HEX Update – Art of the Campaign

Hi HEXers. We continue to work diligently towards being able to announce an official release date. As of this morning, we’re close to being able to do that. We certainly understand that this is the most important piece of information for you at this time. We want to give you reliable and solid information, so we’re playing this one a little bit tighter than we have with release dates in the past. Earlier this week, PvE (which we’re calling “campaign”) began its press tour and that’ll continue through next week. So, don’t be surprised if you see your favorite video game news outlet covering campaign in the near future.

For this week’s update, we have so many people beyond the core HEX team who work on the game. There are hundreds of artists who contribute a great deal to giving Entrath life. So, let us introduce you to three talented artists who created art for the upcoming campaign.

HEX Art

Tyler James here, bringing you another fantastic Friday art feature. This time we have a triple threat. As Art Director on Hex I greatly value the illustrators we work with. When a piece of art comes in that blows our minds here at the office it motivates and inspires me to keep pushing the visual quality of Hex. The artists in this week’s feature are real rock stars and we are happy to share with you a little sneak peek into some content you’ll be seeing with the imminent launch of the campaign: Chronicles of Entrath

Grant Griffin

For the aspiring artists out there, how did you get your start as a professional artist?

To anyone aspiring to be an artist, persistence is key. It takes a ton of mileage and a healthy dose of luck.

“Success is going from failure to failure with great Enthusiasm” Winston Churchill

I got my start in the industry after graduating college with a BFA in Illustration. One of my friends put in a good word for me at a small gaming studio in Denver. They liked my work and brought me on as an intern to help illustrate cards for a new fantasy game they were developing at the time. This was a huge break for me and I made the most of it. I worked alongside their team of artists and spent the next three months in sponge mode, soaking up as much information as I could and honing my skills. Once my internship ended they hired me on as an independent contractor. I began slowly building up my client base and have been illustrating fantasy and science fiction as a freelancer for four years now. I have had the pleasure of working on many top shelf games including HEX. 😉

Are you a collector of anything?

Growing up, I collected everything: comics, baseball cards, Pokémon, and miniatures. These days I mostly hoard art supplies and keep stacks on stacks of art books.

If you were not in the art field what do you think you would be doing?

Oh man, I try not to think about it. Probably working in some dark and dreary warehouse stacking boxes. So, fingers crossed that the fantasy genre keeps gaining in popularity because I am a terrible box stacker.

Any hidden messages or meanings or reoccurring themes in your Hex art?

No reoccurring themes. I take on each illustration with a clean slate. Storytelling is the most important aspect for me. When I sit down to do an illustration I try to keep in mind “A picture is worth a thousand words”. I do my best to provide the viewer with a fanciful world in which they can escape and get lost in.

Do you have a preferred Hex race?

I have always had an affinity towards Orcs. There is something about the simplicity and overwhelming ferociousness that I love, although I have yet to paint a HEX Orc.

Interests outside of art?

Lately I have been getting into yoga; it’s always a good refresher and helps to clear the head. I highly recommend it if you’re an artist who sits on your butt all day painting. MOVE THE BODY! Other than that I am obsessed with audio stimulation, specifically audio books and podcasts. My “go-to’s” are Joe Rogan Podcast, Radiolab, and Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History.

Anyone you like to shout out to?

Shout out to Tyler James, David Pursley and the rest of the HEX crew for bringing me on board and allowing me to play in the HEX universe. Also, much love to the fans and players who make this all possible.

Do you have a favorite go-to color scheme?

I really try my best not to have a go-to color scheme and attempt to keep things varied. Having said that, I seem to lean heavily on cool pallets especially blues and teals. I also have a fondness for harsh red accents. You will often find red windswept capes and blood spatters in my paintings.

Eduardo Garcia

For the aspiring artists out there, how did you get your start as a professional artist?

I bought my first tablet around 6 years ago because I used to draw as a kid and I always wanted to become a comic artist, which was my original intention before I knew of the multiple paths a digital artist could take. After practicing by myself for roughly two years, I decided to start studying at the newly opened Digipen Bilbao. I began to post my work in places like Deviantart. Shortly after I started receiving some work offers for board-games and such, but I always had in mind that I wanted to become a Concept Artist. After sending hundreds of applications I finally started working full time at Bluebyte Ubisoft, which is where I am currently.

Are you a collector of anything?

I don’t know if this counts but I used to have a lot of Warhammer miniatures. I mostly picked whatever unit seemed the coolest from any faction, and although I painted them horribly I had a lot of fun just messing with them and creating my own stories.

If you were not in the art field what do you think you would be doing?

Well, I started studying chemistry before going into digital art, so I guess that would be my profession by now.

Any hidden messages or meanings or reoccurring themes in your Hex art?

Not really, but now that you mention it sounds like a really cool idea to start doing.

Do you have a preferred Hex race?

I have to go with Necrotic. I always love the undead theme in games, and I find very interesting the fact that there is a mysterious alien consciousness controlling the faction. There’s lots of potential for their design.

Interests outside of art?

Recently I have developed a huge interest for music. In the past I didn’t really paid that much attention at it, but lately I try to listen to a wider variety of bands, soundtracks, etc. Also when I have time I try composing my own songs.

Anyone you like to shout out to?

I would like to give a shout out to Zaragoza, now that I am far away I realize how nice and practical of a city it was…

Do you have a favorite go-to color scheme?

I love yellowy color schemes, which coincidentally isn’t very present in the illustrations I did for Hex. I think my love for yellow comes from the illustrations of Justin Sweet. It’s a very comfortable color for me.

Chuy De Leon

For the aspiring artists out there, how did you get your start as a professional artist?

I started this career path with a vision… to be very good at something. I’m still on the road there, but that inspires me to continue surpassing myself every day. That’s how some studios ended up looking at my work both for freelance and in-house jobs. I think the most important thing is to believe in oneself, and to act on it. To study, practice and always move forward.

Are you a collector of anything?

I only collect art books 😀

If you were not in the art field what do you think you would be doing?

I think I would be living in a forest (laughs). The truth is I can’t picture myself doing anything else, but if I had to work as anything it would be as a smith.

Any hidden messages or meanings or reoccurring themes in your Hex art?

I love medieval fantasy art, to create landscapes and kingdoms. Hidden messages… just the usual the secret of life, masonic symbols, common stuff 😀

Do you have a preferred Hex race?

I would have to say Orcs, but the Coyotles are awesome too

Interests outside of art? (music, sports, activities, shows?)

I love videogames, music of all kinds, having a drink with good friends

Anyone you like to shout out to?

I wanna thank all the people who directly and indirectly have supported me on this path: family, friends, clients, bosses, everyone who’s ever given me a chance to prove what I know to do

Do you have a favorite go-to color scheme?

Many palettes can work, but my personal favorite is teal and orange

Final Invitational Qualifier Slot – January 17th

This weekend is your final chance to qualify for the $100,000 HEX Invitational! The format is Constructed, so bring your best 60-card build and take your place at winning the big cash prize! Tournament time is 5 PM CET / 8 AM PST. We’ll see you there!

VIP Starts in Two Weeks!

In two weeks, you’ll have new VIP alternate art cards to win! This month we’re featuring Sealed Deck VIP tournaments.

Start times listed in CET below:

Friday: 19:00

Saturday: 04:00, 12:00, 20:00

Sunday: 03:00, 18:00

Start times listed in PST below:

Friday: 10:00 AM, 7:00 PM

Saturday: 3:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 6:00 PM

Sunday: 9:00 AM

Start times listed in EST below:

Friday: 1:00 PM, 10:00 PM

Saturday: 6:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 9:00 PM

Sunday: 12:00 PM

If you are not yet a HEX VIP and don’t want to miss out on these tournaments, you should definitely become one. Head to the in-game store and choose 1 month, 3 months, or 12 months. With your purchase, you get a pack per week of the current set plus tickets to allow entry into these events (tournament entry fees still apply). Players who sign up for the full year also get the exclusive Cerulean Mirror Knight Alternate Art sleeve! See the VIP FAQ for more information.

Gareth Kay

“Oh, hey! I was just about to step into the sparring ring. I was going to take a few whacks at a practice dummy, but you’ll do! I don’t mean to call you a dummy, I just mean it’s better to practice against a live person than a block of wood with a hat on it. You know that’s what I meant, right?”

This week’s Friday card feature introduces us to Gareth Kay. Gareth’s role is to guide humans through their early class training. He’s the comforting hand on your shoulder as you explore your first dungeon. There’s danger and excitement around every corner, but Gareth is there to make sure this first dungeon isn’t your last. You’ll eventually add his card to your collection, and then he doesn’t just look out for you– he can protect your entire army. Just as he’s there for you in the beginning, Gareth Kay will be with you each step in your journey to becoming a hero in Entrath.

hat’s all for this week. Please leave any questions or comments in the forums, and don’t forget to Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitch, and register on our forums.

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