In Us, a co-op horror game by Engawa Games, faced an unusual spotlight thanks to its unintended logo blunder. This independent Japanese studio, renowned for the chaotic fun of Parking Together!, introduced a new survival horror experience. This is a case in point of how simple typographic choices can have unintended consequences. The premise involves players working as exorcists in a demon-plagued village, identifying and ousting disguised monstrosities in a blend of social deduction and atmospheric tension.
Engawa Games crafted a beautifully eerie visual for the game. A brooding scene features a stained-glass backdrop, a vigil of candlelight, and a gun-toting exorcist crow in a fedora. It’s a testament to their creativity and sets the stage ideally for this multiplayer adventure. Yet, the release went viral for the wrong reason. As DualShockers spotted, the title’s stylized font made “In Us” appear unfortunately reminiscent of another word altogether: “Anus.”
This typographic slip reminds us of how design often misfires. Designers frequently become so engrossed in the micro-elements of their work, like a logo’s balance of shapes, that they lose sight of the bigger picture. Such intricate focus can overshadow the initial readability when viewed quickly or at a smaller scale.
This typographic slip reminds us of how design often misfires. Simon Weckert’s bold shirt combatting AI surveillance shows creativity’s role in tackling design challenges.
The Psychology of Overlooking the Obvious: How Simple Typographic Choices Matter
Interestingly, this phenomenon aligns with the “Invisible Gorilla” experiment by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons. In this study, viewers focused on counting basketball passes often failed to spot a person in a gorilla suit. It’s a powerful reminder that intense focus can inadvertently cause us to overlook glaring details.
The same oversight is familiar in publishing. As a seasoned magazine editor, missing glaring typos wasn’t unheard of, even after designs passed through multiple approvals. Thankfully, none were as potentially embarrassing as what Engawa Games encountered.
For those critiquing Engawa Games’ misstep, remember, a similar blunder might just be around the corner for you. Their situation is a cautionary tale of the unexpected pitfalls in design and storytelling. Next time you craft or review a logo, make sure to take a step back and see it with fresh eyes. And always, watch out for that metaphorical gorilla. How simple typographic elements can make all the difference in the world.
For those critiquing Engawa Games’ misstep, remember, a similar blunder might just be around the corner for you. Japan’s pixel bandages transform wounds and highlight unique design advancements worth checking.
Tom May is an award-winning journalist focusing on art, design, photography, and technology. He authored The 50 Greatest Designers and Great TED Talks: Creativity. Previously, Tom was an editor at various prestigious design publications.
Source: creativebloq.com
Frequently asked questions
What caused the viral attention for In Us?
The viral attention was due to the game’s title’s stylized font, which made ‘In Us’ appear unfortunately reminiscent of another word: ‘Anus.’
What is the premise of the game In Us?
The premise involves players working as exorcists in a demon-plagued village, identifying and ousting disguised monstrosities in a blend of social deduction and atmospheric tension.
What does the article compare the typo oversight to?
The article compares the typo oversight to the ‘Invisible Gorilla’ experiment, where intense focus on certain details causes people to overlook glaring details, like a person in a gorilla suit.