Dead Island's US release to feature toned-down cover art

News by Brenna Hillier Contributor

Published on March 22, 2011

Techland's zombie survival title Dead Island will sport two different covers: one featuring a hanged figure, and the other the more acceptable upright-and-lurching zombie.

Publisher Deep Silver told IGN the change only applies to the game's box art, and not the logo as it appears in game.

The original cover, which will be the version released in Europe, shows a humanoid figure hanging from a palm tree. It's not clear whether this figure is a human or a zombie.

The version to see the light of day in the US, however, is almost definitely one of the undead, shuffling along unharmed. Well, beyond being a zombie.

Although multiple reports are citing ESRB intervention as the motivating factor for the multiple covers, the ratings body has issued no comment, and there has been no confirmed report. We've reached out to Deep Silver for clarification.

Dead Island roared back into consumer consciousness with a viral trailer, and is due for release on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this year.

Thanks, Kotaku.