> Problems arise when it comes time to convey to a non-artist what constitutes quality art.
The first mistake is selling art to non-artists. The general population buys games for entertainment, and similar to any art (music, movies, paintings) for entertainment, it is rarely the most artistic that is selected.
> The shoddy SFIV received a higher art score than one of the best looking games to date, and I believe it’s all due to a pixel tax.
The second mistake is believing IGN, or the general consumer, is evaluating the art when they explicitly state “graphics”.
There’s a place for pixel art - even for ascii art (<3 df), but you have to be ready to not be loved by people that aren’t interested in “art,” but entertainment.