Kotaku
Years ago, tattoos were considered quite the taboo for normal folk. They were usually reserved for the likes of bikers, thugs, sailors and circus sideshow performers. In the last ten to fifteen years, tattooing has become de rigueur amongst the alternative set, slowly spreading its inky wings to a larger part of the general populous. Even more recently, a certain subset of the gaming community has gotten on board the tattoo train and begun immortalizing their favorite video game icons on their skin, permanently embedding their love of the medium into their skin.
But not every gaming tattoo is a good gaming tattoo. We've seen some pass through the hallowed halls of Kotaku Tower that would raise your hair. From the goth speed metal Silent Hill logo to the slightly out of shape Zappers, some tattoos just make you say "What the hell were you thinking?" Fortunately, I have a wee bit of experience with tattoos. So if you're ready to take the plunge and allow needle to meet flesh, repeatedly, hit the jump for a couple of important rules.
I have seen quite a few people with gaming tattoos over the last year, some good and some bad. Whenever I see them I try and chat the person up and get an idea why it is they decided to go with a particular design. I ran into a fellow named Shane the other day who was sporting a Pac-Man tattoo. While Pac-Man is admittedly a simple design, it is also infinitely recognizable. I asked him what made him decide on a Pac-Man design and this is what he had to say.
"I just really loved that game so much. It was in integral part of my childhood. I spent a lot of time in arcades playing Pac-Man and most of my allowance went to that game. It was also a game I played with a group of very close friends on a regular basis. As I got older I would play Pac-Man in some of the bars I would go to and the rush of nostalgia was so great. So when I decided to get tattooed, I really wanted something that would remind of all those great times I had when I was younger and of those friends that I don't really see anymore."
I spoke with Rick B., a tattoo artist who has surprisingly done quite a few gaming tattoos and asked him (in his experience) what seems to be the most popular designs amongst gamers.
"The Zelda Tri-Force is a pretty popular one. I have done four or five of those, mostly due to references from the first one I did. Honestly, I didn't even know what the hell it was the first time I saw it. When the guy told me what it was I vaguely remembered watching my little brother play it when we were kids, but I was never really into video games after high school. I've also done a couple Marios, but other than that most have them have been pretty random."
We chatted a bit more and I asked him if he had ever discouraged someone from getting a gaming tattoo or just a tattoo in general.
"I don't usually make any commentary on what people choose to get on their bodies, but I do have a few rules. I won't tattoo anyone's face or anything racist. There have also been a few instances where people bring in drawings that are just a mess. I try and get them to let me clean it up but a lot of times they want what's on the paper so they get what's on the paper. I remember this guy brought in a Mario that looked like he was a melting candle. Horrible. Since then I've actually gathered some images of the more popular characters so that people who come in looking for something like that will have more spec images to draw from."
Whenever we post readers' gaming tattoos here on the site, they are always met with mixed reactions. (which is why you haven't seen mine gracing the front page until now) Some love them, some hate them, some are just ambivalent, but they always have an opinion. It seems like people tend to become extremely judgmental when it comes to what other people put on their bodies but let's face it, an ugly tattoo is an ugly tattoo. So, I thought I would take the time to give some advice to those of you who are considering getting a gaming tattoo and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls that go along with it. Some of this is just good solid advice for getting tattoos in general, but gaming tattoos can be tricky so they deserve a little special attention.
1. Make sure the art that you bring to the tattoo artist is exactly the way you want it. Be sure that all the lines are the way you want them, etc. Also be sure that the colors are correct so you don't end up with a Link wearing a teal outfit instead of his standard green. Unless of course you're going for the Four Swords look...
2. If you are not positive that this is the design you want, try it out first. On more than one occasion I have drawn a potential design on myself with a Sharpie or other non-toxic marker just to check it out. You do not want to bet that full back tattoo of Lara Croft fighting the T-rex only to discover down the road that it really wasn't what you wanted and now you feel like an idiot.
3. Try to avoid logos. I know you love Nintendo, but perhaps choosing a character or symbol might be a better choice than emblazoning their corporate identity across your body. It ends up crossing the line between what could be a nice piece of tattoo art and looking like a billboard.
4. Go somewhere with a good reputation. Cleanliness is a must. If you know people with good tatts, ask them where they got theirs. In pretty much every tattoo studio you go into, the artists will usually have a book of their work available to check out. Try to pick someone who has a style similar to what your looking for. There are not that many tattoo artists who specialize in "video game style" but for instance, someone who does good portraits might be a good choice for 3D work.
5. It's a tattoo. It will be there for the rest of your life. Are you still going to love that cute Animal Crossing character in 20 years? Is it really worth it to spend the money on that completely obscure character that you yourself might forget when you get older? Is your band's name in Rock Band so awesome that it will last the ages?
6. While this might seem to contradict the last tip, it's just as important. This is YOUR tattoo, no one else's. If you want to get the PowerGlove put on you, by all means do it, but remember that if you post it to the Internet, who knows where it will end up. And wherever it ends up, you can be sure everyone will have plenty to say about it.
Me? I have two half-sleeves (I'm tattooed from sternum to elbows on both sides and have a few on my legs), but I didn't get my first gaming related tattoo until last year. I wanted to get something gaming related, but I didn't want the Tri-force or a Mario. I was looking for something that was gaming, but wouldn't be recognized immediately by the general public. Something that only people who gamed would recognize, sort of like a secret handshake. I was also waiting for that game to come along that made enough of an impression on me to make me want to have it added to my already large collection.
That game ended up being BioShock. The tattoo was the small three link chains that your player character has on his wrists and can be seen throughout the game whenever you fire certain weapons of shoot yourself up with a plasmid. It turned out to be the perfect tattoo. Smallish, and to the untrained eye, just a simple chain but to anyone who's played BioShock, it's instantly recognizable. For me, it was the perfect blend of video games and tattooing.
Comments
The broken-star logo from No More Heroes seems very appealing for a tattoo.
I have a tattoo from a novel but somehow a gaming tattoo always seems too geeky to me. Go figure.
I often considered getting the Bioshock chains on my wrist. Never got around to it. It looks awesome though.
Your nerd level just leveled up. You learned "Pwn Nubs"
Gratz.
I was thinking of getting the logo from Sonic and Knuckles somewhere on my body, but I can't find a good place.
Bleh. Pay close attention to #5 everyone.
I've often considered getting a Triforce tattoo on my hand, but never quite sure how well it'd work out, due to having somewhat dry skin... And fear of how employers might react to tattoos (even if I am going for a position in the game industry).
You know, these are all good tips. First time I can mostly agree. I am also a bit of a tattoo snob of sorts, seeing as I have 2 full sleeves, half my back covered, both calves and a largish chest piece.
Only thing I would add is spare no expense. EVER.
Tattoo's are permanent, and make sure you get a good artist to do your work. Go by reputation and work of theirs that is older than 1 yr. to gauge if you'll be satisfied. Price should never ever come up until they ask you to pay. Better to pay $1,000 for a well done piece of ink then to pay $100 and have it look like rubbish in 3 yrs.
tattoos are addictive also. i cut myself off at 6. i could have easily ended up an inked monstrosity...ready to tell tales about how this was a .. and this was a... when I'm in the old folks home.
i think you also need to be sure you know where to get yours where it won't shrink or stretch for a good amount of time or at least until you don't care anymore. for example, getting a tattoo on your stomach or bicep.
thats cool. I was thinking about the half life symbol, but not seriously considering anything.
Haha, nice. At least the Silent Hill dog is original...
I used to want a Bloodsin from Vagrant Story...in ways I still do! I think one of the coolest gaming tattoos I've ever seen, though, is this girl who had a sprite of Mega Man jumping. :)
Why is there no love for the Silent Hill Control room dog yet? *arf arf arf*
Wow. WHY ON EARTH.. just wow. sorry, and I love my games, but why people.
@jslay012:
There we go.
Freedom2Ink is going to change a lot of these guidelines. We're going to see some wild, frivolous tattoos once that stuff hits consumers.
For those who don't know, it's a more-easily removed tattoo ink that is metabolized by the body when exposed to a special laser.
@jslay012: Yeah, but you have to explain it to all but ten people.
I've always wanted the sprite of Mario Jumping in super mario world as a tattoo. That was the first game I ever played, also the first one I ever beat.
By far Flynn`s tats has got to be the best!
I have a buddy with a ton of tattoos, and EVERY ONE of them is a good one. Here's his rule, and it's worked great for him and it's related to #5.
When you think you know exactly what tattoo you want, mark a calendar. If exactly ONE YEAR later, you still want that tattoo, then you get it.
Like I said, he has like 10 of them, and every one of them is good.
As far as video game tattoos go, I've always thought the Vagrant Story tattoo that Sydney has was pretty sweet. At least in this picture.
Sydney: (in complete ps1 jaggy glory)
[image.com.com]
Real: (could be photoshopped, but judging by slight warping of dimensions, I think it's real.)
[farm1.static.flickr.com]
i'm glad that someone is giving people some good tattoo advice other than 'don't get one'.
lots of people want tattoos, even gaming related ones, but it's good to have real advice on how to pick it, where to get it, for people who don't have any.
i know a few friends with really ugly tattoos that they will hate in 1.5 years. it's sad.
I've considered getting a metroid tattoo. Not Samus. A metroid. Most people wouldn't know what it is and would just assume its some weird creature or custom design. As far as gaming tats go, I'd say the metroid is pure class.
I love tattoos, as I'm current sporting one of my own, but I would - never - get a video game tattoo. I can imagine a man from twenty years ago with a Pac Man tattoo on his bicep.
"So... you got a yellow circle with a mouth inked permanently on your arm why?"
"I LOVE VIDEO GAMES THEY WERE SO COOL."
I just don't see it. Half the games I used to love I now find boring and lame. Good thing I wasn't old enough for a tattoo when I used to be into Pokemon....
@db9: "Woah man, sweet jellyfish tattoo!"
I'm still considering the Assassin's Creed logo.
I'm surprised you didn't recommend that you should get a custom temporary tat of the design you want, to try it out and see if you really do want it.
@chillblain: Agreed.
I was going to be an uber-dork and get a Quake symbol tattooed on my shoulder. Decided better of it.
Instead, after I graduate as a Paramedic, I'm going to get that symbol tatted on my back.
Figured if I'm going to permanently mark myself, it might as well be with something that is significant rather than a silly game series that my grandkids will have no idea about.
#5 is a good tip for any sort of tattoo.
I knew a girl in high school who got "NO RERGETS" tattooed across the back of her neck in huge black letters. Read that a couple times, and tell me if you think she will or not.
I've considered the BioShock chains a lot recently, and I'm not that big of a tattoo person. At all.
Although I don't know if I would want them as big as yours Flynn. I'm saving that photo, though, as a reference. Just in case. :-p
Red vs. Blue has a funny tattoo Point Counterpoint. You (meaning anyone) should try and find it. It's good.
I only have one tattoo, "42", I don't really have the regret of getting it, I'm just annoyed by how many people think that it has something to do with NASCAR.
@Onidavin
No offense, but ask any experienced tattoo artist about that stuff. It totally sucks, I am very good friends with 3 of them, and not a single one will use it based on the reviews of people who have.
It has very poor color, and fades very quickly. Who wants a brand new tattoo that doesn't pop? Although, there is a good chance that some street flash shops will use it seeing as they don't really do custom work to begin with.
love the silent hill dog, instant classic haha. im thinking of getting a bomberman or kunio-kun tattoo. but i dont really have enough money for things like that at the moment ='(
I'm swithering back and forth about getting some tatoos. I've got an unhealthy obsession with the number 7 so a pair of dice with 5 and 2 showing on the faces on an upper arm sounds fun. The other arm...I kinda want a Horde insignia, as a reminder of all the friends I made through years of WC3 and WoW. Mostly I want stuff that's easily hidden away under long sleeve shirts because at that point I can hide them from my mother for as long as possible (Even at 20 years old, I still fear her wrath. The woman did quality work)
Love the Bioshock chains as well. If I had the balls to wear tatoos in such a public way that'd be quite a high contender for it.
The Ace-Combat image gallery keeps linking me here. When I finally get my first tattoo, if I ever decide to do it, it will be a full back, shoulder wrap design of 1 large image, of my own creation. If I never create anything awesome enough to get it branded on my skin for life, I guess I will never get it.
That, or probably the next time I'm out drunk in Taipei and decide to do something "youthful and impulsive"
Looking more at that opening picture of what I THINK is Fox McCloud, I'm just laughing at the relation to the ear pads on the headset compared to the canine's ear. I CAN'T HEAR YOU.
@Malthius: RvB Tattoo PSA:
[www.youtube.com]
I agree, it is pretty funny.
Love the chains; as a design, and because it's a video-game-tattoo of a video-game tattoo.
I know it might be lame but i will get the triforce in my right wrist.......soonish, lol.
haha, i wanted that bioshock tattoo, maybe someday...
The dog tattoo reminds of the gag reflex okami calf tattoo.
@Ahsayuni: Not a bad idea; I have an eye on the Black Mesa logo for a shoulder design m'self, both to show my Half-luv and because BM is (fictitiously) located not far from where I grew up. Where there are mesas.
I have the chains too. Great minds, and all that. :)
@Calabast: Whenever a friend says they want a tattoo, I always show them that RvB.
I can appreciate a good tattoo, but I would never. never. get one. I've seen way too many that look like shit. I don't know if their owners are delusional or what, but they are going to be stuck with that stupid decision forever.
And even if they look good, remember #5.
Awesome article, better BioShock tattoo. Flynn gets the thumbs up of awesome.
@Calabast: Man. That had a really good way of saying it: "Take your current age. Now subtract 10 years from it. Were you smart back then? Of course you weren't. You were a god damn idiot... Now think if you had drawn a picture on yourself 10 years ago, would you be happy with it today? Chances are you wouldn't be."