Seriously, the art is sensational. I almost don't need a game what with the art this good. Take my money, already. You may also have my firstborn child.
I've been led to understand that they don't have any positions open at the moment, and so do not require your firstborn child. However: http://www.cardhunter.com/team/ . . . and: http://www.cardhunter.com/2011/10/the-evolving-art-style-of-card-hunter/ . . . will answer some of your questions.
I don't know if Ben would immediately say "no" to offerings of first born children - imagine the army one could create
Careful, don't overinflate his ego! I mean I love the art direction of this game, but it's not like it's all super gorgeous, it's not like he's Rob Alexander, Mark Tedin or Ron Spencer or something.
*puts on Captain Obvious cape* People's preferences in art are really subjective - one person's Rob Alexander is another person's Thomas Kinkade. I for one would put Caravaggio in the "super gorgeous" category (although resurrecting him to do the art for this game would be disastrous - he'd probably borrow money for booze, get drunk, punch up Ben and Jon and then seduce some prostitutes while running away from the Mafia...) All that aside, I reckon Ben has executed the balance of nostalgia, humour and quirkiness that the game is all about perfectly.
Not disagreeing on any of your points. But what I am saying is that much of the art for this game while competent, is simplistic, which is fine because it fits the game. Doesn't sound like there's going to be possible to mod this, but if it was, I could probably make some stuff that mimics the existing game art. It would just take me longer to draw it than it would Ben. (I'm not exaggerating, in fact I had planned to make some such drawings already). The thing is, those guys we both mentioned are beyond my skill to emulate. while the game art isn't.
I think we belong to different schools of thought - which is fine . Personally, I don't think the replicability of a work of art is the sole indicator of an artist's skill and talent or lack thereof - the 'freaking genius' part usually comes before any pen is put to paper. Just look at examples of Chinese calligraphy art. Give me some tracing paper and I could probably copy it or make something that looks like it - but I definitely wouldn't know where to start. I could go on - but it feels weird to get all art history on this forum
I didn't mean replicate the piece, but replicate the style, and use it to make something new that fits in. The style is very reminiscent of old RPG books, although with a parody slant, it's not a difficult style to make more of. It's certainly a smart theme, and I love it, but the art quality is still (perhaps by design) middling, rather than exceptional. In fact I'm sure Ben can draw better than he uses for this game.
I really dig the art for this. I see it as a a throw back to the (often horrible) artwork in old D&D. The art isnt' flashy, but does such an incredible job of setting the tone and theme of CardHunters. The humor comes across well, and it just makes for a nice inconic looking interface. Just seeing images of it made me want to investigate the game further. It sounds like that was also the general reaction by the people at PAX.
