NGF KOF2k U.S. - Hmmm...

[TonK]

Who can spot the egg?

There are so many things wrong with the insert, but that's for another time.

I'm just wondering why it's like that, when NO OTHER game looks like that.

 

[arcwyvern]

The "O" in the right most "neo" does, in fact, look like a cute little eggy.

 

[aria]

The "O" in the right most "neo" does, in fact, look like a cute little eggy.

I see it, is that what it looks like flat? Did they really mess that up?

 

[Kid Panda]

It looks like the whole neo word is a little stretched high, maybe that's why he O looks egg like, but the bottom of it looks almost right.

 

[shadows]

The neo word is stretched and slightly distorted too. You can see the distortion on the outside shape of the O and on the N easily.

 

[TonK]

That's just the tip of the iceberg.

I'll have the final nail soon enough.

 

[Tacitus]

Somebody want to send me a super-hi-res scan of this?

...or maybe their copy of the insert?

 

[TonK]

I'll get it to you.

 

[TonK]

When you try and print when you're missing a font, the system tries to use the low rez preview you see on screen.

Systems never display the full version since it would slow you down viewing files and most times a preview is all one needs quality wise.

In this case the neo geo and meg counts all have a strange hex look to them that I simply can't explain.

I'm thinking ngf were sent a locked pdf file with the fonts inbedded allowing you to see a nice high rez version but you're unable to make changes.

In♥order to get the ngf box in there they would have had to dump the image into an app like photoshop, make the changes then resave and I think that is what went wrong.

When it's dumped into photoshop the fonts were lost and they took a shit when resaved.

Then comes the neo logo on the front cover, it's been scaled badly since the hex look is streched. It also makes the "O" look like an egg.

Maybe the original pdf didn't have the usual bleed so they had to scale some parts to give that extra bit for cutting so there are no white edges.
♥
The manual has the same problem but the nfg type in the box is fine so it clearly shows it's been messed with.

 

[Tacitus]

When you try and print when you're missing a font, the system tries to use the low rez preview you see on screen.

Systems never display the full version since it would slow you down viewing files and most times a preview is all one needs quality wise.

In this case the neo geo and meg counts all have a strange hex look to them that I simply can't explain.

I'm thinking ngf were sent a locked pdf file with the fonts inbedded allowing you to see a nice high rez version but you're unable to make changes.

In♥order to get the ngf box in there they would have had to dump the image into an app like photoshop, make the changes then resave and I think that is what went wrong.

When it's dumped into photoshop the fonts were lost and they took a shit when resaved.

Then comes the neo logo on the front cover, it's been scaled badly since the hex look is streched. It also makes the "O" look like an egg.

Maybe the original pdf didn't have the usual bleed so they had to scale some parts to give that extra bit for cutting so there are no white edges.
♥
The manual has the same problem but the nfg type in the box is fine so it clearly shows it's been messed with.

It's certainly plausible, but I have an inkling it may have been done differently but using the same technique. I can't tell (or give an absolute opinion) unless I see it up close.

I wish I kept my KOF 2000 Jap cart... I could directly compare.

 

[Orpheus]

I see it, is that what it looks like flat? Did they really mess that up?

Yes, it's like that flat. It has nothing to do with the insert wrapping around the case so they did indeed mess the euro logo on the front up a bit.

To be fair this is not new news, myself and some others pointed it out years ago but it never hurts to re-iterate & illustrate when this game & others are rising in price so that things are out in the open.

 

[Tacitus]

When you try and print when you're missing a font, the system tries to use the low rez preview you see on screen.

*sort* of. If this was an image based file, which it most almost certainly was, this wouldn't apply... but you're on the right track.

Systems never display the full version since it would slow you down viewing files and most times a preview is all one needs quality wise.

If this was digitally rendered/processed, either compression of the source material during scanning could account for these anomalies or your theory. I'd say... it would be MORE likely that they received a paper insert, scanned it and fiddled with it digitally. It would certainly explain those two anomalies. You'd have to go back to the technology at the time that was MOST likely available. I've seen similar things with materials that were scanned on a flatbed or corporate scanner where the scan/rescan hiccups slightly.. making a weird effect on the image after it's digitized.

In this case the neo geo and meg counts all have a strange hex look to them that I simply can't explain.

I can't see from this screen I'm on, but I can blow it up in the lab and examine

I'm thinking ngf were sent a locked pdf file with the fonts inbedded allowing you to see a nice high rez version but you're unable to make changes.

Certainly plausible.. certainly.

In♥order to get the ngf box in there they would have had to dump the image into an app like photoshop, make the changes then resave and I think that is what went wrong.

Now, I think you're getting somewhere. I just think the image was acquired differently.

When it's dumped into photoshop the fonts were lost and they took a shit when resaved.

this is actually a VERY common mistake and is a great tool for determining counterfeits.

Then comes the neo logo on the front cover, it's been scaled badly since the hex look is streched. It also makes the "O" look like an egg.

Once again, this could also be a glitch from using a scanner that feeds or pans. Common if you're going to do duplication. This can also be due to different layering (if photoshop was used) or effects applied to discontiguous areas.

Maybe the original pdf didn't have the usual bleed so they had to scale some parts to give that extra bit for cutting so there are no white edges.
♥
The manual has the same problem but the nfg type in the box is fine so it clearly shows it's been messed with.

This would lend credence to the logo being added post-design.


(I say the next part knowing that it will probably be twisted or manipulated in some manner.. or even misunderstood. Chris can certainly jump in here and have a field day with it.)

All of this *could* be explained and it still doesn't determine if they were authorized. It's more of an oddity and quality issue with the insert. They very may well have been authorized and were sent the file, they just did a poor job of transferring/manipulating/reproducing the insert.

 

[8man]

If you stretch the word NEO vertically, the O wouldn't turn egg shaped, it would still stay oval.

The "egg" shaped O was probably done on purpose. (My cart looks the same)

Easy for anyone with graphic experience to make the "egg" shape.
(convert the font to outlines and move the nodes)

--> It's an easy way for NGF to authenticate the insert.


Back then, the file was probably created in QuarkXpress (not PDF format). Quark handled fonts poorly.
Also, many people forgot to send both screen and printer fonts with the Quark app file.

Even so, missing the "NEO" font, wouldn't turn the O into an egg.

 

[Tacitus]

If you stretch the word NEO vertically, the O wouldn't turn egg shaped, it would still stay oval.

The "egg" shaped O was probably done on purpose. (My cart looks the same)

Easy for anyone with graphic experience to make the "egg" shape.
(convert the font to outlines and move the nodes)

--> It's an easy way for NGF to authenticate the insert.


Back then, the file was probably created in QuarkXpress (not PDF format). Quark handled fonts poorly.
Also, many people forgot to send both screen and printer fonts with the Quark app file.

Even so, missing the "NEO" font, wouldn't turn the O into an egg.

Great point, Quark was the defacto standard for many years (hence my comment earlier of saying look at the technology at the time...)

What I'd love to compare is the fuzziness/sharpness of the 0 in the middle of the insert compared to a confirmed SNK original JAP insert. Between that and the fine white print on the back, you could get a pretty good idea of exactly what went into the production.

Chris and Dion have produced pics of the actual offset plates used in production, but it's been a decade since I've checked out their site. I vaguely remember the pics. If I'm incorrect, feel free to set me straight.

 

[TonK]

Dion also claimed there was micro printing - its not there.

8man is right about Quark - but NGF didn't put the egg-o (lol) in there for security.

Still examining the insert - then on to the sticker and manual.

All I can say, if I paid a ton for this, I would regret it.

You'll all see why.

 

[arcwyvern]

Cannot wait. I am huge fan of smearing

 

[Tacitus]

Dion also claimed there was micro printing - its not there.

8man is right about Quark - but NGF didn't put the egg-o (lol) in there for security.

Still examining the insert - then on to the sticker and manual.

All I can say, if I paid a ton for this, I would regret it.

You'll all see why.

Send me the super hi-res scan.

 

[NeoGeoNinja]

If you stretch the word NEO vertically, the O wouldn't turn egg shaped, it would still stay oval.

The "egg" shaped O was probably done on purpose. (My cart looks the same)

Easy for anyone with graphic experience to make the "egg" shape.
(convert the font to outlines and move the nodes)

--> It's an easy way for NGF to authenticate the insert.


Back then, the file was probably created in QuarkXpress (not PDF format). Quark handled fonts poorly.
Also, many people forgot to send both screen and printer fonts with the Quark app file.

Even so, missing the "NEO" font, wouldn't turn the O into an egg.

QUARK? DO YOU THINK SO?...
I couldn't see anyone interfering or editing much in Quark - especially the likes of Quark 4/4.1 from back in the day (OS9 etc). Also, I don't *think* you could outline fonts in 4/4.1 either, but I could be wrong. I'm guessing Illustrator would have been the perpetrator here (handling an eps logo perhaps?) but based on what you guys have said about the logo being fuzzy, sounds like it could have been done in PS instead! What 8man is saying about the anchor point manipulation on the 0 sounds pretty plausible though through Ai font 'outlining'. However, if this has happened, then and issues involving font handling go out the window, as it becomes an object thereafter. Perhaps more of a f*ck up than intentional though. Not everyone who handles design tools have the sharpest eye. I see stupid sh*t a lot.

Curious to learn what else is wrong with this clearly doctored insert (beyond '0' syndrome)

 

[Razoola]

The problem is not just with the 'O' like somone already said, just look at the 'N' and the 'E', esp the top left of the 'N'. To me the 'N' has been stretched and then purposely redrawn to hide the stretch but done badly. Just look at the diagonal line of it, its thicker at the top, thats done to keep that upper edge of the diagonal line straight.

 

[Comrade Porn King Mikhail]

This is where my original beef with Dion began and why I did my original report as well. Examining under a magnifying glass there was clear evidence that the paperwork for this cart was NOT printed at the same facility in Japan as the other immediate releases (KOF2K JPN, MS3 JPN, Garou MOTW JPN/US). SNK didn't print it, Dion did. He may have had the legal right to release this game, but modifying the original "as intended" SNK files on his own terms taints this release forever.

 

[dan3skate]

The problem is not just with the 'O' like somone already said, just look at the 'N' and the 'E', esp the top left of the 'N'. To me the 'N' has been stretched and then purposely redrawn to hide the stretch but done badly. Just look at the diagonal line of it, its thicker at the top, thats done to keep that upper edge of the diagonal line straight.

If they did have 100% full legal right to release KOF 2000 in the US it is truly unbelievable to me that someone would take what they are given and edit it afterwards...(and poorly edit it at that, as quoted above) Then have the audacity to call it the rarest and most sought after neo geo release.. Under these conditions, I myself could create a start up company and recreate what neo geo freak did to a T.. Tampering with art files alone will cost the only only thing they had going for their legitimacy and authenticity as an SNK official release.. I take it that is what Tonk is trying to get at here..


Oh and also, As a newer member here I would like to take the opportunity to thank Shawn for all of the beautiful releases he took part in. I recently added Rage of the Dragons, KOF 2003 and Matrimelee to my collection and couldn't be happier.. (oh and big thanks to TurboCro and o.yashiro for the hook up!)