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VGG Image Policy

This is the Video Game Geek (VGG) image guide. This manual covers VideoGameGeek's policy on how to enter images into the system. If you have any doubt or questions about the process that is not covered here, please contact a VGG Admin or ask in the Help and How-To forum.

Design Goals

The idea behind images in the VGG database is to allow users to pleasantly navigate the site and clearly identify games. The rules and size limitations for images are intended to deal with two issues:

1.) The first is that the game galleries need to be useful, easy to navigate and not cluttered with many duplicate or similar images. To combat this we have a screenshot limit of 24 images per game/version.

2.) The second is to respect the rights of the intellectual property (IP) rights holders. To this end we require that you submit only images that you captured/scanned yourself or for which you have been granted permission by the copyright holder. The size limitation on box images is also in place to stop VGG from becoming a repository of high resolution images that could be used in the manufacture of counterfeit games.

Related Guides:

Free Image Editing Tools:

General Image Rules

These rules focus primarily on the images, their source and quality regardless of which item or gallery the image was submitted too.

Note:

  • All screenshots should be left intact and uncropped. The purpose of the screenshots gallery is to give an accurate representation of the game.
  • If your image is declined, seek out the reason and correct the problem. Do not try to upload it again in the hope that it will get through geekmod. See the Why Was My Image Submission Rejected page for help.
  • If you feel an image was erroneously declined you may discuss it in the Image Geekmodders Thread.

What is Accepted: mb

What is Accepted
Your Own Scans/Screenshots
 You must own the image in some way (scan of a box cover/screenshot you took) or have permission from the copyright holder to use it for this purpose. See our guide on how to take your own screenshots if you need help.
Your Own Artwork
 If the image is an original piece of artwork, you must have written permission of the intellectual property rights holder to upload it.
Press Kit Images [1]
 A Press Kit is a pre-packaged set of images or other media released to the press and public for the purposes of promoting a product. Add "from press kit" to the caption and include a link to the press kit in the notes. It is not an single image nabbed off the web.
Images Must Have Captions
 Images should have a detailed and informative caption. Images that lack captions will be declined.
Images Must Be Clean
 Images must be cropped and correctly orientated and without glare.
Images Must Meet The Size Requirement
 Images must meet the size guidelines. Please remember that the allowed image size varies based on the item.
Images Must Be In RGB
 Images must be in normal RGB format. CMYK isn't universally supported by all browsers yet and will be blocked by the upload system.

[1] A Press Kit is a pre-packaged set of images or other media released to the press and public for the purposes of promoting their product. In the past a box or package containing demos, art, and promotional items would get sent out to magazines and gaming press. For an example see: Ico Press Kit. Now-a-days most official websites will have a link or section on their site labeled "Press Kit". Any single image or promotional piece taken from a website is not a press kit. Anything lifted from a "press release" is not a press kit. See "what is not accepted" below.

What is NOT Accepted: mb

What is NOT Accepted
Images From Other Websites
 Never nab anything off the web, unless you have explicit written permission from the copyright holder.
Watermarked Images
 Images defaced with the copyright holders mark.
Animated Images
 They slow down the site for some people using certain devices in some areas.
Obscene Content
 Blood, gore and nudity are par for the course for many adult games. However try to keep the really bad AO/R-rated stuff off the site until we can implement an adult filter.
Personal Gallery Linking
 You are not allowed to link images from a personal gallery to a database entry.
Wallpaper
 These images should be downloaded straight from the website by the people who want to use them. There is no reason for them to be on VGG.

* Since not all rules can be covered adequately, we reserve the right to judge any image to not be in the best interest of the VGG and remove it. This is a very rare situation and we hope it never happens.

Image Galleries

When you upload an image you will be asked to select a "gallery" for it. What options are available will depend on the item. Images erroneously submitted to the wrong gallery are not that uncommon. The "gallery glossary" below was created to help give clarification to the galleries and lessen the confusion.

Gallery Glossary:

  • Covers and Media: Physical content such as the game box, manual, and media (disc, cartridge, etc.).
  • Screenshots: Any images captured of the in-game content such as game-play. NOTE: Screenshots CAN be representative images.
  • People: Cos-play or photographs of people featuring the associated item.
  • Creative: User created images, screenshot collages, official advertisements or articles, and merchandise associated with the item.
  • Official Artwork: Official images created by the publisher or developer.
  • Logo: The title text or image associated with the item.

If a specific "gallery" does not appear as an option on an item, then it means that particular type of image is not allowed for that item.

Policy for Video Games

These guidelines apply to both game entries and their release versions.

Guidelines for the Covers and Media Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
BOX:
  • 1 (ONE) box cover shot per release.
  • 1 (ONE) box back shot per release.
    • For front and back covers we prefer actual scans to pictures taken with a camera.
    • If a photo (i.e. non scan) must be used, it should be no larger than the scanned resolution limits below.
Front
Back
MEDIA BUNDLE:
  • 1 (ONE) physical media\bundle shot per release (should contain all disks, tapes, etc. that come with the game in one image).
Disc and Manual
MEDIA ITEM:
  • 1 (ONE) shot per release unique item, meaning: a poster, a collectible, etc. NOT 1 pic per DVD/ CD-ROM.
    • SPECIAL EXCEPTION - RELEASES ISSUED 20 YEARS AGO OR MORE FOR WHICH YOU DO NOT HAVE THE BOX: Alternative Pictorial/Logo Media Item - In lieu of an unavailable Front Cover scan, you may submit 1 (ONE) front shot of ONE media item that was included with the release (i.e. the front of the manual, CD, diskette, cassette or cartridge) that is illustrated with either a picture label or stylized game logo. No "plain text only" media items.
Collectible
Scan Resolution Limits
 Example(s)

  • Maximum scanned image size: 1400 x 1900 (reverse for horizontally formatted items).*
  • Minimum scanned image size: 400 x 700 (reverse for horizontally formatted items).*
    • Images outside of these size guidelines should not be submitted\approved.

Captions
 Example(s)

  • All captions for Cover & Media Images must include the country/region and platform for that box; the release nickname is best.
    • Images without captions will be declined.
 N/A

(*) The size restriction is in place to prevent VGG becoming a repository of high resolution images that could be used for the creation of counterfeit versions of games.

Guidelines for the Screenshots Gallery

Screenshots Allowed
 Example(s)
GAMEPLAY: [1]
  • 1 (ONE) screenshot for each aspect of game-play or type of screen it has.
    • Title Screen, Cut Scene (a.k.a. CGI Screen), Dialog Screen, etc.
    • For combat: One screenshot for each aspect of play, such as stealth, magic or melee is fine.
    • For segmented games: Shots from start, middle and end chapters; not 12 shots from chapter 1.
Title
Stealth
BUGS: [2]
  • (∞) Bugs and glitches images. There is no limit on these and they do not count toward the 24 image gallery limit.**
Funny Glitch
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Screenshot Gallery.

Captions
 Example(s)

  • All captions for Screenshots must include the platform and a description of what is happening. "Gameplay" or "Combat" is not enough; be descriptive and detailed.
    • Images without captions will be declined.
 N/A
Image Quality
 Example(s)

  • For console or handheld titles, a good quality photograph from the TV or handheld screen is allowed as a screenshot, but it must meet all the other standards for submission.
    • You can upscale a screenshot of an older console to show how it would more accurately appear on the TV, give the resolution.
Camera Pic
Gallery Limitation: 24 Images
 Example(s)

  • The screenshot gallery should have no more than 24 screenshots.
    • Not every game needs 24 screenshots to give a good, overall impression of the game. You should not feel compelled to max out the gallery limit if the game doesn't require it.
 24

[1] Beauty and scenery shots are NOT allowed. These belong in your personal gallery. Admins can move images to the correct place.

[2] In addition to showing off the best side of a game, it is also important to show some of it's less savory moments. Consumers looking to buy the game should be aware of it's pitfalls.

Guidelines for the People Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
PHOTOS:*
  • (∞) Photos of people that are related to this game.
    • Cosplays are welcome, but should NOT be uploaded to this gallery. Instead they should be submitted to the relevant Character gallery.
 N/A
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the People Gallery.

Guidelines for the Creative Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
MIXED MEDIA:*
  • (∞) Artistic or creative images that apply to this video game.
    • Specific products, fan art, image collages, advertisements, etc.
Fake Game Covers
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Creative Gallery.

Policy for Series and Franchises

Guidelines for the Logo Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
LOGO:*
  • 1 (ONE) image for each version of the logo.
    • The logo should have a transparent background, but this is not mandatory.
Logo with transparent background
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Series/Franchise Gallery.

Guidelines for the People Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
PEOPLE:*
  • (∞) Photos of people that are related to this game.
 N/A
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the People Gallery.

Guidelines for the Creative Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
CREATIVE ITEMS:*
  • (∞) Artistic or creative images that apply to this item.
    • This includes specific products, image collages, advertisements, etc.
 N/A
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Creative Gallery.

Policy for Characters

These guidelines apply to both character entries and their release versions.

Guidelines for the Screenshots Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
IN-GAME:*
  • 1 (ONE) screenshot of the character in play for each game they appear in.
Character in-game
PORTRAIT:*
  • 1 (ONE) screenshot of the in game character portrait or icon.
Character portrait
CGI:*
  • 1 (ONE) screenshot of the CGI rendition of the character for each game they appear in.
    • If a character version has more than one color scheme or a different set of clothes, use only the default one.
 N/A
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Screenshot Gallery.

Guidelines for the Official Artwork Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
ORIGINAL ARTWORK:*
  • 1 (ONE) scan of original artwork for each source (a manual is considered one source).
    • You may only upload to this gallery, images in which the character is the sole focus of the image.
Character artwork
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

    • Maximum scanned image size: 1400 x 1900 (reverse for horizontally formatted items).*
    • Minimum scanned image size: 400 x 700 (reverse for horizontally formatted items).*

Guidelines for the People Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
PEOPLE:*
  • (∞) Photos of people that are related to this game.
 N/A
COSPLAY:*
  • (∞) Photos of Cosplays of the character. Make sure you have written permission of the cosplayer to submit them.
 N/A
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the People Gallery.

Guidelines for the Creative Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
CREATIVE ITEMS:*
  • (∞) Artistic or creative images that apply to this item.
    • Fan art, image collages, advertisements, etc.
    • You must own the rights to this image, or have written permission of the rights holder to upload.
    • If you have written permission, copy it on the Note field.
 N/A
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Creative Gallery.

Policy for Hardware and Platforms

These guidelines apply to both hardware/platform entries and their release versions.

Guidelines for the Logo (& Product) Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
BOX:*
  • 1 (ONE) shot or scan of the front of the box it came in.
  • 1 (ONE) shot or scan of the back of the box it came in.
Front
Back
MEDIA IMAGE:*
  • 1 (ONE) overall shot of the hardware.

LOGO:*
  • 1 (ONE) scan of the logo, if it exists.
Hardware logo
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Logo Gallery.
    • As of October 10, 2016. The image size restrictions have been removed for Hardware and Platform entries.

Guidelines for the Creative Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
CREATIVE ITEMS:*
  • (∞) Artistic or creative images that apply to this item.
    • Image collages, advertisements, etc.
    • You must own the rights to this image, or have written permission of the rights holder to upload.
    • If you have written permission, copy it on the Note field.
 N/A
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Creative Gallery.

Policy for Companies

These guidelines apply to both manufacturer, publisher and developer entries and their release versions.

Guidelines for the Logo Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
LOGO:*
  • 1 (ONE) image for each version of the logo.
    • If possible the background should be transparent.
    • All the logos should come from materials you own; such as scans of boxes, manuals, a screenshot from the official company website, etc.
Logo with transparent background
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Logo Gallery.

Guidelines for the People Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
PEOPLE:*
  • (∞) Photos of members of the company.
 N/A
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the People Gallery.

Guidelines for the Creative Gallery

Images Allowed
 Example(s)
COMPANY:*
  • (∞) Images that apply to the company as a whole.
    • Advertisements, headquarters building, etc.
Magazine ad
Size Limitations
 Example(s)

  • There are no size limits for the Creative Gallery.

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