games that had flagrantly touched-up screens that created a gap between expectation and reality.
Of course, game development is a process, and elements will evolve and change over time. Those modifications are normal; the problem comes with deliberately misrepresenting the experience along the path to release. These misleading screens are often called “bullshots” (a term popularized by Penny Arcade in 2005), and that’s what we’re looking at here. The too-good-to-be-true shots are on the top, and their less impressive counterparts are below them.
10. Assassin’s Creed
This whole series has a long history with images that bend the truth of the gameplay. In reality, that sword would be going through the guard’s shoulder because the object collision is messed up, not because he got stabbed.
9. NBA Live 08
If you’re going to use Photoshop to touch up your screenshots, be sure you finish using it before the image is released. The half-erased dude on the far left here is just a dead giveaway that this screen isn’t authentic.
8. Dark Souls II
Early demonstrations of Dark Souls II showcased an impressive lighting model. Not only were these effects missing from the console versions, but they didn’t make it to the PC iteration, either.
7. Watch Dogs
As a new IP hitting the PS4 and Xbox One, hopes for Watch Dogs were high. Then came the news that it would be a cross-generation title, and several of the beautiful visual touches found in screens and demos weren’t there when the game shipped.
6. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Darth Vader's secret apprentice could do all sorts of crazy things, like pull a Star Destroyer out of the sky. But can he make his game look as good as the initial batch of screens? Strong is he with the Force...but not that strong.
Next: More screens that were too good to be true…including yet another Ubisoft game.
5. Red Steel
Red Steel was the gaming world’s first look at a game for the Wii (still called the “Nintendo Revolution” at that point), so the images over-sold the capabilities of the console in addition to the specific game.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Maybe Nintendo was trying to distract people from the fact that the motion controls weren’t working very well, but the screens shown alongside the unveiling of Skyward Sword looked amazing. The real thing? Less so.
3. Aliens: Colonial Marines
The visuals are just one way this title from Gearbox went wrong, but Colonial Marines has the dubious distinction of actually being hit with an unsuccessful lawsuit due to the differences between the promotional shots and actual graphics.
2. Gears of War
These are good looking games, but they don’t look this good. Maybe if that rumored Gears of War Remastered version ever comes out of hiding, we’ll get something closer to what the original screens indicated.
1. Madden NFL 06
This is the game that prompted widespread use of the term “bullshot.” EA proudly unveiled its vision for the next generation of football with a “target render” trailer…but didn’t deliver when the time came. Not only that, but the 360 and PS3 versions also came up short on features compared to the last generation.
Do you remember any egregious examples of this? Share your stories in the comments below!