Worms 2 DVD Covers: US and UK covers included!

[Squirminator2k]

As my [Worms Armageddon covers (http://forum.team17.co.uk/showthread.php?t=34308)] has been well-received (by the patrons of #worms, at least), I decided to do a DVD cover for Worms 2. As it came out very nearly a decade ago, back in a time when PC games came in jewel-cases contained within large cardboard boxes. A lot can happen in a decade - those boxes can become bent or squashed, the jewel-cases can lose the little fiddly bits which hold the CD in the middle. This leaves you having to put the disc in something else. Something mundane.

Well fear not, for I shall assist ye!

Presenting the Worms 2 DVD cover insert!

After some requests, I decided to do the multiple publisher variants. You happy now?

Instructions for use
Note: There is probably an easier way of doing this. However, this method uses Microsoft Word which pretty much everyone in the Universe owns. If someone wishes to post a Photoshop/Paint Shop Pro tutorial, that would be a wise decision.

I have put the instructions here first, before the cover, so that people know what they're doing. I know what people can be like sometimes - I am people!


Open Microsoft Word, and click on File > Page Setup....
Set the page to Portrait, then click OK.
Open the relevant cover in your web browser. Right-click and select Copy Image (this may vary depending on your browser).
Go back into Microsoft Word and paste (Ctrl+V) the cover onto the page. It's a big file so depending on the capabilities of your computer, there may be a delay during which Word will become unresponsive. Wait, and the image will eventually appear.
Right-click the image and select Format Picture....
Click on the Size tab. Under Size and Rotate, enter a height of 7.1875" and a width of 10.75". In order for this to work you may find you have to untick the Lock aspect ratio.
Click on the Layout tab, and under Wrapping style choose any of the available options that isn't "In Line With Text". It doesn't matter which you choose.
On the same tab, under Horizontal alignment, click Center. Click OK when done.
You may find you'll need to manually reposition the cover on the page. Single-click the image with the left mouse button, then move the image around using the arrow keys ensuring that the entire image fits on the page.
Go to File > Print Preview. If it looks good, go to File > Print (DON'T just click the Print button on the toolbar, as we're not done yet!!).
The Print options should appear. Next to the dropdown menu displaying your printer, click on the Properties tab. Now the settings here differ depending on the manufacturer of your printer, but you want to choose the best available quality. If you have Glossy Photo Paper, put that in your printer and select the necessary settings on this screen too. Click OK when done.
Click Print. Duh.
Once the print is complete, leave it to dry for about five minutes, then carefully cut around the edge with a pair of scissors. If you're a youngster you may want to ask for the aid of an older relative, or perhaps a stranger! (Note: Do not ask for help from a stranger.)
Find an standard empty DVD case. If you don't have any, they can be bought in packs of at least five from most computer stores. Slot the cover in the case, then put your WA disc in it.
Congratulations! You've successfully wasted ten to fifteen minutes of your precious life giving your game a better-looking home than the one you live in!


Covers

UK/European Version
http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-uk-preview.jpg
[Team17 Logo (http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-uk.png)] - 8.45 MB
[Team17 + Green Pepper Logo (http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-uk-greenpepper.png)] - 8.45 MB
[Team17 + Hasbro Logo (http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-uk-hasbro.png)] - 8.45 MB
[Team17 + Microprose Logo (http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-uk-microprose.png)] - 8.45 MB
[Team17 + Sold Out Logo (http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-uk-soldout.png)] - 8.45 MB

US Version
http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-us-preview.jpg
[Team17 Logo (http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-us.png)] -7.91 MB
[Team17 + Hasbro Logo (http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-us-hasbro.png)] -7.91 MB
[Team17 + Microprose Logo (http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/w2-us-microprose.png)] -7.92 MB

The finished article
http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/inuse-1.jpg

http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/inuse-2.jpg

http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/inuse-3.jpg

FAQ

Is the front cover a scan?
Yes, it's a scan of the Sold Out cover, with the Team17 logo rather slap-dashedly Photoshopped out.

Is the back cover a scan?
Nope. It's been put together entirely from scratch. The blurb is based on the Sold-Out release of Worms 2, which more or less matches the blurb on the back of the UK PC release. The screenshots were taken especially. The background is a tweaked version of [this stock image (http://scanned-stock.deviantart.com/art/scanned-stock-old-paper-19780340)] on DeviantArt. The layout is loosely based on the back of the French release of W2.

Are you going to do other Worms games?
Update on Dec 30th: I've just done one for [Worms World Party (http://forum.team17.co.uk/showthread.php?t=35216)], actually. I may do more in the future.

If you have any other questions about these covers, you are welcome to leave a post on this thread, or alternatively you can PM or email me. My email address is squirminator2k [at] dream17 [dot] co [dot] uk.

[Muzer]

Are you gonna make a SOS version?

[Squirminator2k]

I decided not to bother making publisher-specific covers this time 'round, however if you want it badly enough I suppose I could throw one together...

[bonz]

I decided not to bother making publisher-specific covers this time 'round, however if you want it badly enough I suppose I could throw one together...
I join in then and request a greenpepper version.

[Squirminator2k]

I suppose I'll just put a set together when I get home, then.

I'm probably going to do a WWP cover at some point, which will probably be a bit trickier unless I just do a straight scan of the cover for the UK version (which was, you may recall, released in DVD packaging as most games are in the UK). I'm strongly considering doing a set of Ubisoft covers for all three, with spines that line up to show a "Worms battle Pack" or "Worms Triple Pack" logo.

Any thoughts concerning that idea?

[Chip]

Oh, that top picture, is that the camera recorder mini cutscene?

I miss those movies - I sold off my Worms 2 a few months after I got worms Armageddon but the one thing I still whish I had were those old great movies.
I wounder if Deadcode and Cyborshadow could bring them into the WA beta patches some how, something like an optional download package?

My favorite one is the Pirate one where they keep pulling out bigger weapons untill one guy calls up a giant hammer and squashes the other worm, thats great :D

[Squirminator2k]

It is indeed the cutscene. Interesting sidenote: the PSone and Dreamcast versions of WA feature the W2 cutscenes, and the Dreamcast/PSone versions of WWP even feature extra cutscenes, one of which was remade for Worms Open Warfare.

[Squirminator2k]

There, the multiple publisher versions are done.

[bonz]

the Dreamcast/PSone versions of WWP even feature extra cutscenes
Cut you digitalise them?

[Squirminator2k]

I have the PSone version of the game, which will undoubtedly be of a lower quality than the DC version. I could have a poke around on the disc.

[Muzer]

I have the DC version, though I never noticed any cutscenes. Are they in the missions or something?

[Squirminator2k]

No, just leave your controller alone on the WWP logo "Press Start" screen.

[bonz]

Screen capture please, Muzer!

[Squirminator2k]

Ooh, that's a good idea. When I get home I'll take some snaps of the videos. Just make sure to remind me!

[Muzer]

OK.

Can PCs read GD-ROMs? Or will I have to use an emulator or something? Is the video file likely to be in a well known format?

EDIT: I've tried putting the GD ROM in a DVD drive and exploring it, and I only get 3 text files, 2 of which have nothing in, ABSTRACT.TXT (nothing), BIBLIOGR.TXT (also nothing), and COPYRIGH.TXT which has the following in:
Copyright (C) Team17 Software Ltd. 2001

Methinks it's some sort of copy protection :(

Any way to get around this?

EDIT: Same happens in the CD/RW drive :(

Would I have to get a cable to the PC or something, and rip the video via a screen recorder?

[Squirminator2k]

I have the PSone version which is a standard CD-ROM disc. If I can't find the video files then I do have a Capture Card as well as other means of at the very least getting a screenshot of some sort.

[Muzer]

If only sega didn't use GD-ROMs!

But yeah, I don't have even have a SCART-PC cable, let alone a capture card, so yeah, it'll be best to use the PS1 version :(.

EDIT: Do you think it would be a good thing to invest in? I've been thinking about it for a while...
Unless there's some cheap scart/RF/AV/Whatever-->USB connecter with matching software I can buy...

[Squirminator2k]

My PC came with a TV Tuner card, which I currently have my GameCube hooked up to.

[Muzer]

Oh yeah, I've just remembered, I have a new PC that I don't use much because it's my dad's with a TV tuner in. Thanks for reminding me! I'll do it now or ASAP! (My dad's away ATM so he won't mind)

EDIT: Hmm, it's not great quality (it's a bit cloudy), but the resolution is good, although it jumps a few times. Dunno how it would perform when coupled with a screen recorder. It's also very lagged behind the DC - to the point where sound and picture will contimue 10 seconds after I turn the DC off, though it always stays in synch. It'll do.

[bonz]

Oh yeah, I've just remembered, I have a new PC that I don't use much because it's my dad's with a TV tuner in. Thanks for reminding me! I'll do it now or ASAP! (My dad's away ATM so he won't mind)

EDIT: Hmm, it's not great quality (it's a bit cloudy), but the resolution is good, although it jumps a few times. Dunno how it would perform when coupled with a screen recorder. It's also very lagged behind the DC - to the point where sound and picture will contimue 10 seconds after I turn the DC off, though it always stays in synch. It'll do.
Great to hear! :D
I think this is one of the few last Worms secrets.

The others are the Worms cinema adverts, Andy D.'s final WDC version and the unused laser & SOAR weapon sprites.

[Plasma]

The others are the Worms cinema adverts, Andy D.'s final WDC version and the unused laser & SOAR weapon sprites.
Care to tell us about it?
And what does SOAR stand for again?

[Muzer]

Hmm... My dad came back. Will have to do it tomorrow. Also, I can't get ZD Soft Screen Recorder working. Will try FRAPS later.

[Squirminator2k]

The others are the Worms cinema adverts...

One of these is included on the Worms: Reinforcements disc in the FMV folder.

[bonz]

And what does SOAR stand for again?
Sheep-On-A-Rope
One of these is included on the Worms: Reinforcements disc in the FMV folder.
Are you talking about the ping-pong FMW that was also used in W2, only without the "coming in 1997" in the end?

[Squirminator2k]

Are you talking about the ping-pong FMW that was also used in W2, only without the "coming in 1997" in the end?

Nope, that's included in Worms United. There's an file on the disc for Worms: Reinforcements called "CINEMA.AVI" (or something to that effect, it's been a while since I last had access to the disc) which, when opened using PLAY.EXE, shwos an ad in a school assembly where a headmaster calls a pupil to the front for being rowdy. The pupil then turns into a 1st-gen style Worm and proceeds to blow the headmaster up.

[franpa]

GD-ROMS? if thats the gamecube disc format then no you cant read it. the whole disc is encrypted and you (i think) need a speacial device to read it on a PC.

[Squirminator2k]

WWP wasn't released on the GameCube. GD-ROMs are Dreamcast discs.

[Muzer]

Good news, I've finished recording. Bad news, I used the demo version of fraps which limits recording time to 30, so I have to be quick with my pressing F9, and some of the movies have 1 second of footage lost because of this. S2K, which recording program do you use? Do you know of any free ones, or ones with a *x days* trial rather than *x seconds of recording*? If you use the registered version of fraps, please PM me. Also, I don't have a host, and it'd be very nice if you could host them on D17. Just tell me the dimensions you want them and possibly the max size (NOTE: I only have WMM so I can only output WMVs or uncompressed AVIs.) and your e-mail, once we resolve the previous issue of course.

Oh yeah, and my other problem is since they're in pseudo-random order, I may have missed some, despite me spending a good half hour seeing if I'd missed any. I have recorded the following:


Team17 logo anim
W2: Grenade pin mishap
Additional: UXB
W2: TV
W2: Fruit Machine
W2: Banana Bomb animation
W2: Pirates (big weapons, hammer)
Additional: Wepon crate in a minefield
Additional: Tank, tunnel + sheep
Additional: William O' Tell
W2: Baseball Bat
Additional: Treasure map + mine


That's all. Tell me if I've missed any. I've noticed the Ping Pong one from W2 hasn't appeared, is this intentional or have I not given it enough time?

[Squirminator2k]

If you're using a Tuner Card, I'd recommend a freeware program called DScaler (Google it). It's what I use to display the card's input, and it has a built-in capture feature.

Edit: The ping-pong one does appear on the PSone version (the "2" on the grenade is replaced with a Nuke symbol). I have the DC version but it's in the UK so i won't be able to check it out until my visit in November. I can always record that video from the PSone version if need be.

[Muzer]

Yeah. Have you seen any others that I didn't mention?

Downloading now, BTW :)

EDIT: I don't think I'm gonna use that, for these reasons:

The installation scared me, and since it's my dad's PC, I'm not gonna try it.
I don't know what model my tuner card is, since it came with the PC, and I don't know where to find out
It doesn't support recording video very well, according to the FAQ.

EDIT: Hmm... Is there any relatively unlossy way to convert AVIs into a smaller format? Because after importing into WMM it looks TERRIBLE, even before compressing!

EDIT yet again: Is virtual dub a decent screen capture software? Remember I'm not looking for tuner software, WMC works OKish whiuch is fine for now, just for screen capture software.

[franpa]

(NOTE: I only have WMM so I can only output WMVs or uncompressed AVIs.)

are you sure? for a 30 second movie you would be looking at close to maybe a gigabyte if you used uncompressed avi...

[Muzer]

Maybe not then. A 30sec movie is something like 200MB, with the AVI that fraps records into.

[franpa]

if you use zsnes v1.51 or later you can see how big a raw avi is :)

[bonz]

Muzer:
Use Virtual Dub for video editing instead of WMM! It can easily utilize all the codecs you've installed, like DivX or Xvid.
That should give you nice quality while keeping the filesize small.

P.S.: Check your PM inbox.

[Muzer]

Thanks a lot :)

[Squirminator2k]

I've added In Use photos to the OP, but here they are again:

The finished article
http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/inuse-1.jpg

http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/inuse-2.jpg

http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/boxart/w2/inuse-3.jpg

I'm actually thinking of doing a set of nine covers - WU, W2, WA, WWP, W3D, WFUS, W4M, WB and AdPin - with a spine that lines up to form the Worms logo. Any thoughts? I'd need scans of the WU, W3D, WFUS and WB covers, though...

[bonz]

I'm actually thinking of doing a set of nine covers - WU, W2, WA, WWP, W3D, WFUS, W4M, WB and AdPin - with a spine that lines up to form the Worms logo. Any thoughts? I'd need scans of the WU, W3D, WFUS and WB covers, though...
Very nice idea!
I can provide the Worms Blast cover.
It has the T17 and Ubisoft logos on the front though.

[Squirminator2k]

Easily worked around. Stick it in the usual place and let me know when you've done it. :)