Exploring the Creative Vision, Challenges, and Evolution of a Groundbreaking TCG

In the ever-growing world of trading card games (TCGs), Altered has emerged as a fresh and innovative title that blends stunning art with deep strategic gameplay. At the heart of its artistic vision is Max, the game’s Art Director, whose creative leadership has helped shape the game’s unique aesthetic.

In this exclusive interview, Max takes us behind the scenes of Altered, sharing insights into the artistic vision, collaborative process, challenges faced, and the exciting future of the game. Whether you’re a player, a game design enthusiast, or an aspiring artist, this conversation sheds light on the passion and precision that go into crafting a TCG from the ground up.

1. Max’s Journey: From Concept Artist to Art Director

Max’s path to becoming an Art Director was anything but conventional. His journey began in video game development, where he worked on mobile games—an experience he describes as a nightmare. Frustrated by the lack of creativity in mobile game production, he decided to pivot towards pre-production and concept art.

Without the funds for formal high-end training, he and a friend built their own curriculum, spending over a year practicing 8 to 10 hours a day, refining their artistic skills. This dedication led him to freelance work at Ubisoft and, eventually, to the opportunity of a lifetime: an offer from Equinox to become an Art Director at just 26 years old.

“When they first contacted me, I thought it was a scam,” Max admits. “I quoted a salary I thought was fair, and they countered with a higher offer, saying the job’s responsibilities required it. That’s when I knew these people wanted to do things right.”

Despite the daunting responsibility of leading a team for the first time, Max was ready. Years of studying under experienced Art Directors had prepared him for the challenge.

2. The Vision Behind Altered’s Art Direction

From the very beginning, the team behind Altered knew they wanted to create something fresh—not just another TCG. They identified key industry gaps:

• Many TCGs had not evolved significantly in 25 years.
• The majority of players were male, leaving untapped potential in broader audiences.
• Games often felt repetitive and overly complex, limiting accessibility.

With these insights, the team defined Altered’s core artistic pillars:

✅ Modern – The art must match the standards of the best games today.
✅ Accessible – Clarity is key; illustrations should clearly convey card types and actions.
✅ Sensible – The artwork should evoke strong emotions and immersion.
✅ Optimistic – The world of Altered should feel hopeful and imaginative, not just another battleground.

These principles shaped everything—from the illustrations and character designs to the card layouts and UI elements.

3. Art Meets Game Design: A Seamless Collaboration

One of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of Max’s role is ensuring that art and gameplay mechanics work together seamlessly.

Each new expansion follows a structured development cycle spanning 18 months:

1️⃣ Morning Phase (Pre-Production) – The game designers, lore writers, and art team brainstorm ideas together, exploring new themes, mechanics, and artistic directions.
2️⃣ Afternoon Phase (Production) – The game designers refine mechanics, while the art team creates illustrations based on evolving card designs.
3️⃣ Dusk Phase (Finalization & Printing) – Final artwork is exported, reviewed, translated, and sent to the printing factory.

At any given moment, the team is simultaneously working on four different sets, each at a different stage in this cycle.

“It’s a constant balance,” Max explains. “We need to give the artists enough freedom to create, while also ensuring that the art fits the gameplay vision.”

4. Overcoming the Challenges of a New TCG

The road to success wasn’t smooth. Early on, the biggest challenge was attracting high-quality artists. Since Altered was a new and unknown project, many seasoned illustrators ignored the team’s emails.

To combat this, Max and his team implemented fair and transparent artist policies:

🎨 Equal Pay – Artists were paid the same regardless of their country or experience.
🎨 Flexible Workloads – Established illustrators could take on multiple cards, while newcomers could work at their own pace.
🎨 Long-Term Collaboration – Instead of hiring artists on a one-off basis, the team fostered ongoing relationships with them.

This approach not only attracted talented artists but also built a loyal and dedicated art community.

Beyond hiring, technical challenges loomed—especially in printing and production.

“When we submitted our first batch of illustrations to the printer, we realized too late that our formatting had downgraded the resolution of every single card.”

Faced with a 10-hour deadline, the team worked through the night, fixing over 400 illustrations before the files were finalized.

“Moments like that are terrifying, but they make us better.”

5. The Evolution of Character Design and Diversity

One of the most impressive aspects of Altered is its commitment to diverse and inclusive character design.

Instead of defaulting to the industry norm of muscular white male heroes, the team took a deliberate approach:

✨ Gender balance – Ensuring equal representation of male, female, and non-binary characters.
✨ Ethnic diversity – Depicting characters from a wide range of backgrounds.
✨ Body types – Moving beyond unrealistic standards and embracing varied physiques.

This philosophy extends to the design of factions. Each faction isn’t just about colors and symbols—they represent distinct cultures, values, and worldviews.

“When a new expansion is developed, we don’t just create new cards—we explore how each faction would interpret that theme. That’s what keeps the world of Altered so rich and immersive.”

6. Looking Ahead: The Future of Altered

With Altered gaining momentum, Max and the team are already planning future innovations:

🔹 Digital integration – Finding ways to bridge physical and digital TCG mechanics.
🔹 New competitive formats – Experimenting with tournaments that reward faction loyalty as well as individual skill.

“We’re just getting started,” Max says. “The next few years will be crucial. If we survive the next two years, I believe Altered will redefine what a TCG can be.”

Conclusion: A Game Built on Passion and Precision

From concept art to production, every aspect of Altered is crafted with an obsessive attention to detail. Max’s journey—from a struggling freelancer to art director of a major TCG—is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and leadership.

For fans of the game, this interview reveals a deeper truth: Altered isn’t just a card game—it’s a living, breathing world meticulously built by artists, designers, and visionaries.

As the game continues to evolve, one thing is certain—the art of Altered will only get better.