The trouble with art assets and cohesiveness

A huge problem programming oriented game developers like us face is regarding art assets. They are the yin to the yang of game programming - they complete the experience of the game, and without them there'd barely be a game.

So when programmers look at art assets, they have difficulty as how to acquire them. While commissioning art is a good idea - not many of the really small indies can afford to have custom art commissioned for them.  The following are some of the issues with commissioning art -

• Commissioned art - in general, is quite expensive for indies. Art forms the heart and soul of the game - so it is only logical that it be a major part of the games' budget. However, many games are actually made on a shoestring budget.