I Like My Gift Wrap Nice and Shiny
It's a shame that publishers don't value physical game boxes anymore. Overtime boxes have gone from sizable cartons to small trinket boxes barely bigger than the discs themselves.
I for one, was pleased with the transition to smaller boxes. I have a habit of collecting the boxes my games come in and the small profile allows for easier storage. However, I was appalled when I bought my copy of Half-Life 2. 4 CD-ROMs in paper sleeves and nothing else. It was a far cry from the days of Baldur's Gate 2 and Icewind Dale 2 where you would receive a thick covered spiral instruction manual. Neverwinter Nights also delivered such a booklet. I remember when it was common for Japanese game releases to include t-shirts and posters. I always drooled over Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete when I saw it in stores. Dreaming of the quality package that awaited me if I ever found the funds. Needless to say, I never did -- I am without it to this day.
Konami seems to continue this tradition with Limited Edition MGS4 release but it's very uncommon. As Steam, Xbox Live Arcade, and other digital distribution systems promote digital delivery of content, it seems physical copies are slowly going out of style.
New commandment of game publishing: If you're going to sell me a box, put something in it. If all your selling me is compiled code and resources then save us both some time and only offer the title digitally. I don't want to ever open up another box to find paper sleeves and empty space.
EDIT: Apparently, the old image was moved/deleted. I officially need to re-up my images. Drop me a line if you notice this happening with some of my old posts. I'm wholeheartedly trying be less lazy about things.