Can I re-use the images on several cards?

@scifiantihero:
Agree on resizing/cutting as a method to get more art out of the same art work, but we can't do it because of the original resolution of the works.

@pastor:
You're right - there needs to be cleared difference between the different types of event cards. Will fix, probably by using different colors for the box that has the letters.

I'm not sure I fully understand your thoughts on the weight of the art in the overall card template: We're talking about the event cards now, right? (Yellow ones, small artwork).

We have a delicate problem of lacking art for event cards and this was my first attempt on a "solution" to it. The problem is that while most in here seem to find it satisfying enough for it to not be seen as a problem, I fear that common CCG people will not tolerate the approach since they're accustomed to unique art on ever card/no art re-usage.

Biggest problem with the re-usage, as was pointed out by Trevor elsewhere on the net, is the fact that it makes the cards harder to recognize. Artwork is _iconic_ in ccg:s and makes identifying a card very easy once you learn to associate the art work with the cards effect. If we re-use art that will be much harder to do - when you see the art work you know that x number of cards use it, but you can't possibly know which card it is you're holding in your hand unless you are forced to read the name of the card. And I think this is a major problem...

Here is the way I've tried to solve it:

http://www.ubuntu-pics.de/bild/48323/testsetcolored_Ul1RhH.png

Solutions 3 & 4 are the ones I'm in personally in favor of: They solve the problem - by just looking at the card art the player would know what type of event card it is (A, T or C) and also properly use the card art as icon to identify what the card actually does, much like any unique card art would work.

i) You are right that I could come by _something_. I've had great experience of "art-begging" in the past, and usually, the greater the art the less likely you get to use it. I have event kept statistics of my attempts, and my experience, after contacting hundreds of artists, is that about 2-5% will be interested. This can of course depend on the community, on the "begging" and a lot of other factors. Let's just say it's a tedious task and that it usually amounts to nothing good if you have any specific standards or special criteria for the project.

ii) The fact that we're GPL licensed makes art begging much much harder as most artists either want to sell their rights or keep them. In our case none of those options are functional.

iii) Speaking of which: I want the game to be _coherent_. I don't want random styles/artists/artwork all mashed up. I know many CCG:s do it that way, but this particular game should not. It's an purely aesthetical decision. Personally I also relate it to quality. (Not saying using stock doesn't lead to quality. Just that mixing much stock easily causes problems.) In any case I rather have a game with my above solutions than one which relies on a combo of good luck and charity.

iv) If the game is any good I would happily hire artists or buy stylistically compatible artwork. At this point it's too early to invest money in the project. To me the most important part of the game is the rules. Theme comes later on, and I'm not all too worried about it becoming a non-solvable problem. Even though I appreciate all the advise and great input from you guys I'm confident the art related problems will be solved in one way or another. A part of that solution is "how do we make this work, the best way possible, with _what we actually got_?" :)