Video Game Marketing Devolved After 2016

Contrast and Color: The bold red text 'LIES' and 'MARKETING' stand out sharply against the grayscale background. This use of color grabs attention and highlights key themes.
Text Placement: The words 'LIES OR MARKETING' are placed centrally, making them immediately visible and prompting curiosity with their accusatory tone.
Imagery: The person depicted is having their mouth covered with what appears to be duct tape, suggesting themes of silence or censorship, which are powerful and provocative.
Title Relation: The title 'Video Game Marketing Devolved After 2016 | Cold Take' links to the thumbnail by implying a critical or challenging perspective ('Cold Take') on video game marketing practices post-2016. The use of 'devolved' suggests a decline or negative change, echoed by the imagery and words on the thumbnail.
Branding: The text 'COLD TAKE' on the left, paired with a distinctive logo, suggests a series or a style of content familiar to returning viewers, potentially boosting clickability.

Video Game Marketing Devolved After 2016 | Cold Take