More appropriate art choices?

By cody campbell, in X-Wing

Hey guys-

Kind of a random topic, but I'm wondering: do you think FFG has made the best choices regarding card art?

For example, Push the Limit and Adrenaline Rush. I realize they were released at different times, so I have the advantage of hindsight, but I think they should have been switched.

-Adrenaline Rush has a Tie pilot literally "pushing" his ship to the limit (hence the sparks flying around his cockpit)

-Push the Limit shows an A-Wing performing a daring maneuver across the front of an Interceptor.

To me, these pieces of art don't accurately depict the action their cards describe.

On a related note, what are your thoughts on pilot cards having pictures of the ships, rather than the pilots? Initially, I thought maybe avoiding using the likeness of actors or copyrighted characters, however we're getting all the actors as crew cards. Personally, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it's cool to see art of the different ships in action. On the other, no one knows Ibtisam and Ten Numb aren't human unless you look up the character. Also, I'd like to get a closer look at E-Wing pilot's helmet and gear.

Made up pilots (like Whisper and Echo) could also get identities outside of their pilot abilities.

What do you guys think??

Unlike other companies, FFG uses their artwork in several places. I believe almost ALL of the art that FFG uses in X-Wing is used throughout their Star Wars product lines. So the LCG, the Role-Playing games, and of course, X-Wing. So as their library of products grows, so does their library of original artwork.

So the art based on Adeline Rush may not have been drawn by their art department at the time of release of the Push the Limit card.

That does offer up an interesting idea though, with all of the alternate art pilot cards, would FFG ever consider alternate art upgrade cards?

Good question!

For example, Push the Limit and Adrenaline Rush.

Push the Limit came with the A-Wing Expansion pack, Adrenaline Rush came with the Tie Bomber pack. I'm sure that's part of it.

On a related note, what are your thoughts on pilot cards having pictures of the ships, rather than the pilots??

I'd rather have the ship I think. The game is IMO anyway more about the ships then the people piloting them. Especially when so many still use generic pilots like Red Squad or Avenger Squad.

I don't care at all for the "collector" cards or whatever you want to call them. I don't like the movie stills. I would much prefer cool art than just a still.

Armada has art of the pilots for their squadrons. I wish it was like that in X-Wing.

This was taken at GenCon I assume:

StarWarsArmada07.jpg

In the case of pilot/ship cards, I would not mind if one side had the ship and stats that we are used to and the other a picture of the pilot with his bio (with a colored border to help distinguish imperial from rebel). In the heat of battle, however, I admit that I prefer seeing the ship on the card itself rather than the face of a character. It just makes things more instinctive (and I don't mix my dials around).

I don't care at all for the "collector" cards or whatever you want to call them. I don't like the movie stills. I would much prefer cool art than just a still.

Armada has art of the pilots for their squadrons. I wish it was like that in X-Wing.

This was taken at GenCon I assume:

StarWarsArmada07.jpg

This is cool. For me, since the combat is on an individual level, I would love to see more faces or customized helmets, squadron markings, etc.

I prefer having pictures of the ship. As has been said by others, I really see the game as more about the ships than the pilots. I do wish the named pilots had some flavor text on them though. Really liked the idea above of having art and flavor on the card backs, make use of that space instead of a logo that no one ever looks at.

I always found it weird that a certain person you can't even tell in a ship makes such a big difference.